- Sputnik International
World
Get the latest news from around the world, live coverage, off-beat stories, features and analysis.

'You Are Aiding Terrorists': Turkey Accuses Germany After Talks Break Down

© REUTERS / Umit BektasTurkey's President Tayyip Erdogan attends a Republic Day ceremony at Anitkabir, the mausoleum of modern Turkey's founder Ataturk, to mark the republic's anniversary as he is flanked by Prime Minister Binali Yildirim (R) in Ankara, Turkey, October 29, 2016.
Turkey's President Tayyip Erdogan attends a Republic Day ceremony at Anitkabir, the mausoleum of modern Turkey's founder Ataturk, to mark the republic's anniversary as he is flanked by Prime Minister Binali Yildirim (R) in Ankara, Turkey, October 29, 2016. - Sputnik International
Subscribe
Turkey has accused Germany of shielding terrorists and threatened Chancellor Angela Merkel with scrapping the EU migrant deal once again, following Merkel's decision to speak out against the decision by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to ban public officials and crack down on the country's media.

"They are giving us advice. But who is concerned about your stance? You are aiding terror!" Erdogan said in a recent speech in Ankara.

"That terror will hit you like a boomerang. We have no expectations from you, but you will be remembered by history for harboring terror," he added, claiming that Merkel is ignoring 4,000 dossiers containing files about potential terrorists in Germany.

Tempers continue to flare over the delay in visa-free travel for Turkish citizens in the EU, as part of the refugee one-for-one deal made between Ankara and Brussels.

Turkey's Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu addresses the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, France, October 12, 2016. - Sputnik International
Turkey Piles Pressure on EU Over Migrant Deal as October Deadline Passes
"Our patience is approaching an end," Turkish foreign minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, told Swiss newspaper Neue Zurcher Zeitung, over the delayed decision by Brussels to approve visa-free travel.

German justice minister Heiko Maas, said Berlin could refuse to extradite individuals related to July's failed military coup in Turkey, accusing Erdogan of so-called "cleansing."

Meanwhile, Erdogan has accused Germany of providing a safe haven for members of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and the Revolutionary People's Liberation Party. Both groups are classed as terrorist organizations by the European Union.

Erdogan suggested that Germany is in danger of becoming a "backyard" for FETO, followers of the US Islamic preacher Fethullah Gulen, the man Erdogan blamed for inciting the failed coup.

"Terror is like a scorpion. Eventually it will bite the one who is carrying it. I don't see a bright future for Germany. It has become a place where terrorists take refuge," Erdogan said.

"There are racist attacks against Turks in Germany. It is unacceptable that Germany protects terrorists."

Relations have deteriorated rapidly between Berlin and Ankara, following the crackdown on press freedoms after a state of emergency was declared in the aftermath of the failed coup.

Erdogan's outburst followed remarks made by Angela Merkel about a spate of arrests of journalists in Turkey.

"For me and the entire government, it is highly alarming that freedom of the press and speech are being restricted again and again," Angela Merkel said at a joint press conference with Swiss President Johann Schneider-Ammann.

© REUTERS / Axel SchmidtGerman Chancellor Angela Merkel and Swiss President Johann Schneider-Ammann attend a media conference in the chancellery in Berlin, Germany, November 2, 2016.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Swiss President Johann Schneider-Ammann attend a media conference in the chancellery in Berlin, Germany, November 2, 2016.  - Sputnik International
German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Swiss President Johann Schneider-Ammann attend a media conference in the chancellery in Berlin, Germany, November 2, 2016.

Merkel expressed her sadness over the sacking of staff at the Cumhuriyet newspaper and said the issue of press freedom, or lack of it, would "play a central role" in talks about Turkey's prospects for EU membership.

© AFP 2023 / ADEM ALTANParticipants hold the latest copy of Turkish newspaper Cumhuriyet outside the headquarters in Ankara on October 31, 2016, during a protest against the detention of the newspaper's editor-in-chief and a dozen journalists and executives
Participants hold the latest copy of Turkish newspaper Cumhuriyet outside the headquarters in Ankara on October 31, 2016, during a protest against the detention of the newspaper's editor-in-chief and a dozen journalists and executives - Sputnik International
Participants hold the latest copy of Turkish newspaper Cumhuriyet outside the headquarters in Ankara on October 31, 2016, during a protest against the detention of the newspaper's editor-in-chief and a dozen journalists and executives

Meanwhile, the latest rhetoric espoused from Angela Merkel has enraged Erdogan, suggesting any future negotiations on the EU refugee deal are already soured.

Newsfeed
0
To participate in the discussion
log in or register
loader
Chats
Заголовок открываемого материала