Germany does not believe that a rapprochement of relations between Turkey and Russia will affect Turkey’s role in the NATO alliance. A spokeswoman for the German Foreign Ministry said it was important for both countries to communicate given the threatening situation in the region, and their respective roles in ending the civil war in Syria. “We do not believe that the rapprochement between Turkey and Russia will have consequences for the security partnership within NATO. Turkey is and remains an important partner within NATO,” said Sawsan Chebli, German Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman. With regard to reports that the Turkish government is considering to reinstate the death penalty following the failed coup attempt, Germany’s government deputy spokeswoman warned Ankara that it would result in the end of accession talks of the Sunni-Muslim country into the European Union. “It is clear that there is no place in the EU for a country where the death penalty exists. And a reintroduction of the death penalty in Turkey would mean the end of the accession talks,” said Ulrike Demmer, Deputy Government Spokeswoman.
