Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs Marc Garneau has announced a permit cancellation for weaponry to Turkey on Monday, saying the department of Global Affairs had determined Canadian gear was diverted to the fighting between Azerbaijan and Armenia, The Global and Mail newspaper reported.
An investigation revealed that Canadian gear was implicated in drone-airstrikes used in the war for Nagorno-Karabakh, Garneau said.
Restricted Canadian imaging technology made by L3Harris Wescam was operated by Azerbaijan, while the export had been authorized for export to Turkey only, according to the newspaper.
Canada had suspended the permits for the weaponry last October.
Turkey threw its full support behind Azerbaijan in the six-weeks of clashes with Armenia over the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh in November. Turkish dronesplayed a key role in Azerbaijan’s military success in the conflict.
Earlier on Monday, Turkey said Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu had urged Canada to review the defence industry restrictions.
The use of the gear was “not consistent with Canadian foreign policy, nor end-use assurances given by Turkey,” Garneau said, adding he had raised his concerns with Çavuşoğlu.
Ahvalnews