Naval chief awarded Turkiye’s prestigious Legion of Merit

ANKARA: Naval chief Admiral Naveed Ashraf undertook an official visit to Turkiye during which he was conferred the prestigious Legion of Merit by the Turkish Armed Forces.

The award was presented by Commander of the Turkish Naval Forces Admiral Ercument Tatlioglu in recognition of Admiral Ashraf’s efforts to strengthen defence ties and maritime cooperation between the two brotherly countries. Upon his arrival at the Turkish Naval Forces Headquarters Admiral Ashraf was presented a guard of honour and subsequently called on the Commander of the Turkish Naval Forces Admiral Ercument Tatlioglu.

During the meeting, both the dignitaries discussed matters of professional interest focusing on enhanced collaboration between the two navies.

During the visit, the Navy chief also called on Minister of National Defence Yasar Guler, Chief of the General Staff General Metin Gurak and Commander of Turkish Navy Fleet Admiral Kadir Yildiz.

These high level engagements included discussions on regional maritime security and bilateral defence cooperation.

Admiral Ashraf emphasised the need for increased interaction between the two armed forces through joint exercises, mutual visits and training and exchange programmes.

Later, the Navy chief visited Istanbul Naval Shipyard where he called on the Commander of the Shipyard and received a detailed briefing on Pakistan Navy’s MILGEM project -- a flagship initiative in bilateral defence collaboration. He also visited Golcuk Naval Base where he observed cutting edge submarine design and construction facilities.

Admiral Ashraf also visited the Turkish naval vessels TCG Orucreis and S M Pirireis as well as the National Defence University in Turkiye.

He also called on the Commander of the North Sea Area and laid a wreath at the mausoleum of Turkiye’s founder Mustafa Kemal Ataturk as a mark of respect.

The Navy chief’s visit is expected to play a pivotal role in further strengthening and expanding defence relations between Pakistan and Turkiye as the two nations are bound by deep rooted historical, cultural and strategic ties.