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The Union of European Turkish Democrats had been due to hold one rally later Thursday in the western town of Gaggenau, with Turkeys Justice Minister Bekir Bozdag as the guest speaker.

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But Gaggenau authorities withdrew an earlier agreement for the group to rent a hall for the event, saying it did not have the capacity to host so many people.

Because the event is now known across the region, the city expects a large number of visitors. However, the Bad Rotenfels hall, parking lots and access road are insufficient to meet that demand, the towns authorities said in a statement.

Due to these reasons, the hall rental agreement with the UETD has been revoked, it added.

Separately, Cologne city authorities said they would no longer allow the UETD to use a hall on Sunday, when Turkish Economy Minister Nihat Zeybekci is expected to make a rally speech.

The event can and will not happen there, a spokeswoman for Cologne city authorities told AFP.

It was unclear if Zeybekci would be able to find an alternative site.

The UETD had earlier reserved a room in the city hall of the Cologne-Porz district for a theatre event, said the spokeswoman.

But on Wednesday, the group said it would now host an information event.

The city said however that it would no longer make the site available to the group, citing difficulties in guaranteeing security at such short notice.

Turkish politicians including Prime Minister Binali Yildirim have sparked controversy over their visits to Germany to hold political rallies.

Germany is home to about three million people of Turkish origin, the legacy of a massive guest worker programme in the 1960s and 70s and the biggest population of Turks in the world outside of Turkey.

And Erdogans government is keen to harness their votes for the April 16 referendum, which would discard the post of prime minister for the first time in Turkeys history.

Critics say the new presidential system will cement one-man rule in the country.

Berlin-Ankara relations have been strained by a series of disputes since the failed coup that aimed to oust Erdogan last July.

The latest issue dogging ties is Ankaras provisional detention of a German journalist on terrorism-related charges.

Deniz Yucel, 43, a correspondent of the German newspaper Die Welt, has been held since February 18 in connection with news reports on an attack by hackers against the email account of Turkeys energy minister.

Berlins sharp criticism of Ankaras massive crackdown after the failed putsch has also irked Turkey.

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German Local Authorities Halt Pro-Erdogan Turkish Islamist Rallies - Breitbart News

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoan has called for better cooperation in the field of energy and more connectivity among member states to strengthen the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO).

Speaking at the 13th ECO Summit in the Pakistani capital Islamabad Wednesday, Erdoan said Turkey would support all initiatives aimed at realization of such an objective.

The president said despite the fact the ECO includes more than 6 percent of the world's total population, its share in global trade is a mere 2 percent.

First of all, we have to take steps to increase intra-trade among member states. Activating the ECO trade agreement is an important means for the liberalization of trade among us," Erdogan said.

He said the over 400-million population of the 10-nation bloc has great potential.

The ECO also represents our common values, deep-rooted history and brotherhood. The summit gives us a very important opportunity to look at the general picture of the organizationsee our deficiencies and strengthen our vision accordingly," the president said.

He also called for reforms in the ECO, especially in terms of strengthening the member states' human resources, and a mechanism for ownership of projects and budgets.

Erdogan also highlighted the need for greater cooperation in environmental, agricultural and tourism sectors.

He said Turkey has carried out many large-scale transportation projects such as Istanbul's Marmaray, Eurasia Tunnel, Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge, Osman Gazi Bridge, and high-speed rail lines, which have strengthened the transportation capacity of not only Turkey but also ECO members.

He said member states need to work hand-in-hand to overcome regional problems.

- Iran's Rouhani backs ECO

In his speech, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said the ECO can play a vital role in building the economic future of the region, but he too called for restructuring of the organization.

"Connectivity will help development and prosperity in the region," Rouhani said.

Mustafa Akinci, president of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus which has an observer status in the bloc, said his country wants to contribute more effectively to the organization's work. He asked the ECO for its support in tourism and education sectors.

"We want to find a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus issue," Akinci added.

- Vision 2025

The ECO's 13th summit concluded after the leaders adopted the Islamabad Declaration and Vision 2025, which called for greater regional cooperation and integration over the next decade.

Speaking later at a press conference, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said the ECO Vision-2025 sets pragmatic and realistic goals along with listing an implementation framework.

Sharif said the 13th summit emphasizes on the need for regional cooperation in the energy field, focus on infrastructure development and intra-regional energy corridors.

ECO has taken important steps to promote connectivity and regional trade and tourism, Sharif added.

China's Executive Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Yesui also joined the summit and put emphasis on connectivity.

Strict security measures were taken in Islamabad for the summit. All main roads leading to the summit venue had been closed off to traffic. A public holiday was also declared in the capital due to the summit.

