German and Dutch Defense Minister evaluate patriot missiles issue

German Defense Minister Thomas de Maiziere said ahead of a meeting of EU defense ministers on Monday that he expected Turkey to request patriot missiles from NATO to place on its Syrian border. "We will examine such a request with solidarity and respond quickly," Maiziere said. He added that in case such a request was accepted, the process would be managed by Germany. Touching on the issue, Dutch Defense Minister Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert yesterday said that the Netherlands has not received a formal request to send Patriot missiles to NATO ally Turkey, adding, "We are waiting for a formal request." minister added. Hennis-Plasschaert also said that NATO does not exist for nothing.