German Chancellor Angela Merkel stated that there is more to Turkey than Erdoğan and announced that they won’t be making any further efforts to update the Customs Union agreement between Turkey and the EU.

THEY “FAILED TO CONVINCE EACH OTHER” IN SEVERAL TOPICS

Merkel spoke on her individual relationship with Erdoğan and said while she had the chance to talk to Erdoğan on various topics, they “unfortunately failed to convince each other in several of them.”

Merkel stated that there are “many more new issues” now compared to two years ago, and answered a question on why her government “didn’t do something” for German citizens imprisoned in Turkey, including journalist Deniz Yücel.

Merkel restated her comments in March and said, “We are doing all that we can,” and argued that they also continued their efforts for German human rights defender Peter Steudtner who was arrested in July on allegations of “involvement with a coup”.

SIGN THAT RELATIONS WILL NOT CONTINUE AS BEFORE

Merkel admitted that Deniz Yücel holding dual citizenship for both Germany and Turkey complicates the matter and said: “At that point, we do not have too much authority in the sense of rights to the consulate. But both myself and the Foreign Ministry have had the chance to create channels for communication, albeit very limited.”

Merkel said even this shows that the relations cannot be continued as before, and mentioned that some German companies are being pulled into the conflict. Merkel said they stated very clearly that the relations are strained also because of this matter and that they will have to resort to certain restrictions.

Merkel answered a question from Youtube users, “Shouldn’t there be more?”, and restated that they need to continue with the dialogue with Turkey.

THERE IS MORE TO TURKEY THAN ERDOĞAN

Merkel said they have received signals from Turkey that they “should remain in cooperation” in economic matters and stated that they have to make the call for German tourists to not go to Turkey.

When one Youtube user said it has been five months for Deniz Yücel and other journalists and asked if “another five months will pass like this”, Merkel said no new chapters had been opened in the European Union negotiations. Merkel stated that the funds allocated for Turkey as part of the accession process have been pulled back to the minimum but that it should be remembered that “there is more to Turkey than Erdoğan.”

THE ANTI-ERDOĞAN 50% WANT CONTINUED RELATIONS

Angela Merkel said more than 48% of the population said “No” in the referendum and claimed that many circles in Turkey want a continued dialogue and they “don’t want to send the wrong signal to those people.”

Merkel repeated that she does not support Turkey’s membership to the EU, and added that despite that they are only providing the pre-accession funds that they know where they are spent.

Merkel added that negotiations to expand and improve the Customs Union are not on their agenda.