Merkel threatens Poland and Turkey ahead of German polls

ANGELA MERKEL demanded the release of German nationals being held in Turkey as she took a hard line on international relations just over three weeks before German elections.

In an uncharacteristically toughtalking performance, Mrs Merkel warned that Germany could block future EU cooperation with Turkey over the dispute. The usually diplomatic German chancellor also lashed out at Poland, wading into a row with the EU over the independence of its judiciary.

“I would like to have better relations with Turkey, but we have to be realistic,” Mrs Merkel told her annual summer press conference in Berlin.

“We must see how things develop but we are calling now, very clearly, for the release of those who are imprisoned.

“Several German citizens are being held in prison, which we believe is unjustified. We therefore decided to take a new direction in our policy towards Turkey.” Germany has issued new travel advice for its citizens and is blocking talks on expanding the EU’S customs union with Turkey. “I do not see a mandate to expand the customs union in the current circumstances,” Mrs Merkel said.

She mentioned two of the Germans being held in Turkey by name: Deniz Yücel, a journalist for Die Welt newspaper who is accused of spreading terrorist propaganda, and Peter Steudtner, a human rights campaigner accused of plotting terrorist crimes at a workshop held with Amnesty International.

She was similarly uncompromising over the growing row about Polish reforms that give its justice minister the right to sack judges.

In a clear warning to the Polish government, she described the rule of law as “one of the foundations of cooperation in the EU”.

“However much I would like good relations with Poland, we cannot just stand by and say nothing for the sake of peace and quiet,” she said.