- Title: Ankara angry at Germany's tourist warning as rights row escalates
- Date: 20th July 2017
- Summary: ANKARA, TURKEY (JULY 20, 2017) (REUTERS) TURKISH PRESIDENTIAL SPOKESMAN, IBRAHIM KALIN, ARRIVING FOR A WEEKLY BRIEFING CAMERAMAN FILMING (SOUNDBITE) (Turkish) TURKISH PRESIDENTIAL SPOKESMAN, IBRAHIM KALIN, SAYING: "We believe that these unfortunate statements are investment for the upcoming elections in Germany. Unfortunately, those who see that the anti-Erdogan stance and animosity on the level of paranoia especially towards our presidents, pay off in German politics, jump on the wagon to gain support in their way. I think they need to rid themselves of this abdication of reason and think rationally." REPORTERS TAKING NOTES (SOUNDBITE) (Turkish) TURKISH PRESIDENTIAL SPOKESMAN, IBRAHIM KALIN, SAYING: "Putting forth something like this through small political calculations with German elections in mind, trying to overshadow Turkey's economic relations and creating doubts in the minds of German investors in Turkey is unacceptable." REPORTERS TAKING NOTES (SOUNDBITE) (Turkish) TURKISH PRESIDENTIAL SPOKESMAN, IBRAHIM KALIN, SAYING: "This is being disrespectful against Turkish judiciary. This is being disrespectful against a country such as Turkey that will not share its independence and sovereignty with anyone. They will respect the judiciary here. We strongly condemn statements saying German citizens coming to Turkey are not safe and German companies in Turkey have concerns." REPORTERS TAKING NOTES (SOUNDBITE) (Turkish) TURKISH PRESIDENTIAL SPOKESMAN, IBRAHIM KALIN, SAYING: "(Those who are arrested) are people who carried out certain illegal and suspicious activities to the degree that police department and judiciary detected. How many people are we talking about? Three maybe five. Putting these people in the same pot with others who come to Turkey by legal means for tourism or other purposes is a huge political irresponsibility. We always want to maintain good relations with Germany. But this has to be maintained by mutual respect and interest. Nobody should attempt to get Turkey back in line by wagging their fingers from Europe or elsewhere." CAMERAMEN FILMING (SOUNDBITE) (Turkish) TURKISH PRESIDENTIAL SPOKESMAN, IBRAHIM KALIN, SAYING: "The story by Anadolu Agency is written within the framework of their own news network. Turkish government did not provide information or guidance. As a news agency, Anadolu agency might have taken this subject on their agenda and storified it. We saw the story after it was published." REPORTERS TAKING NOTES KALIN LEAVING STAGE
- Embargoed: 3rd August 2017 14:44
- Keywords: Turkey Germany dispute Syria bases the United States
- Location: ANKARA, TURKEY
- City: ANKARA, TURKEY
- Country: Turkey
- Topics: Diplomacy/Foreign Policy,Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA0016QIVVPJ
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan's spokesman on Thursday (July 20) lashed out at Germany after Berlin threatened to end corporate investment guarantees, saying Ankara could not accept such a stance, escalating a row between the NATO allies.
Germany warned its citizens on Thursday to exercise caution if traveling to Turkey and threatened measures that could hinder German investment there in a sign of growing impatience with a NATO ally after the detention of rights activists.
Speaking to reporters at a weekly news briefing, Turkish Presidential Spokesman Ibrahim Kalin said Ankara wanted to maintain good relations with Berlin, but "this has to be maintained by mutual respect and interest."
The latest feud between Turkey and Germany - which have seen ties strained after last year's failed coup - stems from Turkey's detention of six human rights activists, including a German national. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
- Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2017. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
- Usage Terms/Restrictions: None