BERLIN — The German and Turkish foreign ministers took small steps Saturday toward restoring friendlier relations after more than a year of tension between their countries, but they made clear that significant differences remain. Turkish-European ties worsened last year amid mass arrests and firings by authorities following a July 2016 coup attempt. Relations deteriorated further after authorities in some countries — including local officials in Germany — prevented Turkish ministers from holding rallies with expatriate Turks to promote a referendum on expanding the president’s powers. A particular irritant in relations between Ankara and Berlin has been Turkey’s jailing of several German or German-Turkish nationals, including journalist Deniz Yucel, over terror-related allegations. Cavusoglu stressed the importance of “sincere co-operation” and acknowledged differences over Turkey’s stalled bid to join the European Union.

Source: National Post January 06, 2018 11:54 UTC