"We agreed that neither side is interested in causing lasting damage to relations," reported Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs Sigmar Gabriel following a meeting with his Turkish counterpart Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu in Berlin. Earlier the Chancellor had rejected President Erdogan’s comparison with Nazi practices as "absolutely unacceptable".
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"There are quite simply lines that may not be crossed, and one of them is the comparison with Nazi Germany," said Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs Sigmar Gabriel following a meeting with Turkey’s Minister of Foreign Affairs in Berlin. "This is the freest state that there has ever been on German soil. We are one of the freest and most democratic countries in the world," he continued.
Last weekend the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan criticised the debate surrounding the cancelled campaign appearances of Turkish politicians in Germany, with the words "I thought National Socialism was a thing of the past in Germany, but it is still there".
Sigmar Gabriel reported that his meeting with Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu was "good and honest, cordial in the way we dealt with one another, although tough and controversial in terms of the matters discussed". "We agreed that neither side is interested in causing lasting damage to relations," he stressed.
Their talks covered all bones of contention, Sigmar Gabriel reported, and specifically mentioned the case of the German journalist Deniz Yücel who is currently imprisoned in Turkey, as well as the constitutional reform in Turkey and the campaign appearances of Turkish politicians in Germany.
The aim must now be to return to normal, cordial relations "step by step", said the Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs. He expressly praised the importance of his meeting. "Only face to face meetings, like our meeting here today, will gradually improve relations between our two countries again." The goal of both sides must be to put in place a "fair, open and honest partnership and indeed friendship" between the two countries, said Sigmar Gabriel.
On Monday, Chancellor Angela Merkel roundly rejected the comparison with Nazi practices made by the Turkish President as "completely unacceptable" and unjustifiable. What is particularly distressing, she said, is that comments like this trivialise the indescribable suffering of genuine victims of National Socialism. For this reason alone, they rob themselves of all legitimacy.
Statements of this sort also sadden her, continued the Chancellor, because Germany and Turkey are linked in so many different ways – from economic relations to their roles as partners within NATO.
There are "profound differences of opinion between Germany and Turkey" – for instance on the issues of freedom of opinion and freedom of the press. Angela Merkel pointed to the over 100 journalists who have been arrested in Turkey. Once again she stressed that the German government is doing its utmost to have the German-Turkish journalist, Deniz Yücel, released.
The Chancellor made it clear that all these differences of opinion with Turkey are discussed "in all clarity, and – on our side – on the basis of our values". That, she said, is why appearances by members of the Turkish government are possible in Germany, in compliance with German law and pertinent regulations. Appearances of this sort must, however, be correctly, "honestly and openly" announced in good time and officially authorised.
The German government attaches a great deal of importance to maintaining good relations with Turkey, said government spokesperson Steffen Seibert at the government press conference on Monday. In recent months, he reported, the German government has repeatedly voiced its serious concerns in the face of restrictions imposed on freedom of expression and freedom of the press in Turkey.
"We have criticised criminal proceedings launched against a large number of journalists," said Steffen Seibert. The fate of the German-Turkish journalist Deniz Yücel is typical of the restrictions imposed on the freedom of opinion and freedom of the press. "We demand fair treatment for him in line with the rule of law." The German government considers it unreasonable and disproportionate that Deniz Yücel has been remanded in custody. "We expect Deniz Yücel to be released as soon as possible," declared the government spokesperson.
"In spite of all these serious differences of opinion, we must address our differences as partners," Steffen Seibert continued. "In all clarity, and – on our side – on the basis of our values: freedom of speech, freedom of the press and freedom of assembly."
These values apply to all citizens in Germany – also to citizens in Germany with Turkish roots, stated Steffen Seibert. That is why the position of the German government on any campaign appearances by Turkish ministers in Germany is clear. "Appearances by members of the Turkish government in Germany are possible – in compliance with German law and with the pertinent legal provisions that must be respected." Appearances of this sort must, however, be announced openly, giving enough notice.
Addressing the Turkish government, Steffen Seibert said, "Let us speak openly with one another, and where necessary let us speak critically with one another. But let us not lose sight of the special importance of the close German-Turkish partnership and relations. And let us keep a cool head!"