Germany Urges Calm in Turkey
Germany called on Monday for calm and for dialogue in Turkey after days of clashes between anti-government protesters and police.
"In the current heightened situation, it's important that all parties demonstrate calm," government spokesman Steffen Seibert told a news conference, adding that Berlin was following events "with concern".
He said freedom of expression and assembly was "a basic right" in a democracy and that security authorities must also act "proportionally and appropriately".
"So what's now called for is de-escalation and dialogue," Seibert said.
He added that he saw "no direct effect" from the violence on Turkey's bid to join the EU.
Turkey's efforts to join the bloc formally started in 2005 but have stalled in recent years due to several stumbling blocks including its human rights record, commitment to democratic values and Cyprus, divided between its Greek- and Turkish- Cypriot communities since Turkish troops invaded the island in 1974.
About three million Turks or Germans of Turkish origin live in Germany, representing its largest ethnic minority.
Source: Agence France Presse
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