(MENAFN- Gulf Times) Turkey's foreign ministry has issued a travel warning for Germany, cautioning citizens to be prudent while in the country, citing rising racism in that country's election campaign, anti-Turkish sentiments and alleged support for terror groups.
'Political leaders in Germany are establishing their election campaigns on foundations of being anti-Turkey and blocking our country's EU membership, the Turkish statement said, referring to German candidates who have talked about ending Ankara's EU accession process.
The move is the latest in worsening tensions between Germany and Turkey, highlighted during a referendum campaign this year in Turkey to expand the powers of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
German officials blocked some rallies from being conducted in their country.
The ongoing German general election has seen the feud deepen, with Erdogan telling Turks in Germany of whom about 1mn have the right to vote not to cast their ballots for the major parties.
Berlin called on him not to 'meddle.
German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel had previously warned against travel to Turkey.
Several German citizens including two journalists and a human rights worker are in pretrial detention in Turkish prisons, on terror-related charges.
The Turkish ministry said Germany is 'under the influence of increasing far-right and even racist rhetoric.
Ankara alleged there is discrimination against Turkish citizens 'based on their political views, cautioning them to avoid political discussions, and charged that the judiciary offered no recourse for 'xenophobia and racism.
It also decried ill treatment of Turks at German airports.
Germany has a general election this month.
Both major parties have said they want to scrap Turkey's EU accession talks.
However, EU foreign ministers shrugged off the idea at a meeting on Friday, instead stressing the need for dialogue.
Turkey has accused Germany of fanning populism domestically and trying to use the EU to deal with its bilateral relationship with Ankara.
Martin Schulz, a candidate for German chancellor in the upcoming election, offered sharp criticism of the Turkish government's latest move.
At a campaign event yesterday, Schulz said he was dismayed at this latest development, and said that 'the government in Ankara has lost the plot.
'Turkish-German relations must not develop in the manner that the government in Ankara is obviously and systematically pushing forward, said Schulz. 'Germany is not a country that can accept every such indignity from Turkey.
The candidate also stated that Turkey is distancing itself from the basic principles of international relations and of Europe in a dangerous manner, and that the people of Germany would not be impressed by such an approach from Erdogan.
In its statement, the Turkish government also charged that Germany shelters terrorist groups, naming the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and the network of the US-based Islamic cleric Fethullah Gulen.
The former is labelled a terrorist group in Turkey and the EU; the latter is not.
Terrorists 'walk freely on the streets of Germany, the ministry said.
Citizens should 'act restrained in the face of probable xenophobic and racist treatment and stay away from political meetings or events organised by 'terrorist organisations, which Turkey says are condoned by the German government.
A host of issues have strained ties, including Germany granting asylum to Turks wanted by Ankara and a Turkish refusal to let German lawmakers visit German soldiers at the country's Incirlik airbase.
Furthermore, Erdogan said some European leaders displayed Nazi-like behaviour after his ministers were barred from campaigning in some cities.
There has been growing concern among several European nations about democratic backsliding in Turkey, especially following the imposition of a state of emergency followed a failed coup attempt last year.
Some 50,000 people have been jailed and 150,000 have lost their jobs, while private companies have been seized. Scores of journalists are in jail and media houses have been shuttered.
Turkey and Europe last year reached a deal on stemming migration flows from Turkey to the continent, which has increased the importance of the often frayed partnership.
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