The Netherlands has approved the extension of its missions in Turkey and Somalia, the Dutch minister of foreign affairs Frans Timmermans said after a cabinet meeting on Friday. The Netherlands defense organization deploys several ships off the coast of Somalia as part of the EU anti-piracy mission Atalanta, as well as the NATO-led Ocean Shield. Some 250 Dutch troops have also been deployed in Turkey since January 2013. Two Patriot units are stationed in the southern city of Adana. According to Timmermans, the Dutch soldiers "do a fantastic job" and the patriots "undoubtedly have a deterrent effect."