Yusuf Soykan Bal and Seyit Kurt
08 October 2026•Update: 08 October 2026
Türkiye and France have signed a roadmap aimed at developing bilateral defense and security ties and placing existing cooperation on a more institutional footing, the Turkish National Defense Ministry said on Thursday.
The roadmap was signed "with the aim of developing relations between Türkiye and France in the fields of defense and security on the basis of mutual interests and establishing the existing cooperation on a more institutional footing," ministry spokesperson Zeki Akturk told a weekly press briefing in Kocaeli.
Under the roadmap, the two countries plan to hold regular consultations on defense and security issues and deepen cooperation in combating hybrid threats, intelligence sharing and air defense, while improving interoperability between their systems.
It envisages increased joint training, personnel exchange programs between military academies, port visits and joint exercises involving land, naval and air forces.
The two sides also aim to develop joint projects and business opportunities in the defense industry, encourage information and technology sharing, and increase contacts between their defense companies.
Meetings under the roadmap are expected to be held alternately in Paris and Ankara, with the first planned for the final quarter of 2026, subject to agreement between the sides.
Mecca defense agreement
The spokesperson also addressed the Strategic Political and Defense Committee meeting of the Mecca defense agreement held in Riyadh on Oct. 5, saying regional developments and collective defense measures were discussed.
The meeting, he said, determined the initial structure of the alliance's secretariat and discussed a framework for developing defense industry cooperation.
"Necessary measures for the provision and deployment to Saudi Arabia of the agreed military forces and capabilities were discussed," the spokesperson said. "The process concerning the military forces and capabilities that may be provided by our country will be carried out in accordance with our Constitution and relevant legislation."
Israel's actions in region
Akturk also criticized Israel's actions in the region, saying they were contributing to heightened tensions.
He said Israel continued raids on residential areas, arbitrary detentions, land border violations, and air and artillery attacks in southern Syria.
"Turning a blind eye to violations and provocations by illegal Israeli settlers and extremist Jews targeting holy sites is also escalating tensions in the region," Akturk said.
He called on the international community to take "concrete and determined steps" against Israeli government policies and actions that he said were obstructing peace and stability in the region.
