"The most recent example of this already sad development can be seen in what has happened to the journalists and the editor-in-chief of the newspaper Cumhuriyet," underscored Chancellor Angela Merkel at a press conference with Johann Schneider-Ammann, President of the Swiss Confederation. The German side has serious doubts that this can be reconciled with rule-of-law principles, she continued.

Solidarity with journalists

The German government will also be following very attentively the investigations and proceedings against the journalists now arrested. "The journalists can be sure of our solidarity as can all those in Turkey who are standing up for freedom of the press and freedom of expression under very difficult circumstances," said Angela Merkel.

On Monday (1 November), the German Ambassador to Turkey visited the editorial offices of "Cumhuriyet", thus underlining the importance attached to freedom of expression and freedom of the press by the German government.

Talks with the Turkish government

At the government press conference, federal government spokesperson Steffen Seibert reaffirmed that the German government will continue to raise the matter of the action being taken against journalists time and time again, very emphatically, in talks with Turkey and the Turkish government.

"What we will not do, is break off talks," stated the government spokesperson unambiguously. The German government considers it better to remain in dialogue, especially when serious problems arise, said Steffen Seibert, "and even when we condemn certain measures of the Turkish side as we condemn this measure".