False news targets Turkish-German ties: Business leader

Economic relations between Turkey and Germany should not be disturbed by news lacking a basis, the head of Turkey’s Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEIK) said on Friday.

"As representatives of the Turkish business world, we condemn unreal news aiming to stoke the current tension between Turkey and Germany and those publishing such news," Omer Cihad Vardan said in a written statement.

His statement came after claims that German firms are being investigated by Turkey, claims denied by Turkish authorities.

Pointing to the important strategic economic partnership between Turkey and Germany, Vardan said German companies have century-old investments in Turkey, while Turkish-origin German citizens have been contributing to the German economy for more than 50 years.

"In such a context, relations between Turkey and Germany shouldn’t be disturbed through unfounded news and information," he said. "The DEIK wants to reduce the tension between Turkey and Germany through careful statements instead of ones based on incorrect information."

Vardan noted that statements by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and other top officials support the groundlessness of these rumors.

The DEIK head highlighted that none of the long-established foreign firms in Turkey -- including German, French, Italian and Dutch ones -- have ever been subject to any mistreatment, adding: "Instead they have been accepted as Turkish firms."

"When we talk to representatives of these companies, who are also members of the DEIK, we see that there is not even a slight change in their investments plans and targets in Turkey," Vardan said, adding:

"We specifically underline this fact at a time when a negative perception of our relations with Germany has been built up, often intentionally."