Ankara: German Chancellor Angela Merkel
stressed the importance of freedom of opinion in talks with Turkish President
Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday, during a visit meant to help improve frayed ties
between the two NATO allies. In her first trip to Ankara since a failed
military coup in Turkey last July, Merkel said she had discussed Syria and Iraq
with Erdogan and that they had agreed on the need for closer cooperation in the
fight against terrorism.
Germany and Turkey have been at odds over
Ankara's crackdown on dissidents since the abortive July 15 coup, as well as
its claims rejected by Berlin that Germany is harboring Kurdish and
far-leftist militants. "With the (attempted) putsch, we saw how the
Turkish people stood up for democracy and for the rules of democracy,"
Merkel told a news conference, when asked about concern over proposed
constitutional changes that would strengthen Erdogan's powers.
"In such a time of profound political
upheaval, everything must be done to continue to protect the separation of
powers and above all freedom of opinion and the diversity of society," she
said, adding she had also raised the issue of press freedom. "Opposition
is part of democracy," Merkel said. Turkey's allies, including Germany,
fear Erdogan is using the coup attempt as a pretext to curtail dissent.
Erdogan's opponents also fear the planned
constitutional changes, expected to be put to a referendum in April, will lead
to an authoritarian state. Erdogan told the same news conference he expected to
receive a bill from parliament on the constitutional proposals later on
Thursday or on Friday. Once he approves it, the electoral commission will set a
date for the referendum.
"It is out of the question for the
separation of powers to be abolished," he said of the proposals, which
would replace Turkey's parliamentary system with an executive presidency. "It
gives more opportunity for the executive branch to work more swiftly. The
judiciary will retain its power and function as usual with the new
system."
Erdogan also said that Turkey may provide
evidence to the German authorities after around 40 mostly high-ranking Turkish
soldiers who worked at NATO facilities in Germany were reported to have
requested asylum.
Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Veysi Kaynak
said on Wednesday that Berlin was sheltering members of what Ankara calls the
"Gulenist Terrorist Organisation" (FETO), the network of U.S.-based
Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen, which Turkey blames for last July's coup bid.
Gulen denies involvement.
"If the Gulenists involved in the coup
are fleeing to Germany, the justice ministry may send information and
documents," Erdogan said, adding that the United States should take
quicker action on an extradition request for Gulen. Turkey's defense minister
has urged Berlin to reject the asylum applications and warned that a failure to
do so could damage relations. Berlin has said the applications will be considered
on a case-by-case basis.
More than 100,000 people have been sacked or
suspended from the police, military, civil service and private sector on
suspicion of supporting Gulen since the attempted coup. Some 40,000 people have
been jailed pending trial.The crackdown has worried rights groups and allies
including Germany. Turkey says the moves are necessary to protect democracy and
root out supporters of the failed putsch.
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