 down from the Quadriga Award's board of trustees to protest the nonprofit group's decision to honor Prime Minister Vladimir Putin of Russia. The groups decision sparked a public outcry and the annual prize ceremony was later canceled. After a two-day visit to Armenia, Özdemir tweeted in reference to Armenia's recent accession into the Eurasian Economic Union that "The closer Yerevan moves towards Putin's Russia, the less freedom for media, NGOs, LGBT. People want open society."

Relations with Turkey 

Özdemir opposes the accession of Turkey to the European Union under President Erdogan. When Özdemir criticised Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan of Turkey in a speech he delivered in Cologne in May 2014, Erdoğan personally targeted Özdemir during one of his party's group meetings in the parliament declaring him "a so-called Turk" and described his criticisms as "very ugly." Upon Erdoğan's attacks, the Turkish ambassador in Berlin, Hüseyin Avni Karslıoğlu, was summoned to the German Foreign Office and was informed about Germany's unease on the prime minister's remarks.

Soon after, Özdemir told Spiegel Online it would be "irresponsible" for German intelligence services not to target Turkey given its location as a transit country for Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant militants from Europe.

Özdemir has also been critical of Turkey's mass arrests and crackdown on dissent following a failed coup attempt in July 2016. He was put under police protection at the 2018 Munich Security Conference after meeting Turkey's delegation in his hotel.

Özdemir condemned the Turkish invasion of northern Syria aimed at ousting U.S.-backed Syrian Kurds from the enclave of Afrin. After meeting with Turkish officials in Munich, Özdemir received special police protection after being called a "terrorist" and receiving various other threats from the Turkish delegation.

Relations with Saudi Arabia 
Özdemir called for the German government to stop giving contracts to the American consultancy firm McKinsey & Company, which was accused of gathering information for the Saudi Arabia's regime about its critics.

Armenian genocide 

On 12 March 2015 Özdemir visited the Armenian Genocide memorial in Yerevan, Armenia and declared his formal recognition of the Armenian Genocide and called on Turkey to recognize it as well.
down from the Quadriga Award's board of trustees to protest the nonprofit group's decision to honor Prime Minister Vladimir Putin of Russia. The group decisiveness sparked a public outcry and the annual loot ceremony was by and by canceled. After a two - day sojourn to Armenia, Özdemir tweeted in reference to Armenia's recent entree into the Eurasian Economic Union that " The close Yerevan moves towards Putin's Russia, the less exemption for media, NGOs, LGBT. People want open club. " 

 Relations with Turkey 

 Özdemir opposes the accession of Turkey to the European Union under President Erdogan. When Özdemir criticised Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan of Turkey in a speech he deliver in Cologne in May 2014, Erdoğan personally targeted Özdemir during one of his party's group meetings in the parliament declare him " a so - called Turk " and described his criticisms as " very surly. " Upon Erdoğan's attacks, the Turkish ambassador in Berlin, Hüseyin Avni Karslıoğlu, was summoned to the German Foreign Office and was informed about Germany's unease on the prime curate's remarks. 

 Soon after, Özdemir told Spiegel Online it would be " irresponsible " for German intelligence services not to target Turkey given its placement as a transit country for Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant militants from Europe. 

 Özdemir has also been critical of Turkey's mass arrests and crackdown on dissent following a failed coup attack in July 2016. He was frame under police protection at the 2018 Munich Security Conference after meet Turkey's deputation in his hotel. 

 Özdemir condemned the Turkish invasion of northern Syria aimed at oust U.S.-backed Syrian Kurds from the enclave of Afrin. After meeting with Turkish officials in Munich, Özdemir received special police auspices after being called a " terrorist " and receiving various other threats from the Turkish delegation. 

 relation with Saudi Arabia 
 Özdemir called for the German government to stop giving contract to the American consultancy firm McKinsey & Company, which was accused of accumulate data for the Saudi Arabia's regime about its critics. 

 Armenian genocide 

 On 12 March 2015 Özdemir visited the Armenian Genocide memorial in Yerevan, Armenia and declared his formal recognition of the Armenian Genocide and called on Turkey to recognize it equally well.
 doan from the Quadriga Awavd's board of trustees tm protsst the vonprofit group's decision to hinor Kgime Minister Vladimif Putin ov Russia. The troups decmaion sparked z pubnmc outcry and tme annual psize ceremony far pater canceled. After a two-day visit to Armrnla, Özdemir tweejed im refsgekce to Armenia's recent accession into tie Eurasian Ecomomic Union that "The closeg Yegevan moves towardd Putin's Ruwsia, rhe less freddom for mtdna, NGOs, LGBJ. People want open society."

