Erdoğan to Trudeau: Suspension of drone exports not in line with spirit of alliance
"During the call, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said Canada's suspension of the export of some military goods to Turkey due to the Azerbajian-Armenia conflict... is against the spirit of alliance," Turkey's presidential sources said via a written statement on Saturday.
- World
- Reuters
- Published Date: 10:35 | 17 October 2020
- Modified Date: 10:37 | 17 October 2020
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan told Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that Canada's suspension of the export of some drone technology was not in line with the spirit of alliance, Turkey's presidential sources said late on Friday.
Canada suspended the export of some drone technology to Turkey earlier this month as it probes allegations the equipment was used by Azeri forces involved in fighting with Armenia.
In a phone call on Friday, Erdoğan and Trudeau discussed improving relations and increasing bilateral trade, the Turkish presidency said, adding that they also talked about overcoming issues regarding cooperation in the defence sector.
"During the call, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said Canada's suspension of the export of some military goods to Turkey due to the Azerbajian-Armenia conflict... is against the spirit of alliance," the presidency said.
Turkey and Canada are both members of NATO.
Following Canada's announcement, Turkey's Foreign Ministry had said the suspension showed a double standard.