LAHEY (AA) - The Dutch government approved the extension of the term of deployment for Patriot missiles which were sent to Turkey against potential attacks from Syria.
Upon Turkey's request to NATO, the deployment period for the missiles system which would end in January was extended by a year, after a cabinet decision Friday.
After the cabinet meeting, Foreign Minister Frans Timmermans said "the missile threat from Syria remains."
Earlier this week, NATO officials decided to extend the term for the deployment of Patriot missile batteries in Turkey as they believed that the threat which might originate from Syria had not disappeared.
Turkey had requested that NATO reinforce Turkey’s air defence capabilities to defend the country's population and territory. 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 a member is threatened.
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