German lawmaker in hot water over talks with Russian representatives
A Social Democrat lawmaker in Germany has been forced to defend himself against criticism for taking a trip to Azerbaijan for talks with Russian representatives, which came to light after a media investigation.
"One of the principles of good foreign policy is that, even and especially in difficult times of increasing tensions, conflicts and wars, dialogue contacts in all parts of the world and also with Russia should be maintained," Ralf Stegner wrote in a joint statement with three former members of the parliament on Friday.
German media had reported on the trip to Baku which Stegner and others took on April 14.
Stegner told dpa that he was surprised at the polemical reaction, which had "no grounds."
"It's important to have contact for there to be any dialogue at all," he said.
Stegner stressed that he did not go as a government representative, but a freely elected member of parliament. It was "based on private initiative and organized and financed informally," he said.
No sensitive security information or even secret information was exchanged, he said.
The deputy chairman of the parliament's intelligence oversight panel, conservative Roderich Kiesewetter, told reporters previously that Stegner "would have to face some questions" on the visit.
A senior politician from the liberal Free Democrats, Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, demanded that Stegner be should not be allowed to remain a member of the oversight panel.
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