Turkey categorically disagrees with the position of Germany, which plans to change its policy towards Ankara, Reuters reports, citing the statement of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

“We cannot agree with the statements made for political reasons and aimed at eroding the economic foundation of our cooperation. We hope the Germans will take their words back,” assistant to the Turkish President İbrahim Kalın said at a press-conference in Ankara, Lenta reports. 

Earlier, German FM Sigmar Gabriel announced that the German Government aims to reconsider its course towards Turkey. The head of the agency noted that the conditions of providing loans and economic support to Turkey, as well as Berlin’s efforts towards preparing Ankara to joining the EU will be reconsidered. The German MFA will also toughen the security recommendations for Germans wishing to leave for Turkey. This decision has already been approved by German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

The reason behind this was the arrest of German human rights consultant Peter Steudtner. Five of his colleagues, including head of Turkish representation of Amnesty International İdil Eser, were detained together with him.