ADDS MORE STATEMENTS FROM CANIKLI PLUS BACKGROUND ON PKK
By Baris Gundogan
BRUSSELS (AA) - A new letter of intent signed by Turkey, Italy, and France seeks to develop a new missile defense system, said Turkey’s defense minister on Thursday in Brussels.
Addressing a meeting of NATO defense ministers, Nurettin Canikli said projects covered under the letter could help cooperating countries develop “top models” for defending against lone missiles, as well as address Turkey’s current gaps in missile defense.
He added that Turkey’s future use of the Russian S-400 missile defense system -- which Turkey has committed to buy -- would also be covered.
Turkey’s NATO allies have questioned the S-400 purchase and suggested it would be incompatible with alliance systems.
Turkey on Wednesday signed a letter of intent with France and Italy aiming to strengthen cooperation on joint defense projects.
- Advisors, not troops, to Afghanistan
"There is no effort from Turkey to send additional troops to Afghanistan," Canikli also said, amid a security situation that is widely seen as deteriorating.
"Instead, we will contribute advisors," he added.
Canikli said any personnel Turkey sends to Afghanistan "will not be combat troops," but instead personnel that "can train and advise troops."
- Over 2,300 PKK terrorists 'neutralized'
On Turkey's fight against terrorism, Canikli also said a total of 2,304 PKK terrorists have been “neutralized” by Turkish forces since Jan. 10, 2017.
Turkish authorities often use the word "neutralized" in their statements to imply the terrorist in question was either killed, captured, or wounded.
The PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU -- resumed its armed campaign against Turkey in July 2015.
Since then, it has been responsible for the deaths of more than 1,200 Turkish security personnel and civilians, including a number of women and children.