This issue was discussed during a working visit to Turkey by Moldovan Defense Minister Anatolie Nosat and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economic Development and Digitalization Eugen Osmocescu. The ministers participated in the first Moldovan-Turkish meeting on cooperation in the defense industry, held in Ankara and Istanbul.
During the forum, separate meetings were held with Turkish Defense Minister Yaşar Güler, Trade Minister Ömer Bolat, and the Chairman of the Turkish Defense Industries Directorate (SSB), Haluk Gergün.
Partnership in Military Technology
The Moldovan Ministry of Defense notes Turkey’s significant experience in the production of military hardware and equipment, as well as surveillance and air defense systems. Indeed, Turkey ranked 11th among the world’s largest arms suppliers for the 2021–2025 period, according to a report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). Turkey’s share of global arms exports increased from 0.9% in 2016–2020 to 1.8% in 2021–2025. The Turkish military is the second-largest in NATO.
The parties agreed to explore opportunities for joint projects that will promote industrial cooperation and strengthen the Republic of Moldova’s defense capabilities.
The Moldovan delegation’s itinerary also included visits to several major companies in the Turkish defense industry to assess opportunities for cooperation and the development of new partnerships.
Bilateral trade exceeded $1 billion
During a meeting with Turkish Minister of Trade Ömer Bolat, the parties agreed to intensify efforts to increase mutual investment and expand economic cooperation, as well as to develop new areas of partnership in the fields of technology and the defense industry.
According to the Turkish Ministry of Trade, the volume of bilateral trade between the two countries exceeded $1 billion in 2025. Mutual investments are also growing: the volume of Turkish investments in Moldova amounts to $53 million, while the volume of investments by Moldovan companies in Turkey is approximately $2 million.
It is also reported that 1,154 Turkish companies operate in Moldova, while 278 companies with Moldovan capital are registered in Turkey.
The parties agreed to expand cooperation in the investment sector by utilizing existing investor support mechanisms. In addition, the importance of Turkish construction companies’ activities in Moldova was noted: in recent years, they have completed 55 projects with a total value of $756 million.
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