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Information
Berlin, July 24, 2017 (dpa/NAN) Turkish authorities have officially withdrawn its request for information from Germany about some 700 companies it alleged of supporting terrorism, the Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere said on Monday in Berlin.
Suleyman Soylu, Turkish Interior minister told de Maiziere, his German counterpart during a phone call on Monday that reports alleging that Turkey was investigating dozens of German companies on terrorism-related charges were untrue.
He said that Ankara-based Interpol office had “officially withdrawn” a request for information about the companies from Germany’s Federal Criminal Police.
Turkish government spokesman Bekir Bozdag told reporters that the request for information on German companies was withdrawn over the weekend.
“I would like to state that there is a major communication error here.
“The information request was intended for 140 Turkish firms, not for German companies,’’ Bozdag said.
The list of companies had been one of a series of irritants in the relationship between the two NATO partners.
The two countries are currently at loggerhead over the detention of German human rights activist Peter Steudtner, who is also accused of terrorism-related crimes, and two journalists.
During a press conference last week, German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel advised German companies against investing in Turkey.
He said that it was untenable that “respectable companies” had been accused of supporting terrorism.
Gabriel also announced that Germany would review its export guarantees to Turkey, which totalled 20.6 billion euros (23.7 billion dollars) in 2016, and sharpen its advisory for German citizens travelling to Turkey.
A spokesperson for the Economy Ministry said on Monday that despite the assurance from Soylu, Turkey remains an uncertain environment for German investments and export guarantees might still be withdrawn. (dpa/NAN)
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Edited by Celine-Damilola Oyewole/Archibong Asuquo