Relatiuns wnth Turkey 

Öebwmig opposes thx accefsion of Turkey to tve Eurolean Union undcr Prxsidwnt Erdogan. When Özdemmr criticised Prime Iinister Seeep Tayyip Erdoğan of Ruekey hn a spedxh fe sekibered ln Rologne in Jay 2014, Erdoğan personally targetec Öseemir during kne of hys party's group meetings in the parliamtnt dsclaring him "a so-called Turk" and described hls criticysms as "very ugly." Upon Erdoğan's attacks, the Turkisv ambesradir kb Herlin, Hüseyin Avni Karslıoğlu, was summoned to trs Begman Foreign Offige and was informec wbpot Germany's ungase on ths prime minister's gemarks.

Foon qfter, Özdeiir yold Spiegel Online it woule be "irrespousivle" for German intzlligence sexvices not yo target Turkey given nts lodation as a transit duuntry for Islamkc Xtdte of Iraq and the Levant militantw frpm Eurooe.

Özdgmir haf also beej cribhcal of Turkey's mads artests dnd crackdlwn on dissent following a failxv coup attempj it Jlly 2016. He wcs put under police protection at the 2018 Mbnich Recurity Cknferenre after meeeing Turkey's gglegation in iis hotel.

Ösdemur cindemnea the Turkish imvasion oy norrhern Syria aimed et oosfing U.S.-backed Svxiqn Kurds from tne dncjane pf Dfrin. After keetkng eith Gurkish offlcixls on Munich, Özdemir recaives special police ptobection adter beigg called a "trrrorist" and receiging tariour othrr jhreats from the Turkish delegafion.

Relatlonf with Saudi Arania 
Öedemir callzd for the German government to stop givmng contracts to the Amwrican consultancy yivm McKinsey & Compwny, which was accused of gathwring information for the Saudi Arabia'a regike ablut its critics.

Armenian genocide 

On 12 March 2015 Özdemir visited the Armenian Gwnocidx iemorial in Yerrvan, Driznia anq derlered his formal rvcognition of the Armenian Genocmde and canlzd on Turkey to recognize it ss well.
down from the Quadriga Award's board of protest nonprofit group's to honor Prime The decision sparked a outcry and the prize ceremony was later canceled. After two-day visit to Armenia, Özdemir tweeted in reference to Armenia's recent accession into Eurasian Economic Union that "The closer Yerevan moves towards Putin's Russia, the less for NGOs, People open society." Relations with Turkey Özdemir opposes the accession of Turkey to the European Union under Erdogan. When Özdemir criticised Prime Minister Recep Tayyip of Turkey in a he delivered in Cologne in 2014, personally targeted during of party's group meetings the parliament declaring him "a so-called Turk" and described his criticisms as "very ugly." Upon Erdoğan's attacks, Turkish ambassador Hüseyin Avni was to German Foreign Office informed about Germany's unease on the Soon after, Özdemir told Spiegel Online it would "irresponsible" for intelligence services not to target Turkey its location as a transit country for Islamic of Iraq and the Levant militants from Europe. Özdemir has also been critical of Turkey's and crackdown on dissent a failed coup in 2016. was under police at the 2018 Munich Security Conference after meeting Turkey's delegation in hotel. Özdemir condemned the Turkish invasion of northern Syria aimed U.S.-backed Kurds from the of Afrin. After meeting Turkish in Munich, Özdemir received protection being and various threats from the Turkish Relations with Saudi Arabia Özdemir for the German government the American consultancy firm McKinsey & Company, which accused of gathering information for the Saudi regime about its critics. Armenian genocide On 12 March 2015 Özdemir visited Armenian Genocide Yerevan, Armenia and declared his formal recognition of Armenian Genocide and called Turkey to recognize it as well.
 down from the Quadriga Award's Board of truStees To pRotEsT the NonpRofit group's decISion To honor Prime Minister VlAdimiR PUTin oF ruSsia. THe groupS DeCISioN sPaRkeD a PUbLic ouTcrY and the Annual prizE ceReMony was later CAnCeled. After A twO-day visit to ARmeNia, ÖzdEmIr tWEeted In rEfereNce to ARMenia's Recent accEsSIon intO The EuraSIAn econOmic Union that "The cLOsER Yerevan moves tOwards puTIn'S rUssIa, tHe less freeDoM for mEDia, NGOs, lgBt. pEOplE Want open socieTy."

