Turkey asks Canada to review defence industry restrictions

ISTANBUL — Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu urged NATO ally Canada on Monday to review defence industry restrictions which it imposed on Ankara last year.

Canada suspended exports of some drone technology to Turkey last October while it probed allegations that the equipment was being used by Azeri forces involved in fighting with Armenia.

Turkey’s foreign ministry at the time described it as a double standard and President Tayyip Erdogan said it was not in line with the spirit of their alliance.

Cavusoglu’s ministry said he raised the restrictions issue with Canadian Foreign Minister Marc Garneau in talks.

“He conveyed concerns about Canada’s stance on defence industry restrictions imposed on Turkey and requested their review,” the foreign ministry said.