Turkey formally asks NATO to support its air defense system

Turkey's Foreign Ministry and NATO have announced that Turkey formally asked NATO on Wednesday to deploy missile defense elements on its border with Syria to boost its air defense systems. "In view of the threats and risks posed by the continuing crisis in Syria to our national security and following Council consultations held on June 26 and October 3, 2012 upon our request within the framework of Article 4 of the Washington Treaty, a decision has been taken to formally request NATO to support the augmentation of our national air defence by Allied air defence elements," a Foreign Ministry statement said, adding that Turkey's request has been formally raised through a letter, which it has today issued at NATO.