Germany’s Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier announced that he will visit Turkey next week and added that it is important “not to slam the door” on Ankara despite Berlin’s disapproval of the repressions on the part of Turkish authorities after the unsuccessful coup attempt, reported Reuters.
The termination of the negotiations with Turkey on a full membership of the EU will harm Turkish citizens, as well as the government, stated Steinmeier during a parliamentary debate when announcing his decision to visit Turkey on November 15.
He added, however, that the reinstatement of capital punishment in Turkey will “undoubtedly” mean “an end” to the negotiations with Ankara on membership in the EU.
According to Steinmeier, Germany will continue to press Ankara to respect the rule of law.