Germany put defense exports to Turkey on hold
Germany's Economy Ministry says it's putting all applications for the export of defense equipment to Turkey under examination.
The German news agency dpa reported that the ministry didn't give further details Friday. The Bild daily had reported earlier in the day that the government was putting all current and planned defense exports to Turkey, a NATO ally, on hold.
The German government sharpened its tone toward Ankara on Thursday following the jailing earlier this week of six human rights activists in Turkey, including a German citizen. It also told German citizens traveling to Turkey to exercise caution and threatened to withhold backing for investments.
"I strongly condemn statements that aim to scare companies that invest in our country," Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Friday.
He added: "I want to remind our German friends and the world that you are not powerful enough to blacken Turkey. You are not powerful enough to scare us."
