The differences between Germany and Turkey became apparent today in a joint interview given by German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Turkish Prime Minister Binali Gildirim, following an hour-long talks at the Chancellery in Berlin.
The difficulties in the relations between Germany and Turkey were mentioned at the beginning of her statements by Chancellor Merkel, saying "our relations have been in difficult waters for a long time. We are working step by step to solve the problems ".
She referred to the main issue that occupied the talks between the two, noting that "we discussed the German citizen journalist, Deniz Yuksel, who has been imprisoned in Turkey for a year, without being charged. I stressed to the Turkish Prime Minister that this is a very urgent issue for us. "
The Chancellor has repeatedly mentioned in her statements the problems that exist in Turkey regarding the rule of law.
As he said, "we discussed the rule of law in Turkey. We condemned the failed coup, but we want mechanisms of the rule of law in Turkey, and I have expressed our concerns on this issue. "Our relationship with Turkey is very important, but there are also many problems."
Referring to the regional issues that occupied their conversation, the Chancellor did not make special reference to the tensions that exist in the Aegean and Cyprus, but stated that "we discussed the problems in the neighborhood of Turkey. "Turkey has the right to defend itself, but within NATO, the problems that exist with the United States must also be resolved."
Chancellor Merkel was quoted as saying that her conversation with the Turkish Prime Minister was not an easy task, but at least it was useful.
Angela Merkel also stressed that as long as there is no progress on human rights and the rule of law in Turkey, there will be no progress in the customs union with the EU, while reiterating that there are strict legal frameworks for arms exports to Turkey and in no case This is not going to be linked to the release of German political prisoners in Turkey.
When asked to comment on Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's statement that he would give the United States an "Ottoman slap", she replied, "I am not in the mood to comment on such words." "I use clear language and I spoke to the Turkish Prime Minister today."
For his part, Turkish Prime Minister Benali Gildirim stressed several times that Turkey is a state governed by the rule of law, but also that his country "protects NATO borders from ISIS and PKK terrorists", and that Turkey is intercepting waves of refugees and terrorists before they reach Europe.
"The PKK is a terrorist organization and the YPG is also a terrorist organization in Syria," he said. "In our struggle we want our friends by our side in order to protect the innocent civilians in Syria."
Regarding the case of the German journalist Deniz Yuksel, Mr. Gildirim did not give any explanation for the fact that for a year now he has been detained without being charged and he simply noted that "our courts are moving in this case within the framework of the rule of law. but after the coup there are thousands of cases to be considered. "
During the press conference of the two politicians, a journalist shared with his colleagues photos of victims of the Turkish bombing in Afrin, which seemed to anger the Turkish Prime Minister, who stated that "what you are doing is propaganda. The photos you show are not from Afrin. "Go there to see the real situation."