German FM urges Turkey to allow Bundestag lawmakers to visit Incirlik air base
Germany’s Federal Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel is strictly concerned that Turkey banned the Bundestag lawmakers to visit the Incirlik air base, Deutsche Welle reports. The German FM hopes Turkey will refuse from wrong decision.
Sigmar Gabriel said if this decision remains as final, then they will think about removing the German troops from Turkey. He expressed hope Turkey will change its stance and will allow the lawmakers to visit the air base. Currently 260 German soldiers are stationed in the Incirclik air base within the frames of fight against the “Islamic State” terrorist group.
On May 15 the Turkish government again banned the German Bundestag Defense Committee members to visit the German soldiers stationed in Incirlik air base. The German Foreign Ministry told Committee Chairman Wolfgang Hellmich that the Turkish government announced on May 10 the rejection of the request to visit the German soldiers in Incirlik air base.
One reason given for the denial of access was Germany’s granting asylum to a number of Turkish officers who faced persecution following the failed coup in Turkey on July 15 last year.
