Germany, Turkey May Sign New Intelligence Agreement to Stop IS Fighters

Sputnik News

17:13 29.01.2015(updated 17:14 29.01.2015)

The new agreement is expected to improve Turkey's border security and enhance control over cross-border movements.

MOSCOW, January 29 (Sputnik) – Germany is planning to discuss a new intelligence agreement with Turkey to enhance border security to stop German fighters, traveling abroad to join the Islamic State in Syria and Iraq, according to German newspaper "Süddeutsche Zeitung".

German security authorities consider the counterterrorism measures of Turkey insufficient, because as many German fighters have managed to enter Syria and Iraq through its territory. According to the newspaper, nearly 90 percent of German fighters went to Middle Eastern countries and tried to return through Turkish territory.

The agreement is expected to improve cooperation between German and Turkish intelligence services with regard to counterterrorism activities. German authorities claim that several times Turkish authorities failed to arrest potential would-be jihadists even when they were informed about their identities. There is also data that injured fighters, including one of the most famous German jihadists, Denis Cuspert, received medical care in Turkey and then continued their terrorist activities.

"It is more necessary than ever that Turks take further action,' Hans-Georg Maaßen, President of the Germany Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution said early January. The Chancellor's Office also announced that signing of the agreement would play a 'crucial role ' in fighting against terrorism.

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