Turkish defense minister: Chinese missiles will not harm relations with US

Defense Minister Ismet Yilmaz has said that Turkey's missile deal with China will not create any problems between Turkey and the US, citing statements made by United States Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel on Thursday, while Republicans in the US Senate have reportedly urged the US administration to pressure Turkey to abandon its decision to purchase the Chinese missile system, Today's Zaman reported.

Speaking in the northwestern province of Bolu on Saturday, Yilmaz commented on Turkey's recent decision to select a Chinese company to produce its long-range air and missile defense system.

Responding to criticism over the missile defense deal, Yilmaz referred to recent statements made by Hagel and NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen underlining that the decision was up to Turkey and added that the decision made by the Defense Ministry is in Turkey's national interests.

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