Norway lifts arms exports restrictions on Türkiye
People look at Altay tank during the 2017 International Defence Industry Fair in Istanbul, Türkiye. (Yasin Akgul/AFP via Getty Images)
Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide informed Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan of Norway’s decision to lift defense industry restrictions imposed on Türkiye in 2019.
The announcement came during a phone conversation between the two ministers, confirmed by Turkish Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Oncu Keceli.
Norway had decided to lift the arms exports restrictions
Norway’s restrictions had been part of measures related to defense exports to Türkiye, following concerns over Türkiye’s military operations in the region. The decision to lift these restrictions marks a significant development in the bilateral relationship between the two NATO allies.
Turkish Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Oncu Keceli said, “Our Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan held a telephone conversation with Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide today (September 11). Norwegian Foreign Minister Eide reported that Norway had decided to lift the defense industry restrictions it had implemented against Türkiye in 2019.”
A positive step for Norway-Türkiye relations
In the phone call, Turkish Foreign Minister Fidan expressed his satisfaction with the decision, noting that such restrictions were not in line with the spirit of alliance between the two countries.
“Our Minister of Foreign Affairs Fidan stated that we were pleased with the decision in question and said that such restrictions were not in line with the spirit of alliance,” Keceli said.
The lifting of these restrictions is expected to positively impact defense cooperation between the two countries, aligning with Türkiye’s goals for greater collaboration within the NATO framework.
Background of the restrictions
Norway imposed the restrictions in 2019 in response to Türkiye’s military operations in northern Syria. Several other European countries took similar measures at the time.
The removal of the restrictions indicates a shift in Norway’s stance, potentially paving the way for renewed defense industry cooperation between the two nations.
