Turkish Foreign Minister has called for mutual steps to normalize relations between Turkey and Germany, after months of tensions between the two NATO allies.
In an interview with German weekly Der Spiegel, Mevlut Cavusoglu expressed hope that Ankara and Berlin would return to normal relations, as Germany left behind September 24 federal election which was dominated by a heated debate about Turkey, and Ankara’s EU membership bid.
“I don't see a reason for having problems between Germany and Turkey,” Cavusoglu said, and underlined that he was ready to make efforts for the normalisation of ties.
“I have already told my friend Sigmar Gabriel before the elections: Let us look forward. If you take one step towards us, we will take two steps towards you,” he said.
Relations between the two countries suffered a major setback during the election campaign, as German politicians fiercely attacked Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, demanded from Chancellor Merkel a sharper tone towards Turkey, and called for ending Ankara’s EU membership talks.
Cavusoglu said Turkey has never sought confrontation with Germany, but only reacted to growing anti-Turkish and anti-Erdogan rhetoric in the country, which is home to 3 million Turkish immigrants.
“President Erdogan has only responded to attacks from Germany. We will continue working together with the German federal government in a trustful manner,” he said.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel came under enormous pressure from her rivals to sharpen tone towards Turkey, particularly due to the arrests of around 10 German citizens, including a reporter and a human rights activist, for alleged support for terrorist organisations.
While her conservative-left coalition government took several economic measures ahead of elections to increase political pressure over Ankara, Merkel opposed calls to take more harsh measures, and underlined importance of maintaining dialogue with Turkey.
Cavusoglu ruled out Turkish government’s political influence on the judiciary with regards to the cases involving German citizens.
“The Turkish judiciary is independent. It is not for me to sentence or acquit suspects, it is for our judges to decide,” he stressed.
Ankara’s relations with Berlin has been strained since the defeated coup attempt in Turkey last year as Turkish leaders slammed Germany for failing to show strong solidarity with the Turkish government against the attempted military coup.
Turkish politicians have also criticized Germany for turning a blind eye to outlawed groups and terrorist organizations hostile to Turkey, such as the PKK, and the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO).
FETO and its U.S.-based leader Fetullah Gulen orchestrated the defeated military coup last year, which left 250 people martyred and nearly 2,200 injured.
Turkey accuses FETO of being behind a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration of Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police and judiciary.
Germany is among the countries where FETO has managed to organize a large network, including dozens of businesses, private schools, as well as media organisations.
Despite repeated requests by Ankara to return FETO suspects to Turkey for trial, the German authorities have so far turned down such requests, arguing that Ankara must first provide sound legal evidence for each individual accused.