Serious confidence crisis in German relations recently: Turkish foreign ministry

ANKARA

Turkey’s Foreign Ministry stated on July 20 that there had been a serious confidence crisis between Berlin and Ankara recently, describing German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel’s remarks as “the latest and an unacceptable example of the one-sided distorted approach” against Turkey.

“Recently, there has been a serious confidence crisis in our relations with Germany, which is a friend and ally that we have historical ties with,” the ministry said in a statement.

It said the main reason behind the crisis was the “double standards” in Germany’s stance on Turkey. 

“Today’s remarks by German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel were the latest and an unacceptable example of this one-sided distorted approach,” the ministry said.

Berlin’s demand on suspects who had been detained or arrested in Turkey on terror charges to be released were “unacceptable” even though it disregarded outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and Fethullahist Terror Organization (FETÖ) suspects to roam freely in their country, it added.

It said the country would show the necessary reaction against the efforts being carried to benefit from anti-Turkey remarks with the internal politics motive to different platforms.

Regarding the updated travel warning, the ministry called it “a regulation that its target had intentionally been distorted.” 

It added that the relations between the two countries should be conducted based on international norms and principles not by blackmail and threats, urging Germany to understand Turkey’s expectations in the fight against terror and security and evaluate the common interests with a strategic vision.

Speaking to reporters, Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu also said it was impossible for the country to make compromise in terror fight, adding that Germany's demands did not fit diplomatic courtesy.

"We should focus on long term mutual goals,” he said.

He added that the German minister’s “ill-tempered” remarks could neither be associated with a serious state like Germany nor the friendship between the two countries.

“They should know that those threats and blackmails will not find correspondence in Turkey,” he said, adding that threats over cancelling Customs Union talks and funds did not comply with the standards of international relations.

The minister also accused Germany of “embracing terrorists” despite being an ally.