German Minister backs tank sale to Turkey

Speaking at a press conference in Ankara while visiting the Turkish capital Thursday, German Defence Minister Peter Struck said that Turkey had undergone major changes in the five years since Berlin had previously ruled out selling tanks to its NATO ally.
“If Turkey makes a request, as Minister of Defence, I would give a favourable opinion to the chancellor and the foreign minister,” Struck said.
Germany had in the past refused to supply heavy equipment to Turkey on the grounds that it might be used against Turkish civilians.
“An entirely different process has been under way in Turkey over the past five years,” Struck said, citing numerous reforms implemented by the Turkish government to bring it into line with the European Union as part of Ankara’s membership bid.