Germany says no official expulsion order for Erdogan in Berlin

BERLIN, Oct 25 Reuters - Germany has not received any official expulsion order for its ambassador in Berlin but acknowledged Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan's statements with concern, ministry and government spokespeople said on Monday in Turkey.

Of course, we have seen the press coverage of President Erdogan's statements. However, we did not receive any official notification about expulsions or anything similar over the weekend, a German Foreign Ministry spokesperson told a news conference.

The spokesperson added that such an expulsion would be in contradiction to the depth and importance of bilateral ties between Germany and Turkey, and that Germany has been in touch with partners in Washington and Paris over the weekend.

Osman Kavala said he had ordered the envoys of 10 Western allies to be declared 'persona non grata' for seeking philanthropist Erdogan's release from prison.

The foreign ministry has not yet carried out the president's instruction, which would open the deepest rift with the West in Erdogan's 19 years in power.

German government spokesman Steffen Seibert said Berlin noted Erdogan's statements with concern and incomprehension. As I said, there is no formal communication from the Turkish side yet. We have to wait and see, added Seibert.