SC-24, 26 August 2014

Based on the decision taken by the NATO Foreign Ministers on 4 December 2012, the Netherlands has had Patriot batteries deployed in Turkey since January 2013, in order to protect our country and the southeastern border of NATO against ballistic missile threats originating from Syria.

The Government of the Netherlands has announced, by notifying the Dutch Parliament on 25 August 2014, that the deployment in question would terminate on 31 January 2015.

This issue was discussed at high level meetings with the Dutch authorities in Ankara, Brussels and The Hague on 25 August 2014. In these discussions, the Dutch authorities have justified the decision on the grounds of absolute and comprehensive maintenance and repair requirements of the equipment, which constitutes nearly the entire Patriot systems belonging to the Netherlands that are deployed in Turkey, as well as personnel shortages. These issues have also been detailed by the Dutch Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Defense in their written notification submitted to the Dutch Parliament. During the discussions, the Dutch authorities have also emphasized that their solidarity with Turkey would continue in the strongest terms.

We acknowledge and appreciate the Allied solidarity that has been demonstrated by the Netherlands towards our country since January 2013, as was the case in the past.

Due to the continuation of the current threat, the relevant NATO authorities continue their work in the direction of how the Dutch systems will be substituted.