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The German government wants the European Commission to suspend preparatory work on negotiations with Turkey about modernising the EU-Turkey Customs Union because it would send the "wrong signal”. Tensions are high between the two countries following the arrest of a Turkish-German journalist and a pullout of German troops from a Turkish air base. German officials have outlined a number of measures that they would like to see implemented at the European level to raise financial pressure on Turkey to urge them to respect the rule of law. Berlin said, given developments in Turkey, pre-accession aid (IPA) should be targeted "even more towards supporting democracy and the rule of law".

Getty Germany is begging the European Union to suspend crucial talks with Turkey

It also said the European Commission should look into suspending all pre-accession aid to Turkey if the need arises. Germany expected the Commission to "shift funding away from Turkey in a way that is meaningful compared to the overall funding Turkey receives under the IPA schemes”. Last week, as relations worsened between the major trading partners, German officials lined up to blast Turkey for threatening to tear the EU project apart. Germany’s Finance Minister Wolfgang Schäuble launched a blistering attack against Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan accusing him of jeopardising their centuries-long relationship. Mr Schäuble warned Berlin would not be “blackmailed”.

Getty Recep Tayyip Erdogan responds to a German reporter's question on an imprisoned German reporter

He added: “He [Mr Erdogan] is putting the centuries-old partnership between Germany and Turkey at risk. “It is quite dramatic — actually, we have so much in common. But we can’t let ourselves be blackmailed.” Berlin wants German rights activist Peter Steudtner and journalist Deniz Yucel to be freed as there is no apparent reason for their arrests and the government is taking every opportunity to get consular access to them, to talk with the Turkish government and with Mr Erdogan. German Chancellor Angela Merkel's chief of staff also joined the chorus of condemnation against Turkey. Peter Altmaier told Bild last week, Germany has a duty to protect its citizens and companies but also wants to maintain strong ties with Ankara.

Getty Germany’s Finance Minister Wolfgang Schäuble savaged President Erdogan

Merkel's plea for Tusk Thu, March 9, 2017 Merkel, who spoke ahead of a EU summit in Brussels, said the planned re-election of Poland's Donald Tusk as president of the European Union is a "sign of stability" for the bloc, despite bitter opposition from Warsaw Play slideshow AFP/Getty Images 1 of 7 French President Francois Hollande speaks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel on the second day of a European Summit at the Europa Building at the EU headquarters in Brussels