When Prime Minister Erdogan denied media reports suggesting that NATO is preparing to deploy Patriot missiles along the Syrian border, the issue of the deployment of an air defense system became much more complicated, with conflicting statements from Turkish officials over the past two days.
Media reports signaled that NATO would deploy Patriot missiles in Turkey to bolster its ally's national security against any threat from war-torn Syria. Moreover, media reports also stressed that with Obama's re-election, Turkey, along with its Western allies, would accelerate the pace in taking bolder action in order to create a safe zone inside Syria.
Davutoglu, currently in Brussels for EU talks, said in a press conference on Wednesday that NATO is obliged to defend all its members. Regarding reports and mounting questions over the deployment of Patriot missiles along the Syrian border, Davutoglu said even if Turkey has no demand, NATO is making its own preparations to defend all its members, including Turkey.
Asked whether Patriot missiles have been discussed in consultations with NATO, he said it is normal to discuss every kind of defense measure that would be taken against any sort of risk.
In response to a question over reports of an arms transfer to Yemen from Turkey, Davutoglu said Turkey is examining the issue, stating that no weapons were carried to any country from Turkey.