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Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan is putting at risk his countrys centuries-old ties to Germany, Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble said in a newspaper interview, as tensions escalate between the NATO allies.

Bilateral relations have deteriorated following the arrest by Turkey of six rights activists, including one German, two weeks ago as part of a wider crackdown since a failed coup against Erdogan in 2016.

He is jeopardising the centuries-old partnership.

It is dramatic, as there is really a lot that connects us. But we cant allow ourselves to be blackmailed, the minister said in an interview with daily Bild published on Monday.

Chancellor Angela Merkels chief of staff said on Sunday that Turkeys behavior was unacceptable and Germany had a duty to protect its citizens and companies, but also wanted to maintain strong bilateral ties.

Tensions were already high after bitter recriminations during a referendum in April on extending Erdogans powers and a pullout of German troops from a Turkish air base that began this month.

Ankara has refused to let German lawmakers visit soldiers at two air bases.

Volker Kauder, head of Merkels conservative bloc in parliament, said this was unacceptable.

It worries me that we have a NATO country that forbids visits by other NATO members, Kauder told broadcaster ARD.

This is an intolerable situation and we must say clearly to Turkey: this is not on.

Germany has warned its nationals traveling to Turkey that they did so at their own risk, and Schaeuble was quoted on Friday as comparing Turkey with the former communist East German state, the German Democratic Republic.

In March, German authorities barred Turkish ministers from speaking at mass rallies of expatriates backing the presidents referendum campaign.

Erdogan responded by accusing Berlin of fascist actions.

The activist arrests were part of a broader crackdown since last years failed coup.

No fewer than 150,000 people have been sacked or suspended from jobs in Turkeys civil service, military and private sector and more than 50,000 have been jailed.

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Erdogan gambling with centuries-old ties to Germany: Minister - Vanguard