German Tornado jets are pictured on the ground at the air base in Incirlik, Turkey, January 21, 2016. REUTERS/Tobias Schwarz/Pool
Reuters: Still not possible to open Incirlik base to Germany: Turkey minister
Turkey's foreign minister said on Tuesday it is not possible to allow German lawmakers to visit troops stationed at Turkey's Incirlik air base now, although Ankara might reconsider if it saw "positive steps" from Berlin.
Mevlut Cavusoglu also said the issue would be discussed with German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel, who is due to visit Turkey on Monday. Ties between the NATO allies deteriorated sharply in the run-up to Turkey's April 16 referendum that handed President Tayyip Erdogan stronger presidential powers.
Turkey has prevented German lawmakers from visiting the roughly 250 troops stationed at Incirlik as part of the U.S.-led coalition against Islamic State, saying that Berlin needs to improve its attitude first.
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WNU Editor: Turkey gave ground on the following yesterday .... Permission to Visit NATO Base in Konya (Bianet).... and this .... Germany gains access to journalist detained in Turkey (ABC News/AP). But on Incirlik they are calling Germany's bluff that they will leave if their lawmakers are blocked from seeing German soldiers on the base .... Germany to decide about troop withdrawal from Turkey by mid-June (Reuters). What's my take .... Germany is not bluffing .... but neither is Turkey.
More News On Turkey Telling Germany That Incirlik Air Base Will Continue To Be Closed To German Lawmakers Unless They Improve Their 'Altitude'
Turkey will not open Incirlik base to German lawmakers right now, FM Çavuşoğlu says -- Daily Sabah
Turkey says German MPs' Incirlik visit 'not possible' -- Anadolu Agency
German Lawmakers Not to Visit Incirlik While Germany Acts Against Turkey - FM -- Sputnik
Turkey not to open Incirlik to German officials unless "positive steps" seen: FM -- Xinhuanet
Turkey wants ‘positive steps’ from Germany to allow visits to Incirlik base -- RT
German foreign minister due in Turkey to discuss soured ties -- Washington Post/AP