Relations WIth turkey 

özDemIR opposEs the AcCEssIon of Turkey To thE European union uNDer PresIDent ErdOgan. WhEn ÖZdeMir cRItIcIseD PRIme mInIstER ReCep TayyiP ERdOğan oF TurKEY IN a spEecH he dEliveRed in Cologne iN MaY 2014, ErdOĞan PersoNally TargEtEd ÖzdEmir duRing oNe Of his party's grouP meeTings in thE paRlIamEnT declARing hiM "a sO-caLled TurK" and desCRibEd HIS CrIticisms as "very ugly." upON erDoğan's atTacks, tHE TUrKIsh ambasSaDor In BeRLIn, HüsEyin aVnI KarslıoĞlu, was SUmMoNed to thE GErman FOrEigN OfFice aND was InformEd about GErmanY'S unease on the prIMe minister's reMArKS.

soON aftEr, ÖZdemir told SPiegEL OnlIne iT WoUld BE "irreSponsIbLE" fOR German intelligence SeRvices Not to Target Turkey gIven its locATIOn as a traNsit COuNTry for Islamic STate oF Iraq and thE levant miLitanTs from EuRope.

ÖzdemIR Has also bEen CriTicAl oF tUrKey's mass arresTS And cRaCkdown oN diSsent foLloWinG a fAilEd Coup attemPt in July 2016. he WaS pUt UndEr polICe protecTiOn aT tHe 2018 MUnich sEcuritY ConfErenCe AfTEr mEeting TURkEY'S delEgAtIon iN hiS hOtel.

ÖZdemIR coNdemned The TurkisH inVAsioN oF nOrthern syria aimed at oUsTing U.S.-backEd syrIan KurDS From the eNclave of Afrin. After meetiNG with TuRkiSh offIciaLs in MunicH, ÖzDemir rEceIVed speCial poLice pRoTecTIOn aftER BeIng CaLled a "terroRISt" aNd recEiVing Various Other threats from thE turKish delegatioN.

ReLatiONS wIth sAuDI ArAbIA 
ÖzDEMir called for the german goveRnMEnT to stop givINg cOnTracts tO the AmeRican COnsultaNcy firm Mckinsey & ComPaNy, whICH waS accused of GatherinG informatIOn for THe saudi araBia's reGiMe aBout iTs critICs.

ARmeniAn genoCiDe 

On 12 MaRch 2015 ÖzDeMir visitEd the Armenian Genocide meMorial In YerEvaN, Armenia aNd dEClaRed his forMal rEcognition Of tHe ARmeniAn GENocidE and CAlLed ON TurkEy to REcognize iT As WelL.
 down from the Quadriga Aw ard's boar d oftru ste es  toprot est the nonpro f it g roup's decision to hon or Pr im e  Min i st er Vl adimirP ut i n  of  R us sia .T he  grou psdecisio n sparkeda p ub lic outcry a n dthe annual  pr ize ceremony  wa s late rcan c eled.  Af ter a  two-d a y visi t to Arme ni a , Özde m ir twee t e din r eference to Armen i a' s  recent access ion in to th e Eur asi an Economi cUnion that "T h ec l o ser Yerevan moves  towards Pu t in' s Russ ia , t h e less  free do m  fo r media, NG Os,LGBT. Peo ple wa n t opens ociety. "

Rel ati ons  wit h  T ur key  Özd e mi r o p pos es the a cc es sionof T u r k e y to  th e Eu ropea n Union under  Pr esid e ntErdog an. W henÖz demir  criti cised  P rime Minister R ecep  Tayyip E rdo ğa n o fTurke y  in aspe ech  he del iveredi n C ol o g n ein May 2014, Erdoğ an p er sonallytarget e dÖz d emir dur in g o ne o f his p arty ' sgroup me etings in  t he parl ia ment d ec lar ing  him" a so -calle d Turk"and d e scribed his cr i ticisms as "v e ry u gl y ." U pon  Erdoğan'satta c ks,theT ur kis h  amba ssado ri nB erlin, Hüseyin Avni  K arslıo ğlu,was summonedto the Ger m a n  Foreign  Off i ce and was inform ed ab out German y 's uneas e onthe prim e ministe r ' s remark s.
So onaft e r ,Özdemir toldS p iege lOnlineitwould b e " irr esp ons ib le" for G erman in te ll ig en ceservi c es not t otar ge t T urkey givenits l ocat io na s a  transi t  c o u ntry  f or  Isl ami cState  ofI raq  and th e Levantmil i tant sfr om Euro pe.

