- Title: Germany looking to 'normalisation' of relationship with Turkey - Gabriel
- Date: 3rd June 2017
- Summary: ST PETERSBURG, RUSSIA (JUNE 3, 2017) (REUTERS) EXTERIOR VENUE GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER SIGMAR GABRIEL PREPARING TO TALK TO MEDIA (SOUNDBITE) GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER SIGMAR GABRIEL, SAYING: "In such talks we discuss all of those problems for certain. And we also exchange our differing views. But we cannot say that we reached some breakthrough. And I didn't expect one. But we need to try to find a solution for the Ukraine conflict, that is also in the interest of Russia. But we cannot leave those people there in that catastrophic situation in the long-run, we only have to look at last winter." JOURNALISTS (SOUNDBITE) GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER SIGMAR GABRIEL, SAYING: "And we work on having talks (within the Normandy contact group) with the new French president rather sooner than later after the election in France. We hope that the Normandy contact group with the heads of states (Germany, Russia, Ukraine and France) will continue." GABRIEL SPEAKING (SOUNDBITE) GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER SIGMAR GABRIEL, SAYING: "We are searching for chances to get back to a normalisation of our relationship with Turkey. But the issue of the visit of German members of parliament to Incirlik will continue to play a role. Because we cannot accept that German soldiers are stationed abroad which cannot be visited by German members of parliament. But there are many more issues that put a strain on the German-Turkish relationships at the moment, for instance the arrest of German journalists. On the other hand, Turkey has an interest in economic ties. And we are looking for opportunities to make first steps towards a normalisation. And that is the reason for my visit." GABRIEL WITH JOURNALISTS
- Embargoed: 17th June 2017 12:15
- Keywords: Turkey France Ukraine St Petersburg Economic Forum German FM Sigmar Gabriel
- Location: ST PETERSBURG , RUSSIA
- City: ST PETERSBURG , RUSSIA
- Country: Russia
- Topics: Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA0016JQ3L8N
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel said he will strive to defuse the situation between Germany and Turkey when he visits the country on Monday (June 5).
Relations between the two countries have soured after the Turkish government refused German lawmakers access to Incirlik air base where around 250 German troops are based to help in the fight against Islamic State militants.
Speaking on Saturday (June 4) on the sidelines of the Economic Forum in St Petersburg, Gabriel said the issue of German MP's visitation rights to Incirlik base in Turkey remains a contentious point.
"We cannot accept that German soldiers are stationed abroad which cannot be visited by German members of parliament," the minister said.
Other strains on the German-Turkish relationship include the arrest of German journalists, Gabriel said.
Journalist Mesale Tolu, a German citizen, has been detained on charges of advancing "terrorist propaganda", while Die Welt correspondent Deniz Yucel, German-Turkish journalist, has been imprisoned on similar charges.
The German FM met Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday (June 2) evening and discussed Ukraine, and although Gabriel said they did not reach any "breakthrough", all parties expressed concern about Ukraine, especially the humanitarian situation.
Gabriel said he expected the new French president Emmanuel Macron to join the Ukraine talks within the Normandy contact group very soon. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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