Danish politicians demand freeze on weapons exports to Turkey
Denmark should follow the example of Nordic neighbours Norway and Sweden and halt weapons exports to Turkey, two left-wing parties in parliament have demanded.
The Red Green Alliance (Enhedslisten) and Socialist People’s Party (SF), part of a three-party group which props up the Social Democratic government, made the calls after Norway and Sweden both announced they would move to suspend all new arms exports to Turkey.
The decisions from Oslo and Stockholm came country after Turkey launched a military offensive against Kurdish forces in northern Syria.
“We must absolutely follow Norway and Sweden’s examples and ensure we immediately stop all weapon sales to Turkey from Denmark, and recommend to the EU next week a full European freeze on weapons exports,” Red Green Alliance foreign spokesperson Eva Flyvholm said.
SF’s leader Pia Olsen Dyhr echoed those sentiments.
“Denmark should, like other Nordic countries, stop all export of military equipment. We cannot justify selling weapons to a country which uses them against an ally in the fight against international terrorism,” Dyhr said in an email to Ritzau.
“We can’t stop Erdogan’s aggressive behaviour alone. So we need other European countries to join us,” she added.
The third government ally, the Social Liberals, have taken a more cautious position, with foreign policy spokesperson Martin Lidegaard advocating options for a joint EU response be drafted.
READ ALSO: Denmark summons Turkish ambassador over Syria offensive
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The Red Green Alliance (Enhedslisten) and Socialist People’s Party (SF), part of a three-party group which props up the Social Democratic government, made the calls after Norway and Sweden both announced they would move to suspend all new arms exports to Turkey.
The decisions from Oslo and Stockholm came country after Turkey launched a military offensive against Kurdish forces in northern Syria.
“We must absolutely follow Norway and Sweden’s examples and ensure we immediately stop all weapon sales to Turkey from Denmark, and recommend to the EU next week a full European freeze on weapons exports,” Red Green Alliance foreign spokesperson Eva Flyvholm said.
SF’s leader Pia Olsen Dyhr echoed those sentiments.
“Denmark should, like other Nordic countries, stop all export of military equipment. We cannot justify selling weapons to a country which uses them against an ally in the fight against international terrorism,” Dyhr said in an email to Ritzau.
“We can’t stop Erdogan’s aggressive behaviour alone. So we need other European countries to join us,” she added.
The third government ally, the Social Liberals, have taken a more cautious position, with foreign policy spokesperson Martin Lidegaard advocating options for a joint EU response be drafted.
READ ALSO: Denmark summons Turkish ambassador over Syria offensive
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