AKIPRESS.COM - Amid rising tensions between Turkey and the European Union, Germany's foreign minister is visiting Ankara.

Berlin has been at the forefront in raising concerns over Turkey's ongoing crackdown on political opponents and the media following July’s failed coup, though Ankara appears ready for a showdown, Voice of America reported.

After meeting Tuesday, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier admitted talks with his Turkish counterpart, Mevlut Cavusoglu, had not been easy.

Steinmeier reaffirmed his country’s support for Ankara’s bid to join the European Union, however, saying it is up to Turkey to decide its progress.

Some EU members are calling for membership talks to be frozen because of growing concerns over Turkey's crackdown in the wake of the failed coup.

Since then, more than 120,000 people have been dismissed from their jobs and 33,000 arrested, including more than 100 journalists.