Turkey will allow German MPs to visit Incirlik base in October: Minister

PanARMENIAN.Net - The Turkish government will permit German lawmakers visit to the Incirlik Air Base in the in October following a request from Berlin, Deputy Prime Minister Nurettin Canikli said Monday, September 19, Hurriyet Daily News reports.

“We had not allowed their visit to the Incirlik base due to decisions taken by the German parliament regarding the 1915 incidents,” Canikli said referring to the Bundestag’s move to recognize the Armenian Genocide.

“…[Chancellor Angela] Merkel announced later that this was not a judicial but a political decision. This is an announcement that meets our expectations. Therefore, from now on, we will allow German parliamentarians to make visit. Permission has been given to them for a visit in October.”

Relations between Ankara and Berlin became strained after the Bundestag passed the Genocide bill, further worsening after Turkey rejected a German parliamentary delegation request in June to visit Incirlik, which hosts 250 German troops, six surveillance jets and a refueling tanker.

Berlin threatened to transfer its forces at the base to another regional country in response to Turkey’s stance.

The German troops and jets at İIcirlik contribute to the U.S.-led coalition against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) in Iraq and Syria.