Germany moves to calm the storm with Turkey's leader and talks tough on the outlawed PKK.
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After banning political appearances by Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the sidelines of the G20 summit, Germany is eager to show it is being even-handed.
Authorities are turning their attention to propaganda activities linked to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) on German soil.
“I think Turkey is right when it warns us and says we should not allow the PKK to carry out propaganda activities in public,” said German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel.
“The PKK has been banned in this country since the beginning of the 1990’s. And rightly so. Not only for what they have done in Turkey, but also because of protection rackets, drugs trafficking and and the arms trade in this country.”
It remains to be seen whether the move will contain a further erosion of ties with Turkey and its leader ahead of next week’s gathering in Hamburg. Germany has stressed that President Erdogan will be a welcome and valued guest.