US EditionGermany's Merz urges deeper European ties with Turkey despite disagreement on Gaza
- On Thursday, Friedrich Merz visited Ankara and called Turkey a close EU partner, stating, `I personally, and the German government, see Turkey as a close partner of the European Union.`
- Against a backdrop of shifting great-power politics, Merz framed his trip as a response to a new phase requiring expanded strategic partnerships across Europe amid reports of German backing for Turkey's participation in the Security Action for Europe initiative.
- Turning to security, Erdogan said, 'In light of the changing security conditions in Europe, we must leave behind problems in the procurement of defense industry products and focus on joint projects,' after Germany approved the sale of 20 Eurofighter Typhoon jets to Turkey.
- Human-Rights tensions quickly emerged as Merz avoided naming jailed Istanbul mayor Ekrem Imamoglu while Erdogan defended the judiciary amid new espionage charges against Imamoglu.
- Amid a fragile October 10 ceasefire, Erdogan urged joint humanitarian steps, including involving Germany's Red Cross and Turkey's Red Crescent, as Gaza's toll rises with over 68,527 killed and 170,395 wounded.
85 Articles
85 Articles
Turkey will host a meeting of foreign ministers from Muslim countries on Monday to discuss the United States' peace plan for the Gaza Strip, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said.
Meanwhile, despite the ceasefire, Israel continues its attacks on Gaza, in which at least five Palestinians have died today.
Turkey is strategically important for the Federal Republic of Germany and the EU, among other things, in terms of armaments and anti-migration. Nevertheless, the war in Gaza was a confrontation during the chancellor's initial visit to Ankara.
Turkey's Erdogan to Merz: does Germany not see Israeli 'genocide' in Gaza?
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan criticised Germany over what he said was its ignorance of Israel's "genocide" and attacks in Gaza, at a joint news conference with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Thursday.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 39% of the sources lean Left
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
