Latest news with #CevdetYılmaz
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Balkan military leaders summit signals calm in a conflict-prone region
ISTANBUL — Amid renewed geopolitical friction in Europe, Balkan military leaders met in Istanbul to reaffirm their cooperation, offering rare show of unity in a region still shadowed by historic tensions. On May 28, Turkey hosted the 18th Balkan Chiefs of Defence (CHODs) Conference in Istanbul. Military leaders from Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Greece, North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, and Montenegro gathered alongside observers from Slovenia and Croatia. Also in attendance were the chairman of NATO's Military Committee and the deputy commander of NATO's Joint Force Command Naples. At first glance, this might appear as just another high-level military meeting, but both its symbolism and timing are significant. The Balkans — historically one of Europe's most conflict-prone regions — are once again at the geopolitical forefront amid the ongoing war in Ukraine, escalating tensions between NATO and Russia, and evolving U.S. security commitments in Europe. Turkish officials used the platform to present plans for establishing a NATO Centre of Excellence for Countering Unmanned Threats, underscoring growing global concerns over the strategic use of drones and autonomous systems in modern warfare — from the Donbas region to the Red Sea. During the conference, participants reviewed the outcomes of recent multinational military education programs and exercises hosted by Turkey, including Special Forces training and computer-assisted command post drills. Progress since the last summit was assessed through an evaluation of coordination and working group activities, including the endorsement of annual reports and operational results from joint exercises. Attendees reaffirmed their shared commitment to deepening military ties, broadening existing cooperation, and exploring new avenues for collaboration. Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz also delivered a speech at the conference. In the Balkans, nationalist tensions can smolder for years and quickly spiral out of control. The ability of countries with long-standing disputes to sit at the same conference table is crucial for preventing miscommunication and fostering predictability among neighbors. Among the participants, Bosnia-Herzegovina, a member of NATO's Partnership for Peace program, and Serbia — the only non-NATO country — stood out. Serbia, which traditionally maintains close ties with Russia, was bombed by NATO members a little more than a quarter-century ago. The presence of senior NATO commanders sent a clear message of commitment to maintaining military dialogue despite deep-rooted historical and political divisions. Officials confirmed that Greece will host the 19th Balkan CHODs Conference in 2026, continuing the tradition of rotating venues to encourage inclusivity and shared responsibility for regional security. To close the event, Turkish Chief of General Staff Gen. Metin Gürak, along with NATO and Balkan military leaders, visited the Baykar Özdemir Bayraktar National Technology Center — showcasing Turkey's growing defense-industrial ambitions and its leadership role in the region.
Zawya
08-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Iraq's Development Road to link Gulf with Europe
Iraq's planned Development Road aims to connect Gulf countries to Europe through an extensive rail corridor, Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz has said. In an interview with Qatar's Al Sharq newspaper, Yılmaz said the initiative envisions the movement of more goods from India, South Asia, and the Gulf region to Iraq's southern al-Faw port, then northward through Turkey and onward to Europe. The project may also include oil and gas pipelines in the future, he said, adding that approximately 1,200 kilometres of highways and railways are planned to stretch from Al-Faw to the Turkish border. Yılmaz noted that the project, which also includes a parallel motorway, will create a land and rail bridge linking Asia and Europe. Iraq's Shafaq News agency said that construction has not yet begun but the project is expected to be completed in 2030, with an estimated total cost of $20 billion. "The initial design has been completed, and the feasibility study is largely finished," Yılmaz said. "We have shared our feedback on the feasibility report with the Iraqi side, and we are now awaiting clarity from Iraq on execution and financing. In April last year, Iraq, Turkey, Qatar and UAE signed an agreement to cooperate on the $17 billion mega project. (Writing by Nadim Kawach; Editing by Anoop Menon)
Shafaq News
07-05-2025
- Business
- Shafaq News
Development Road to link Gulf to Europe via Iraq and Turkiye, official
Shafaq News/ Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz revealed that the Development Road Project aims to connect Gulf countries to Europe through an extensive rail corridor. In an interview with Qatar's Al Sharq newspaper, Yılmaz said the initiative envisions the movement of goods from India, South Asia, and the Gulf region to Iraq's southern al-Faw port, then northward through Turkiye and onward to Europe. The project may also include oil and gas pipelines in the future, he added, noting that approximately 1,200 kilometers of highways and railways are planned to stretch from al-Faw to the Turkish border. Yılmaz confirmed that the Development Road, which will pass through Turkish and Gulf territory, will create a land and rail bridge linking Asia and Europe. While the project officially launched in early 2022, construction has not yet begun. Completion is expected by 2030, with an estimated total cost of $20B. "The initial design has been completed, and the feasibility study is largely finished," Yılmaz said. "We have shared our feedback on the feasibility report with the Iraqi side, and we are now awaiting clarity from Iraq on execution and financing."
