Turkish foreign minister to speak in Germany despite venue closure March 7, 2017 - 13:35 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Turkey's foreign minister said he would go ahead with a planned rally with Turkish voters in Germany on Tuesday, March 7 despite local authorities' closure of the venue, escalating a row between two NATO allies over campaigning for a Turkish referendum, Reuters reports. "I will go. Nobody can stop me," Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu told Hurriyet daily after a municipal spokeswoman in Hamburg said the center the minister planned to speak at had been closed down because it lacked a fire detection system. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan accused Berlin on Sunday of "fascist actions" after local authorities in Germany withdrew permission for three other rallies supporting his plans to overhaul Turkey's constitution and win greater powers. The proposals go to a referendum in April. Erdogan seeks strong support from Germany's Turkish community of 1.5 million voters to ensure passage of powers he says are vital for the security of a country facing threats from Islamist and Kurdish militants and still recovering from a failed July coup. Turkish diplomatic sources said a new venue was being sought for Cavusoglu's meeting. "They are trying to cancel all of our programs by exercising a pressure that is unprecedented in history...They are pressuring private properties and wedding halls to get contracts canceled," Cavusoglu said.  Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads.   Partner news |  Latest news Pasadena to host Armenian Genocide commemoration event  The Pasadena Armenian Coalition will host its community-wide Armenian Genocide Commemorative Event.Armenia: Opposition activist transferred to Investigative Committee Activist Samvel Vardanyan has been accused of insulting the lawmaker Hakob Aslanyan from the ruling Civil Contract party.Former Pashinyan envoy urges end to Genocide speculation Marukyan has urged authorities in Armenia stop discussions about verifying the names of 1.5 million victims.Azerbaijan, Jordan sign deal on defense cooperation Azerbaijan and Jordan have signed an agreement on cooperation in the field of defense, according to an official statement. |
