20/07/2017 (Agence Europe) – On Thursday 20 July, Germany's Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel announced a new approach in his country's policy towards Turkey, due to the appeals of human rights defenders. According to Gabriel, Ankara's taking distance from the bedrock of European values "cannot remain without consequences". He stated that Berlin would ask other member states to review their discussions with Ankara on the customs union and accession negotiations. Germany is also reportedly planning a re-assessment of the guarantees, loans or aid that the German government or EU bring to Ankara, as well as a re-assessment of their investment in Ankara. Gabriel also warned Germans travelling in Turkey. In the view of Ibrahim Kalin, the spokesperson for Turkey's president, "trying to raise doubts in the minds of German investors is unacceptable". A high level political dialogue meeting will take place in Brussels on Tuesday 25 July. (CG)