The ECO was founded by Turkey, Iran and Pakistan in 1985. In 1992, the organization expanded to include seven new members, including Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoan has vowed to increase trade between Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) countries by upgrading air, land and sea transport. "My country is ready for any innovation that may increase the trade volume because we are giving big importance to the 2023 targets of Turkey," Erdoan said during the 13th Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) summit that opened on Wednesday in the Pakistani capital Islamabad. Erdoan also called on ECO countries to take bigger steps, adding that political approaches are closely associated with investments.Erdoan arrives in Pakistan to attend economic summit "I also believe that it is important to touch on the problems that Azerbaijani is facing due to the Armenian occupation in Nagorno-Karabakh," Erdoan said. "The Armenia occupation continues despite 20 years of diplomatic efforts. We should propose this issue for the agenda more often and take determined steps as the Islamic Cooperation Organization," he said. Erdoan also mentioned the significance of ECO member countries' role in stopping bloodshed, particularly in Syria, Iraq and Yemen Leaders from Turkey, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan are attending the summit.Erdoan welcomed to Pakistan with official ceremony The ECO was established in 1985 by Iran, Turkey, and Pakistan. It succeeded the Regional Cooperation for Development, which was founded in 1964 to promote cooperation among member states. In 1992, the organization welcomed seven new members: Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Afghanistan. The Treaty of Izmir, signed in 1977 and subsequently amended in 1996, was the group's legal foundation. Following Erdogan's arrival, the ECO Council of Ministers issued a statement on the adoption of the ECO Vision 2025, which will serve as a guideline for the organization's medium-term strategy.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoan arrived in the Pakistani capital Islamabad on Tuesday evening to attend the 13th Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) summit, state-run Pakistan Television said.The live broadcast showed Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal receive Erdoan at the Noor Khan air base following a 21-gun salute. First Lady Emine Erdoan also accompanied the president. The summit will open Wednesday. Erdoan was also presented with a guard of honor by a contingent from the Pakistani armed forces. He is due to meet heads of states and representatives from ECO member states on the sidelines of the summit.He later met Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan separately.Leaders from Turkey, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan are attending the summit, Foreign Ministry spokesman Nafees Zakaria told Anadolu Agency. The ECO was established in 1985 by Iran, Turkey, and Pakistan. It succeeded the Regional Cooperation for Development, which was founded in 1964 to promote cooperation among member states. In 1992, the organization had welcomed seven new members: Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Afghanistan. The Treaty of Izmir, signed in 1977 and subsequently amended in 1996, was the group's legal foundation. Following Erdogan's arrival, the ECO Council of Ministers issued a statement on the adoption of ECO Vision 2025, which will serve as a guideline for the organization's medium-term strategy.

Relations between Pakistan and Turkey are excellent" and will deepen with a coming free-trade agreement (FTA) a senior Pakistani official said on Tuesday. A long-pending FTA between the two nations is in the final stages, Sartaj Aziz told Anadolu Agency on the sidelines of a foreign ministers' meeting of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) in Islamabad. Trade volume between the two countries stood at around $610 million in 2016, with exports from Turkey recorded at $346 million and imports from Pakistan at $263 million, according to the Turkish Statistical Institute. Commenting on claims ECO cooperation had not reached optimal levels, Aziz said a lack of resources to build infrastructure was being discussed. According to Aziz, China's One Belt, One Road initiative will help the organization achieve its objectives. The ECO was founded by Turkey, Iran and Pakistan in 1985. In 1992, the organization expanded to include seven new members, namely Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. Speaking at the ECO foreign ministers' meeting earlier on Tuesday, Aziz said a lack of regional connectivity was a major impediment to economic cooperation. He said joint efforts were needed to transform the ECO into a formidable economic bloc through full exploitation of its resources. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is expected to arrive to Islamabad late on Tuesday to attend the 13th summit of the 10 ECO countries on Wednesday.

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Erdoan in Pakistan urges closer ties among ECO states - Yeni afak English

Recep Tayyip Erdoan and Angela Merkel in 2012. The Turkish president has increasingly cracked down on press freedom. Photograph: Michael Sohn/AP

Angela Merkel is facing calls to ban the Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdoan, from entering Germany while a German journalist continues to be held in an Istanbul prison.

Erdoan, who campaigned in Germany in 2011 and 2014, was rumoured to be planning a political rally to secure the symbolically important diaspora votebefore Aprils referendum in Turkey on giving him greater powers.

But Merkels government is under increasing pressure from German coalition and opposition parties to stand up to the Turkish president after the Turkey correspondent of Die Welt newspaper, Deniz Ycel, last month became the first German citizen to be arrested as part of Erdogans crackdown on the press.

