BRUSSELS  

NATO officials have decided to extend the term for deployment of patriot missile batteries in Turkey as they believe the threat that might originate from Syria continued.

NATO member states’ permanent representatives evaluated an extension request from Turkey and having been in full agreement that the threat that might target Turkey is still serious, they decided to extend the deployment period for patriot defense missiles in Adana, Kahramanmaras and Gaziantep together with the service of military personnel from Germany, the Netherlands and the US in those cities.

Turkey had requested that NATO reinforce Turkey’s air defence capabilities to defend the population and territory of Turkey. On December 4, 2012, NATO officials agreed to this request.

The decision followed a series of discussions held by the Alliance under Article 4 of the NATO Treaty which allows any ally to call for consultations if the security of any of them is threatened.