ArmInfo. The Canadian authorities have revoked previously issued permits for the export of Canadian weapons and technology to Turkey, as they received evidence of their use in the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh. This was stated on Monday in a statement by Canadian Foreign Minister Marc Garneau.
The statement recalls that last fall, in accordance with the strict export control regime, the Government of Canada suspended the issuance of permits for the export of military goods and technology to Turkey, pending the results of an investigation into allegations that Canadian technology was used by Azerbaijan in the military conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh. At the same time, the minister stressed that a thorough analysis of all suspended and current export permits for all military goods and technologies intended for Turkey was carried out.
"Following the completion of the audit, which found convincing evidence that Canadian technologies exported to Turkey were used in Nagorno-Karabakh, I am today announcing the cancellation of the permits that were suspended in the fall of 2020. Such use is not consistent with Canada's foreign policy and Turkey's assurances regarding their end use, " Garneau said.
The minister added that on Monday he discussed the situation with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, while stating Canada's concern about the use of its exported technologies in military conflicts, which is contrary to the country's laws. He also expressed the hope that Canada and Turkey, which are NATO countries, will be able to resolve this issue in the future.
Last fall, The Globe and Mail reported that Azerbaijan could have used Turkish drones equipped with Canadian military equipment in the fighting in Nagorno-Karabakh.
After that, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said that the country's authorities have launched an investigation into the possible use of Canadian military equipment in the conflict in Karabakh. In this regard, Ottawa suspended all permits for the supply of weapons to Ankara. Now, after the investigation is completed, all of them are canceled.