01:48Belgium: Merkel threatens pulling troops from Turkey's Incirlik base, if Erdogan refuses politician visits
German Chancellor Angela Merkel stated that she would "make it clear" to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan that German soldiers' right to be visited by parliamentarians - while stationed in Turkey - was "indispensable," while speaking to press ahead of the EU-NATO leaders meeting in Brussels, Thursday.
"Otherwise we will have to leave Incirlik," she added, referring to a German base in Turkey.
On Wednesday, before flying to a NATO summit with European Union leaders, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan wished Germany a "happy journey" if Berlin decides to withdraw its forces from Incirlik.
Erdogan's comments come after German Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen said on May 17, that Germany was considering redeploying its Incirlik-based troops to Jordan. Von der Leyen's statement followed Turkey's decision to block a German parliamentary delegation's visit to Bundeswehr troops based at Incirlik.
Among those arriving for the NATO Leadership Summit were seen US President Donald Trump, UK Prime Minister Theresa May and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
01:48German Chancellor Angela Merkel stated that she would "make it clear" to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan that German soldiers' right to be visited by parliamentarians - while stationed in Turkey - was "indispensable," while speaking to press ahead of the EU-NATO leaders meeting in Brussels, Thursday.
"Otherwise we will have to leave Incirlik," she added, referring to a German base in Turkey.
On Wednesday, before flying to a NATO summit with European Union leaders, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan wished Germany a "happy journey" if Berlin decides to withdraw its forces from Incirlik.
Erdogan's comments come after German Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen said on May 17, that Germany was considering redeploying its Incirlik-based troops to Jordan. Von der Leyen's statement followed Turkey's decision to block a German parliamentary delegation's visit to Bundeswehr troops based at Incirlik.
Among those arriving for the NATO Leadership Summit were seen US President Donald Trump, UK Prime Minister Theresa May and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.