German FM in Ankara visit amid row with EU

German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier will conduct talks in Ankara on Nov. 15 amid a diplomatic spat between the two countries and tense relations between Ankara and Europe.


Talks between Turkey and the European Union for visa-free travel for citizens of Turkey, the continued German deployment at the İncirlik Air Base and the fight against terror are among the topics to be discussed at the visit, diplomatic sources told the Hürriyet Daily News.

Steinmeier’s visit comes as critics call on the German government to move beyond words of concern and take concrete action amid concerns for the deterioration of the rule of law and the precipitous decline of democracy in Turkey.

Germany is trying to strike a balance between condemning the Turkish government’s post-coup measures and maintaining good relations with a critical partner in grappling with the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) and curbing the inflow of migrants which hit Europe in 2015.

However, Turkish leaders have threatened to cancel the migration deal unless Europe delivers promised concessions soon, especially visa-free travel in Europe for citizens of Turkey.
 [hurriyetdailynews.com]
14/11/16
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