German president criticisms last week of Turkish government's media and judiciary laws were defended Tuesday by Turkish foreign minister on an official visit to Austria.
"If a German president says 'I am concerned about Turkey's future' then we can say we are worried about Germany's future due to neo-Nazis", he said.
"If we should be concerned, we must be concerned about racism in Europe's streets, Islamophobia, Turkish homes set fire in Germany and insults daubed on the walls of mosques," Ahmet Davutoglu said after attending a Council of Europe meeting in Vienna.
"We need to be respected to show respect. No one can treat Turkey like a second-class European (country)."
German President Joachim Gauck had voiced concerns about freedom of expression and Turkey's recent judiciary and Internet laws during his visit in Turkey.
Davutoglu said that the German president was welcomed with Turkish hospitality added: "We will let no one insult Turkish nation."
englishnews@aa.com.tr
