Defense industry cooperation between Türkiye and Finland is expected to expand, along with other fields, within NATO’s framework, according to Turkish Ambassador to Helsinki Deniz Çakar recently.
Çakar stated that the tech startup conference Slush 2024, held in Helsinki on Wednesday and Thursday, was one of the most comprehensive events in its field. She noted that Turkish tech startups have been growing in number each year, with around 40 participants during the event's inaugural year.
"This year, the number of participants from Türkiye reached around 400, including students and entrepreneurs, and this was made possible by the support of the Turkish government and its development agencies,” Çakar told Anadolu Agency (AA).
She also highlighted the trade relations between Türkiye and Finland, noting that the trade volume between the two countries reached 2.1 billion euros ($2.2 billion) in 2023.
"The figure for the first eight months of this year was around 1.2 billion euros, and we estimate it will reach 2 billion euros by the end of the year, so we expect a similar figure to last year,” the ambassador added.
"The first meeting of the Türkiye-Finland Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO) was held in Türkiye in 2022, and the second meeting will take place in February 2025. We will host the Turkish trade minister and a large delegation, and such visits will significantly contribute to developing trade relations. Finnish companies have shown interest, and Turkish firms bring opportunities in areas like green transformation, renewable energy, and digitalization,” she said.
Çakar noted that relations between Türkiye and Finland have reached a new dimension since Finland’s NATO membership, advancing steadily.
"Türkiye-Finland relations are at their best this year as we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the start of our relations. Increasing cooperation in the defense industry, among other fields, benefits both countries,” she said.
"We hosted the Finnish president twice in the past two years, and our relations have advanced through regular mechanisms, including on matters of terrorism, with interior, justice and foreign affairs ministries, as well as the permanent joint mechanism established during the NATO membership process,” she added.
Çakar pointed out that the increased meeting traffic benefits both countries as they "understand each other much better" and work toward overcoming challenges.
Regarding technology and investment opportunities, the ambassador stated that Finland serves as a gateway to global markets, and the Slush 2024 conference presented an opportunity for "tech-oriented young people and entrepreneurs in Türkiye." The Turkish Embassy in Finland is focused on fostering cooperation between Turkish and Finnish firms.
Çakar emphasized that Finland is impressed by Türkiye’s efforts in certain regions, encouraging Finnish authorities and the business community to cooperate, invest and work with Türkiye in Central Asia and Africa.
"The Turkish contracting sector continued operations in Ukraine without interruptions, even during the war period, and its knowledge-based support creates room for cooperation with the Finnish contracting sector, which we expect,” she said.
"Developing and deepening Türkiye-Finland relations through more mutual meetings in trade and economy, as well as within the military cooperation framework, will provide endless opportunities and benefits to both countries,” she concluded.