Ralf Jger, the interior minister of North-Rhine Westphalia and a member of the Social Democratic party that forms a coalition with Merkels CDU, called on the government to ensure that such rallies take place neither in North-Rhine Westphalia or elsewhere in Germany. Stephan Mayer, of the Bavarian party CSU, said a Turkish president who imprisoned German journalists was not welcome as a guest in Germany.

Sevim Dadelen, a Left party MP with Kurdish origins, said Merkel had a political duty and the legal means to stop the Turkish head of state from campaigning on German soil for the abolition of democracy and the introduction of the death penalty.

Austria has already told Erdogan he is not welcome to campaign for votes amongst the Turkish diaspora in the country, with foreign minister Sebastian Kurz saying in a statement that we clearly reject bringing the Turkish campaign and polarisation to Austria.

But on Wednesday Merkels spokesman said a ban would send the wrong signal.

Steffen Seibert said: The German government deplores the fact that freedom of speech and freedom of the press are currently limited in Turkey to an unacceptable degree.

If we deplore this in another country, then we should be even more alert to make sure that freedom of speech is respected, within the framework of the law, in our own country. We should demonstrate what we demand from others.

Niels Annen, the Social Democrats foreign policy spokesman, praised the governments decision to rule out a ban but said the current diplomatic crisis was a result of the German chancellor letting the refugee swap deal between Turkey and the EU influence her dealings with Erdoan. Merkel is no longer a believable advocate for democracy and the rule of law in Turkey, he said.

In the referendum on 18 April, the Turkish public will vote on proposed changes that would boost the powers of the president, allowing Erdoan to scrap the post of prime minister, control budgets, appoint more judges and stay in office for two more terms.

The support of the Turkish diaspora in Germany, a community of about 1.4 million people, holds an important symbolic significance to Erdoans party. Pictures of German stadiums filled with pro-Erdoan supporters allow the AKP to project itself back to Turkey as the one party that protects Turks around the world, said Alexander Clarkson, a researcher on the interaction between German politics and migrant communities at Kings College London.

In reality, he said, the impression of overwhelming support for Erdoan among Turks living in Germany is a statistical card trick. Clarkson added: Of those with Turkish roots entitled to vote at the last election, only 40% turned out to the polling booth, of which 60% voted for Erdoan. Many diaspora Turks in Germany are indifferent to Turkish politics, if not actively hostile to the current president.

TGD, an association that represents a large part of the Turkish community in Germany, has announced that it will campaign for a no vote in the referendum, stating in a resolution that it rejects all attempts to turn the country into a one-man regime.

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Angela Merkel urged to ban Erdoan over jailed German journalist - The Guardian

Express.co.uk

Why some German politicians want Erdogan banned BBC News "German-Turkey relations are facing one of their greatest challenges of the modern era," German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel said, a day after a German-Turkish journalist was formally charged in Turkey with producing terrorist propaganda and ... Merkel BLASTS president Erdogan's 'bitter and disappointing' regime for journalist arrestExpress.co.uk Merkel Risks Tension With Erdogan Over Turkish Reporter's ArrestBloomberg Die Welt reporter Deniz Ycel arrested over stories on Erdoan's son-in-lawTurkey Purge Albuquerque Journal -malaysiandigest.com -Deutsche Welle all 85 news articles »

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Why some German politicians want Erdogan banned - BBC News

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan gestures as he delivers a speech during a city planning meeting in Ankara on January 27th 2017. Photo: AFP

Turkey has slammed Austria's "double standard" and "irresponsible" approach to potential campaigning by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the EU member state ahead of April's referendum.

Austrian Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz said Erdogan is "not welcome" to hold campaign events, adding that it would "increase friction" in Austria and prevent the integration of a 360,000-strong minority of Turkish origin.

"We do not accept those irresponsible comments that exceed their limits andthe distorted mentality," Turkish foreign ministry spokesman Huseyin Muftuoglusaid in a statement lateon Monday.

Kurz's comments are a "new example of a biased and double standardapproach", he added.

Turkey will hold anApril 16threferendum on changing the constitution togive Erdogan an executive presidency along the lines of that in France or inthe United States.

The Turkish government says the changes would bring stability whileopponents fear it would hugely boost Erdogan's powers and drag Turkey intoone-man rule.

Speaking in Viennaon Monday, Kurz said his government was clearly againstbringing the "the Turkish campaign and (the resulting) polarisation to Austria" in remarks deemed as "worrying" by the Turkish foreign ministry.

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Turkey angry after Erdogan is told he can't campaign in Austria - The Local Austria