Europe

Germany's Steinmeier in Turkey to discuss strained ties

Associated Press
Published | Updated

German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, left, and Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu speak before their meeting in Ankara, Turkey, Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2016. Steinmeier visits Ankara to discuss strained ties with Turkish leaders. (AP Photo/Burhan Ozbilici) (The Associated Press)

German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, second left, arrives for a meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu in Ankara, Turkey, Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2016. Steinmeier visits Ankara to discuss strained ties with Turkish leaders. (AP Photo/Burhan Ozbilici) (The Associated Press)

German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, right, and Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu walk together before their meeting in Ankara, Turkey, Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2016. Steinmeier visits Ankara to discuss strained ties with Turkish leaders. (AP Photo/Burhan Ozbilici) (The Associated Press)

Germany's foreign minister is meeting Turkish officials to discuss strained relations and concerns over the Turkish government's crackdown on the media and political opponents.

Frank-Walter Steinmeier is scheduled to meet President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and other leaders on Tuesday.

Erdogan has accused Germany of supporting terrorism after German authorities suggested that Berlin may not extradite suspects wanted by Turkey over the failed coup attempt in July, if it considers the cases are politically motivated. Erdogan has also accused Berlin of failing to clampdown on Kurdish militants allegedly operating in Germany.

Steinmeier arrived from Brussels where top European Union diplomats expressed concerns over the arrests of opposition figures.

Last week, legislators from Turkey's pro-Kurdish party and several senior staff of the opposition Cumhuriyet newspaper were arrested on terrorism-related charges.