Zeybekçi says German investments fully guaranteed, denies targeting firms

Turkey's economy minister said German investments in Turkey were fully guaranteed by both the Turkish government and its laws, and denied claims Ankara gave Berlin a list of companies it was targeting for suspected links to last year's coup attempt.

In an interview with Reuters, Nihat Zeybekçi sought to calm the rising tension between the two NATO allies, saying the crisis with Germany was temporary and both sides must refrain from talk that would cause lasting economic damage.

"The allegation that Turkish authorities gave Germany the names of German companies linked to Gülen is not true. This is fake news," Zeybekçi said in the interview in Ankara late on Thursday.

"The Turkey-Germany crisis is temporary. One must refrain from words that would cause lasting harming to the economies. Germany must reassess comments that are inappropriate."

Germany on Thursday threatened measures that could hinder German investment in Turkey.

Turkish Presidential Spokesman İbrahim Kalın said Turkey strongly condemned the statements claiming that German citizens traveling to Turkey are not safe, and German companies in Turkey have hesitations and concerns. "This is out of question," Kalın added.