The Netherlands will no longer grant permission for arms exports to Turkey as long as the military operation in Northeast Syria continues. Until now, the Netherlands mainly supplied parts of weapons but will also stop doing so. Last year, the Netherlands exported weapons worth 29 million euros to Turkey.
On Monday, the Netherlands will ask other countries at an urgent EU meeting to also stop arms deliveries to Turkey. Minister Blok (Foreign Affairs) will discuss the situation in Turkey and Syria with his EU colleagues on Monday in Luxembourg.
Earlier, Dutch Minister Sigrid Kaag (Foreign Trade) already stated that last year five applications from Turkey were rejected. At that time, Kaag said she was still ‘not an advocate’ of a unilateral arms embargo, but this has now become the official Dutch position.
Minister Blok had initially not planned to travel to the ministers’ meeting in Luxembourg on Monday. He was originally scheduled to accompany the Dutch royal couple on a state visit to India.
Yesterday, Finland also announced it would stop arms deliveries to Turkey.