Ayşe AKALIN Publisher & Editor in Chief

Under SSM’s leadership, 42 Turkish Defence companies attended to IDEX 2007, the 8th International Defence Industry Exhibition conducted in Abu Dhabi-United Arab Emirates between 18-22 February 2007, on an area of 3000 m2 as the “Turkish Pavillion”. Minister of National Defence H.E. M.Vecdi GÖNÜL and Undersecretary for Defence Industries Murad BAYAR were officially invited to the exhibition by BAE. The Turkish delegation headed by Minister H.E. M. Vecdi GÖNÜL conducted intense bilateral negotiations with more than 20 official delegations (comprising of senior level officials as Defence Minister, Chief of General Staff, Undersecretary) from 17 participating countries (Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Afghanistan, Oman, Malaysia, Republic of South Korea, South Africa, Egypt, Finland, Norway, Ukraine, Jordan, Kuwait, Iraq, Bulgaria) during the exhibition. The Turkish delegation had official discussions with General Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al NAHYAN (Abu Dhabi Crown Prince) and other senior level officials. On the other hand Turkey was given an award for having the largest exhibit space among national pavilions at IDEX 2007. The award was given by the UAE Armed Forces GHQ and ADNEC (Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company).