German gov't welcomes Turkey's Erdoğan to G20 as 'important guest'

The German government said it would welcome President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan as an important guest during the meeting of G20 leading economies in Hamburg from July 7-8, despite Berlin's  decision on June 30 to bar other public events by Erdoğan.

Spokesman Steffen Seibert told reporters he had no information indicating that Erdoğan would not attend the G20 summit and said Germany looked forward to his participation.

"I'd like to emphasise for the German government that President Erdogan is an important guest for us and we welcome his participation in the G20 summit," Seibert said.

Schaefer also said all embassies were informed on June 30 that they will have to apply for permission to stage political rallies addressing their citizens in Germany.

He said permission will automatically be denied if the country in question is scheduled to hold an election within three months of the rally. 

European Union members will be exempt from the rule.

Schaefer told reporters in Berlin that the move was the result of the "experience of recent months," citing the dispute with Ankara.

Germany also announced on June 29 that it would deny permission for Erdoğan to address Turks during his visit for the upcoming G-20 meeting in Hamburg.