Turkey slams Austria’s arms embargo, says decision to fuel motivation for indigenous output

ANKARA

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Turkish Defense Minister has condemned Austria’s arms embargo on Turkey, saying that the decision will fuel motivation in Turkish industry to produce indigenous arms. 

“We have slammed Austria’s embargo. I am sure that such steps will fuel considerable motivation for Turkey’s defense industry to create indigenous arms,” Fikri Işık said on Nov. 25, adding that Turkey overcame a much severe embargo after the 1974 Cyprus Peace Operation. 

The National Council of Austria on Nov. 24 unanimously supported a motion for the government to restrict the sale of arms to Turkey, the Austria Press Agency reported.

All six parties to the council backed the nonbinding motion, which urged the government to consider the “threat of armed conflicts” as well as the human rights situation when considering approval of such exports.