We want normalized ties with Germany: Turkish envoy

BERLIN Turkey wants better relations with Germany but this requires effort from both sides, Ankara’s ambassador to Berlin said on Wednesday. Speaking to reporters during a visit to a Turkish business association in the German capital, Ali Kemal Aydin said the two countries had deep-rooted ties. “The Turkish side wants normalization. But it is obvious that this cannot be achieved only by the efforts of one side,” he said. Aydin said both sides should show more empathy and solidarity to overcome current problems in bilateral relations. His remarks came amid growing tensions between the two countries, as Berlin sharply criticized Ankara on Wednesday over the arrest of several human rights activists in Turkey, including a German citizen, on suspicion of aiding and abetting a terrorist organization. The German Foreign Ministry said Wednesday that it invited Aydin to the ministry to raise its concerns over the arrests. Chancellor Angela Merkel’s conservative-left coalition government is under growing pressure ahead of elections in September, as opposition parties press for a harsher tone against Turkey. Strained ties Ties between Ankara and Berlin have been strained in recent months as Turkish leaders slammed Germany for turning a blind eye to the activities of outlawed groups and terrorist organizations which are hostile to Turkey. Despite repeated requests by Ankara to arrest suspects in last July's defeated coup attempt in Turkey, German authorities have turned down extradition requests. The Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO), which organized the foiled coup bid, runs dozens of private schools, businesses and media organizations in Germany. Since the coup attempt, nearly 4,000 FETO suspects have come to Germany from Turkey and other countries, according to local media reports. Apart from FETO, the terrorist PKK group also has a large network in Germany and carries out significant propaganda, recruitment and funding activities. The group has nearly 14,000 followers in the country, according to the BfV, Germany’s domestic intelligence agency. While Turkish leaders have slammed the German authorities for not showing solidarity in the fight against terrorism, German politicians have criticized Turkey over human rights and press-freedom issues. Ties were further strained this month after Germany barred President Recep Tayyip Erdogan from addressing Turkish community representatives on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Hamburg, citing security concerns. Last week Ankara postponed a planned visit by a group of German lawmakers to a NATO base in Turkey's central Konya province, saying that such a meeting was not politically appropriate at this time.