Merkel-Yıldırım Meeting Marked by Deniz Yücel Issue

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Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım met with Germany PM Angela Merkel on February 15.

In a press conference following their meeting in Berlin, Yıldırım and Merkel underscored the importance of good relations despite differences of opinion, and signaled that the dialog between the countries would continue.

The press conference was marked by the issue of journalist Deniz Yücel, imprisoned by Turkey for the past year and still awaiting indictment. Binali Yıldırım also communicated their wish to have Germany on Turkey's side in the operations against PYD-YPG in Syria.

A reporter from BasNews held up a photograph he claimed was taken in Afrin to protest Yıldırım.

Merkel: Deniz Yücel's situation must be resolved immediately

One of the crucial issues for Germany is the release of journalist Deniz Yücel, imprisoned in Turkey for the past year and yet to receive an indictment, Germany PM Merkel emphasized in her statement to members of the press according to DW Turkish.

Recalling the release of journalist-translator Meşale Tolu and rights defender Peter Steudtner, Merkel drew attention to the condition of Deniz Yücel, imprisoned in Turkey for the past year. Merkel expressed that in her meeting with Yıldırım she had repeated the need for urgency in this matter as well as their desire that it would be resolved within the principles of a state of law.

Merkel emphasized the relations between the two countries despite the differences in opinion, stating that the two countries have "shared interested even in hard times".

Yıldırım: The lawsuits are being carried out within the principles of a state of law

PM Binali Yıldırım also spoke about Yücel.

Yıldırım asserted that all lawsuits including that of Deniz Yücel are receiving due process within the principles of a state of law, and added:

"I would like everyone to appreciate one thing. Turkey has suffered a major coup and thousands of lawsuits have been filed related to the coup attempt. There might be delays due to the workload.

"However, I would have you know that Turkey's courts, that Turkey's judiciary system is handling these issues within the confines of the law. I hope that he will soon receive a trial and a verdict." (EKN/PU)

CLICK TO READ: PM Yıldırım: I Hope Deniz Yücel Will Be Released Soon