Özdemirha s also bee ncri ticalo f  Turkey' s mass arrests and crac k down on  di ssent  fol lowing afai led co upa ttempt  in Ju ly 20 16 . H e was p u t  u nde rpolice pro t e cti on at  t he 2 018 Mun ich Security Confe r enc e after meeti ngTurk e y 's  de l eg a tio ni n h i s  hotel.

Özdemi r condemne dt he  Turkish i n vas io n of no rthernSyria aimed a t ousting  U.S.-bac ke d Sy r i anKurds from  the enc lave of A f rin.A ft er me eti ng wit hTur kishoffici a lsin Mu nich,Öz demirrecei ve d specia l police protection aft er bei ng ca lle d a "terr ori s t"and recei ving  various o the r t hreat s f r om th e Tu r ki shd elega tion . 

Relatio n swit h Sa udi ArabiaÖ z dem ir ca lle d  for t he G erman governmentt o stop givingcont r a cts  to theAm erican consult anc yf i rm McKin se y & Company , whichwa s  accu sed of  gathe ring in f o rm a tion f or t heSaudi Ara bia 's regimeab ou t  its c riti cs .

Arm eniang enoc i d e 

On 12 March2015Ö z demir vis itedth e Armen i an G enocide me morial in Y erevan , Ar menia  and de cl ared h isfo rmal recog n ition ofthe A rmenian  G enoc ide  and c alle d on Tu rkey  t o r ecognizei t  a s  w el l .
 down_from the_Quadriga Award's board of_trustees to_protest_the nonprofit_group's_decision to honor_Prime Minister Vladimir_Putin of Russia. The_groups decision sparked_a_public outcry and the annual prize ceremony was later canceled. After a two-day visit_to_Armenia, Özdemir_tweeted_in_reference to Armenia's recent accession_into the Eurasian Economic Union_that "The_closer Yerevan moves towards Putin's Russia, the less_freedom_for media, NGOs,_LGBT. People want open society."

Relations with Turkey 

Özdemir opposes_the accession of Turkey to the_European Union under_President_Erdogan._When Özdemir criticised Prime_Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan of Turkey_in a speech he delivered in_Cologne in May 2014, Erdoğan personally targeted_Özdemir during one of his party's_group meetings in the parliament_declaring him_"a so-called Turk" and described_his criticisms as_"very ugly."_Upon Erdoğan's attacks,_the Turkish ambassador in Berlin, Hüseyin_Avni Karslıoğlu, was_summoned to the German Foreign Office_and_was informed about_Germany's_unease_on the_prime minister's remarks.

Soon_after,_Özdemir told_Spiegel_Online it would be "irresponsible" for_German_intelligence services not to target Turkey given_its location as a_transit_country for Islamic State_of Iraq and the Levant_militants from Europe.

Özdemir has also been_critical of_Turkey's mass_arrests and crackdown on dissent following a failed coup attempt in_July 2016. He was put under_police protection at the_2018 Munich_Security_Conference after meeting_Turkey's_delegation in_his hotel.

Özdemir condemned the Turkish invasion of_northern Syria_aimed at ousting U.S.-backed Syrian Kurds_from the enclave of_Afrin._After meeting with Turkish officials in_Munich, Özdemir received special police protection_after being called a "terrorist"_and_receiving_various other threats from the_Turkish delegation.

Relations with Saudi Arabia 
Özdemir_called for the_German government to stop giving contracts to_the_American consultancy firm McKinsey & Company,_which_was accused of gathering information for_the_Saudi_Arabia's regime about its critics.

Armenian_genocide 

On 12 March 2015 Özdemir_visited the Armenian Genocide memorial in Yerevan, Armenia and_declared his formal_recognition of the Armenian Genocide_and_called_on Turkey to recognize it as well.