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German leaders wary of Erdogan visit

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s critical remarks about German's President Joachim Gauck last month have German leaders worried that Erdogan will export Turkey’s political divisions to Germany.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Turkey's Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan address the media after talks in Berlin February 4, 2014. REUTERS/Tobias Schwarz  (GERMANY - Tags: POLITICS) - RTX187HG

A Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan hungry for votes — he has not announced his candidacy for the presidency, but is likely to — and angry with Germany over strong criticism of his policies by President Joachim Gauck during Gauck's recent visit to Turkey, is heading to Germany.

May 24 may be a crucial date, as he will appear before the Turkish community in Cologne to further his presidential ambitions and also promote Turkish-German (Turkish-European Union) relations.

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