Merkel Vows ˈNo Change In Turkey Policyˈ Amid Ongoing Protests

Berlin, July 20, IRNA -- German Chancellor Angela Merkel stressed here Friday there would be ˈno changeˈ in her policy towards Turkey amid ongoing security crackdown in that country, if she would be re-elected on September 22nd. ˈIf re-elected, my Turkey policy would not change,ˈ Merkel said a press briefing, featuring hundreds of national and international media representatives. That notwithstanding, Merkel voiced concern over the harsh security repression in Turkey, saying she was ˈvery shockedˈ over some of the developments in that country. The chancellor reaffirmed the need to uphold the right to demonstrate in Turkey. The German government has reportedly been under fire for its close police and security cooperation with Turkey in the wake of the ongoing demonstrations. Numerous Turkish cities have witnessed major violent demonstrations against the government of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan who has clamped down harshly on the protests./end