Ankara-Berlin ties to improve after German elections: Erdogan
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has predicted that the country’s strained ties with Berlin will improve after Germany's parliamentary election in September.
"Criticism from Europe is about their internal politics," Erdogan said in a Saturday televised speech in the western city of Isparta.
"France and Austria did this before, we see that Germany follows the same strategy. I believe that this situation will improve after elections," he added.
Germany is set to hold parliamentary election on September 24, with Chancellor Angela Merkel running for a fourth term.
German-Turkish relations have been strained over the past year since the coup attempt of July 2016 in Turkey and Ankara’s crackdown on opposition since then.
Turkey is angry at Germany for granting asylum to officers Turkey says were behind the failed coup.
Ankara has also leveled accusations against Berlin over giving sanctuary to outlawed Kurdish militants and allowing their sympathizers to stage anti-Turkey rallies across Germany.
Berlin, for its part, has toughened its stance toward Ankara following the arrests of 22 German citizens who have been taken into custody in the ensuing crackdown. Nine of those are still in prison, including the recently jailed journalists Deniz Yucel and Mesale Tolu.
The row intensified after Turkey refused to allow German lawmakers to visit military personnel at Incirlik Air Base and another base in Konya, located some 50 kilometers south of the Turkish capital Ankara.
Turkey’s refusal to grant access to German lawmakers came after Berlin blocked visits and speeches by senior Turkish officials to members of Turkish diaspora in Germany ahead of an April referendum in Turkey.
On July 20, German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel said that Germany would review state guarantees for foreign investment in Turkey and would urge businesses against putting their money there. Gabriel said that Berlin would also review its support for EU financial flows to the long-time aspirant to membership of the bloc.
Ankara has been engaged in suppressing the media, activists and opposition groups, who are believed to have played a role in the failed putsch.
Over 50,000 people have been arrested and some 150,000 others sacked or suspended from a wide range of professions, including soldiers, police, teachers, and public servants, over alleged links with terrorist groups.
BRICS offers Turkey partner status, says Turkish minister
Erdogan claims Turkey has 'severed all ties' with Israel
Iran, Russia, Turkey condemn Israeli atrocities in West Asia
Iran FM slams reported EU plans to impose sanctions on IRISL
VIDEO | Press TV's News Headlines
Lebanon army says Israeli attack kills two soldiers in south
Iran launches renovation project at its main oil export terminal
Trump's re-election will not affect Iran-China strategic ties: Leader’s aide
VIDEO | Jordan hunger strikers demand resumption of Gaza aid distribution
VIDEO | Activists: Amsterdam violence highlights Western hypocrisy
VIDEO | Yemeni forces conduct new drone strikes on Eilat
PressTV NEWSLETTER
now
This makes it easy to access the Press TV website
