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Turkey asks Germany to explain "Islamist platform" claims

Xinhua, August 17, 2016 Adjust font size:

The Turkish Foreign Ministry on Wednesday slammed reports in Germany saying that Turkey has become "the central platform of action for Islamist groups" in the Middle East.

The reports, made by German ARD public television, disclosed a German government document that says the domestic and foreign policy of Ankara has been "Islamized" since 2011.

In a statement, the Turkish Foreign Ministry demanded that German authorities provide explanations on the the claims, describing them as "a new indication of the distorted mindset" that attempts to weaken Turkey.

The statement said that Turkey sincerely fights against all kinds of terror "no matter what their roots are," and that it expects from its partners and allies to act in the same way.

Tension between Germany and Turkey has been building up since Ankara stepped up its crackdown on those with suspected links to the July 15-16 coup attempt.

Turkey also demands that Germany extradite supporters of Fethullah Gulen, a U.S.-based cleric Ankara accused of masterminding the failed coup.

On June 2, Turkey recalled its mission chief after the German parliament adopted a resolution recognizing the 1915 killing of Armenians as "genocide."

Turkey acknowledges that many Armenians were killed in 1915 but insists that the killings did not amount to a "genocide." Endit