Germany won’t make extra efforts for customs union with Turkey: Merkel

German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Wednesday said that Germany “will not make extra efforts to mantain the customs union agreement with Turkey at the moment,” according to a statement.

The statement comes as Merkel campaigns for reelection as she seeks a fourth term as German Chancellor.

In recent days, relations between the two NATO allies have deteriorated after numerous rows erupted between the two countries following Germany’s barring of Turkish officials who wanted to attend rallies in Germany.

Germany has withdrawn some 200 troops in June from Turkey’s İncirlik air base after German lawmakers were denied entry to the military facility.