30.10.2025 16:51
President Erdoğan met with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Ankara in front of cameras. Erdoğan stated, "We aim to increase our trade volume with Germany to 60 billion dollars in the near future." Chancellor Merz expressed, "We want to see Turkey in the European Union. I proposed a strategic dialogue to Erdoğan on this matter."
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President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan received German Chancellor Friedrich Merz at the Presidential Complex. After the meeting, President Erdoğan and Chancellor Merz held a joint press conference.
Merz stated, "We want to see Turkey in the EU. However, the Copenhagen criteria must be adhered to. I offered Erdoğan a strategic dialogue on this matter," while Erdoğan responded, "We are not against the Copenhagen criteria, but we also have Ankara criteria. Turkey is not just any Asian or European country."
THE SITUATION OF TURKS IN GERMANY
During the meeting, President Erdoğan addressed the situation of Turks in Germany, saying, "Exactly 64 years ago, our brothers who went to Germany with their suitcases contributed significantly to Germany's development with their population reaching 3.5 million. We confirmed in this meeting that the Turkish community is our common wealth. We emphasized the importance we place on protecting their gains."
Erdoğan also mentioned that they emphasized the fight against foreign hostility that borders on racism during the meeting.
COOPERATION IN DEFENSE AND EUROFIGHTER MESSAGE
President Erdoğan also touched on the defense cooperation between the two countries, stating, "Germany is Turkey's largest trading partner in Europe."
He added, "We evaluated leaving behind the difficulties experienced in the supply of defense industry products. We welcome the positive steps taken by Germany, such as the Eurofighter procurement process."
Chancellor Merz also stated, "Eurofighter fighter jets are important for our common security."
FULL MEMBERSHIP IN THE EU
Regarding full membership in the EU, Erdoğan stated, "If Turkey's determined will is recognized by the union, we can make significant progress in a very short time."
GERMAN CHANCELLOR MERZ: OUR TIES WITH TURKEY ARE DEEP AND UNIQUE
Speaking during his visit to Ankara, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz highlighted the importance of the historical, economic, and social ties between Turkey and Germany.
"People who came as guest workers 60 years ago are now part of our society. There are 80,000 Turkish-origin businesses in Germany, providing employment for 400,000 people. In Turkey, 500 German companies provide job opportunities for 200,000 people. These ties have deepened in a unique way," he said.
Merz, who also celebrated the Republic Day, expressed, "With this first visit, I want to send a message; let us better evaluate the potential our relations offer in the coming years."
TURKEY CANNOT BE LEFT OUT OF THIS PROCESS
Merz emphasized that global politics has entered a new geopolitical process, stating that Turkey is an important actor in this equation:
"As Germans and Europeans, we must develop our strategic partnerships. Turkey cannot be left out of this process, nor should it be."
Merz noted that they aim for closer cooperation with Turkey in security policies within NATO, and they welcomed the sale of Eurofighter jets to Turkey, stating, "These planes will serve our common security."
EMPHASIS ON MIGRATION, UKRAINE, AND GAZA
Merz highlighted the importance of cooperation with Turkey on migration management, saying, "Since May, we have carried out more returns than in the entire year of 2024; we need to make more progress in this regard."
The German Chancellor expressed that the war in Ukraine must come to an end, stating, "Our efforts to bring Russia to the negotiating table will continue." Regarding Gaza, he noted that there is hope for lasting peace, saying, "We hope that Turkey will use its influence to disarm Hamas. The situation in Gaza must improve rapidly, and a governance without Hamas should be established."
“WE WANT TO SEE TURKEY IN THE EU”
At the end of his speech, Merz addressed Turkey's EU process, stating, "As for me and the federal government, we want to see Turkey in the EU. I conveyed our desire for a strategic dialogue at the European level to President Erdoğan. We must continue this process based on the Copenhagen criteria."
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