Netherlands to extend Patriot deployment mission in TurkeyAugust 27, 2014 - 11:08 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Although the Netherlands has decided to end its contribution to NATO’s deployment of Patriot anti-ballistic missile systems in Turkey at the end of January, the alliance’s deployments will continue, Hürriyet Daily News reported, citing a Turkish diplomat. The official said the U.S. and Germany plan to extend the mission for one more year. The Dutch House of Representatives announced that the Dutch government has decided not to extend the Patriot missiles mission in Turkey. Noting the threat of attacks from Syria to Turkey is not completely over, the Netherlands also said NATO would continue its efforts to protect Turkey. Turkish diplomats held meetings with their Dutch counterparts in The Hague and Ankara, while another meeting took place in Brussels among NATO allies to discuss the Netherlands’ decision, the diplomat told the HDN. The Dutch government cited problems in providing personnel resources to operate the Patriot systems in Turkey and the need for “comprehensive maintenance” for the batteries, which they said could only be provided in its headquarters, according to the diplomat. The Netherlands, Germany and the U.S. each sent two Patriot missile batteries and soldiers to operate them in early 2013, in response to a request from NATO ally Turkey for protection against attacks from Syria. There is no problem with the contribution to NATO’s Patriot batteries by Germany and the U.S., the diplomat said, adding the Alliance will discuss ways to replace the Dutch batteries. Germany, the U.S. and the Netherlands have been extending the one-year deployment mission since 2013, but no time limit for the mission was set. Shells fired from Syrian territory frequently land inside Turkey, prompting responses from the Turkish military. Related links: Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Narek Manasyan wins European Boxing Championships silver for Armenia Armenia’s Narek Manasyan (92kg) won Armenia’s second silver medal at the European Boxing Championships 2024 on April 28. Blinken urges Azerbaijan to continue negotiations with Armenia Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken has urged Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to continue negotiations with Armenia. Pashinyan, Blinken talk Armenia-U.S. ties over the phone Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had a phone conversation with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on April 28, Pashinyan’s office reports. Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. |