JUNG HAS NO COMMENT ON CLAIMS ABOUT INTERROGATION OF ASGHARI IN GERMANY
ANKARA - German Defense Minister Joseph Jung did not comment on claims regarding the interrogation of Ali Reza Asghari, former deputy minister of defense of Iran (who went missing after checking into an Istanbul hotel), in Germany.
Jung, who is currently in Turkey, held a joint news conference with his Turkish counterpart Vecdi Gonul at German Embassy in Ankara on Tuesday.
When recalled that Greek Cypriot administration signed agreements with several countries including France, and asked whether Germany--as EU President-- is sharing uneasiness of Turkey about this issue, Jung said that Germany will act with the consciousness of being an EU President.
Recalling that there are important joint projects between Turkey and Germany, Jung said upon another question that Germany will not sign a similar agreement with Greek Cypriot administration.
On the other hand, when asked about Turkey`s position towards NATO talks on creating a missile defense shield, Turkish Minister Gonul said, "currently Turkey is not taking part in such a project. Turkey is building its own air defense system based on its national capabilities."
GERMANY IS THE BIGGEST COMMERCE PARTNER OF TURKEY, GONUL
Gonul noted that Germany is the biggest commerce partner of Turkey, adding that the foreign trade volume of the two countries is 25 billion USD.
Gonul said that 41 German officers have been trained in Turkey so far within the scope of military training cooperation between the two countries.
"We have discussed recent developments in security organizations in which both Turkey and Germany took part. I believe bilateral relations as well as relations within the scope of EU will record progress during Germany`s EU Presidency," noted Gonul.
On the other hand, German Minister Jung said that Turkey and Germany pursue joint studies and projects to restore peace and stability in various regions.
Noting that Germany has some expectations from Turkey to restore stability in western Balkans, Jung said that they will exert efforts to bring European perspective to the region during his country`s EU Presidency.
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