Following the cabinet change announced by Prime Minister Mr. Binali Yıldırım, the handover ceremony was organized at the Ministry of National Defense. 

In his speech at the ceremony, Mr. Fikri Işık stated that he is handing over his task as the Minister of National Defense to Mr. Canikli to whom he trusts with his governmental experience and political knowledge. At the conclusion of his speech Mr. Fikri Işık wished success to the newly appointed Mr. Nurettin Canikli.

Wishing good luck at the beginning of his speech, Mr. Nurettin Canikli stated that these changes triggered the emergence of an active management structure. Mr. Canikli, referring to the importance of the homeland defense, continued his words as follows: “Without harming the interests of the country, these lands as a whole must be defended. Our Turkish Armed Forces must always remain strong in this sense. It has to remain strong in every aspect, it must be strong.”

Following the speeches, National Defense Minister Mr. Nurettin Canikli presented a plaque to the Deputy Prime Minister Mr. Fikri Işık, and expressed his gratitude for his services and conveyed his wish for success in his new post.

Nurettin Canikli Biography

Mr. Nurettin Canikli, was born on the 15th of May in 1960 in Alucra, Giresun province of Turkey. He completed his early education in Alucra. He later studied in the Giresun Religious Vocational High School between 1974 and 1978. In 1978, he began studying in the Faculty of Political Sciences at Ankara University and received his bachelor’s degree in Economics and Finance in 1982.

He was appointed as assistant auditor at the Ministry of Finance in 1982 and was promoted to the auditor position in 1985 after passing a proficiency exam. Following the compulsory military service, in 1989, he started his studies at Sheffield University in the UK, and received his master’s degree in banking, money and finance in 1991.

He was promoted to chief auditor in 1993 and served as the Director of the DG Revenues, followed by his subsequent promotion to Deputy DG in 1996. He was appointed as the Istanbul provincial treasurer in 1997.

He published various daily articles on the Economy and Finance in the national newspaper ‘Yeni Şafak’ between 1997 and 2002.

He is a member of the founders’ council of the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) and was elected as a Member of Parliament from the province of Giresun during the general elections on 3 November 2002. He served as the MP of the province of Giresun during the 22nd, 23rd and 24th terms.

During the 22nd term, he served as the Deputy Chairman for Social Affairs of the AK Party and the Director of the Commission for State Economic Enterprises of the Turkish Grand National Assembly. He also held the Group Deputy Chairman position of the AK Party during the 23rd and 24th terms.

Mr. Canikli served as the Minister of Customs and Trade for the 62nd Government.

Following the elections on 1 November 2015, he was reappointed as the Group Deputy Chairman of the AK Party.

Mr. Canikli served as the Deputy Prime Minister in the 65th Government.

Mr. Canikli was appointed as Defense Minister in the 65th Government.

Mr. Nurettin Canikli is married with four children and he speaks English.