Turkey, Germany Agree to Mend Ties

TEHRAN (defapress) - Foreign ministers of Turkey and Germany agreed to work towards improving bilateral relations after a period of tensions between Ankara and Berlin.

News ID: 68712

Date: 17 February 2018 - 11:49

Speaking to reporters in Munich on Friday after a meeting with his German counterpart Sigmar Gabriel, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said they have agreed on deepening dialogue and cooperation.

"As foreign ministers, we will continue working together to strengthen and deepen our bilateral relations between Turkey and Germany as well as our cooperation on many regional issues,” Cavusoglu said, Anadolu Agency reported.

The meeting, held on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, coincided with the release of German-Turkish journalist Deniz Yucel, who was arrested in Turkey last year on suspicion of spreading terrorist propaganda.

Cavusoglu stressed that Yucel’s release was an independent decision of the court and the government did not have any influence on the ruling.

German Foreign Minister Gabriel also welcomed Yucel’s release.

"I know that this was an independent decision of the court,” he said, thanking the Turkish government for helping to speed up the proceedings.

"This is a signal that diplomacy -- without megaphones, speaking to each other -- can solve difficult issues,” he said.

Gabriel also said Germany and Turkey would enhance dialogue and cooperation in various fields, including the economy, energy and security, and would also try to overcome remaining differences.

"We are partners in NATO. We have the same security interests,” he added.