Germany ‘made mistakes’ against Turkey, admits foreign minister

Germany’s foreign minister said on Tuesday that his country had “made mistakes” against Turkey, Anadolu has reported. Sigmar Gabriel also called on the government in Ankara not to distance itself from Europe.

“Turkey should not distance itself from Europe in order to maintain its special interests,” Gabriel told German newspaper Bild. “It is an interesting region in relation to Europe’s security.”

Read: Germany glad ‘bitter’ Turkish referendum campaign over

Germany, he explained, is eager to talk with Ankara about the horizons of mutual cooperation in the future on the basis of protecting European values. “We made mistakes against Turkey, but one thing is clear, the introduction of the death penalty would be synonymous with the end of the European dream. I hope that it will not happen.”

The minister recognised that the German politicians who called for cutting relations with Turkey were pushed by “internal” political calculations. “The right thing to do now,” he insisted, “is to work steadfastly and justly.”

Gabriel stressed that his country would never accept more “division and polarisation” among its Turkish-origin citizens.

We strongly oppose the hike of political extremism indicators, as well as censorship of the people in our country,

he added.

Triumphant Erdogan swats away Western criticism of referendum

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan addresses the crowd after the results of the referendum was announced at the Presidential Complex in Ankara, Turkey on April 17, 2017 [Kayhan Özer/Anadolu Agency]