ANKARA - German Ambassador to Turkey Dr. Rudolf Schmidt said on Monday that ''Germany and Holland will provide Patriot anti-missile system to Turkey in case of a possible crisis in Iraq.''
Speaking in a joint news conference with Rifat Hisarcýklýoglu, the Chairman of the Union of Turkish Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB), Schmidt gave information about the economic relations between the two countries. Schmidt said that 3.5 million German tourists brought 1.75 billion Euros to Turkey and that constituted an important factor in balance of payments of Turkey.
Schmidt said that the German government supported certain projects in Turkey by donations or credits within the scope of the cooperation between Turkey and Germany by a source of 4.3 billion Euros, adding that other projects in Turkey would also be supported by another source worth of 38 million Euros.
Schmidt said that Turkey and Germany also make cooperation in NATO as allies, adding that German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder stressed that Germany, as an ally would fulfil its missions. Noting that NATO took a decision on Sunday about the issue, Schmidt said that NATO adopted a decision on extending support to Turkey within the scope of emergency plan.
''We will provide anti-missile system, meaning Patriot anti-missile system to Turkey together with Holland. We will ensure protection of Turkey in case of a possible crisis,'' he said. Turkey and Germany were in consensus of opinion in many issues, Schmidt said and noted that Turkish and German governments were resolved to do the necessary things for peaceful solution of a possible crisis. Noting that Turkey did its best for regional peace, Schmidt said that Germany was resolved to continue its initiatives with France and Russia in United Nations Security Council.