Turkish PM Erdoğan cancels top defense industry meeting

ANKARA

Chief of General Staff Necdet Özel (2nd L), Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan (3rd L) and Turkish President Abdullah Gül (C) are seen. DHA Photo

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan canceled a scheduled meeting of the Defense Industry Executive Committee, private CNNTürk broadcaster reported Feb. 25. CNNTürk quoted sources from the prime minister’s office as saying that the reason for the cancellation was Erdoğan’s demand for “a rest.”

Erdoğan addressed his lawmakers around noon in Parliament and then attended the opening of a boulevard along with Ankara Mayor Melih Gökçek. The prime minister made a brief public address at the opening, but then rushed to his home to repose, according to CNNTürk.

Turkey’s controversial decision last September to select a Chinse firm for the construction of the country’s first long-range air and anti-missile defense architecture was expected to be high on agenda of yesterday’s cancelled defense procurement meeting.

The Committee was also expected to discuss Turkey’s efforts to coproduce with Japan’s Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Corp. of an indigenous engine for the planned indigenous Turkish tank, the Altay.

Sources told CNNTürk that Erdoğan would continue his program as scheduled today and would participate in the bi-annual National Security Council meeting at the presidency.

Erdoğan is scheduled to carry out election campaigning activities in Uşak and Burdur on Feb. 27 and 28. On Feb. 29, he is expected to be in Kırklareli.