Ankara: dispute between Turkey, Germany won't benefit both nations

ANKARA, Sept 12 (KUNA) -- Turkey's Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said Tuesday that current relation dispute with Germany would not benefit both nations.
In a joint press conference with Pakistan Foreign Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Cavusoglu noted that the issue of attacking Turkey by German officials has become the main topic in election campaigns there.
"We increase national and local production in all areas, and produce our own fighter jets, helicopters," Cavusoglu said.
Freezing Germany's weapons exports to Turkey could only strengthen the local Turkish arms industry, the minister noted.
Cavusoglu was reacting to remarks by his German counterpart, Sigmar Gabriel, who said Monday that Berlin was putting most arms exports to Turkey "on hold" due to recent bilateral tensions.
"These kinds of approaches actually cause the strengthening of our own defense industry," Cavusoglu said.
The minister praised remarks made earlier by Germany Chancellor Angela Merkel, and described Germany as a friendly nation, calling on Berlin to move forward to enhance relations. (end) rs.mb