Relations with Germany to normalize after German elections, Erdoğan says
ISTANBUL
"Criticism from Europe is about their internal politics," Erdoğan said in a speech in the western city of Isparta that was broadcast live on television.
"France and Austria did this before, we see that Germany follows the same strategy. I believe that this situation will improve after elections," he said, referring to the Sept. 24 polls where Chancellor Angela Merkel is running for a fourth term.
Relations between the two countries have been severely strained due to a number of reasons since last year. Germany had to withdraw its Tornado aircrafts and troops from the İncirlik base in the southern province of Adana after Ankara refused a visit by German lawmakers there due to political issues.
In a reconciliatory move, Turkey said a visit to the Konya base would be possible as German troops deployed there are operating under a NATO mission. However, this was also blocked by Turkey in protest against Berlin’s ban on a visit by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to meet the Turkish community living in Germany when he attended a G20 summit.
The row over Konya was averted after NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg intervened and suggested that a NATO visit including German lawmakers to the base should be held, with the Turkish Foreign Ministry stressing on the constructive and facilitating role of Stoltenberg.