05.11.2026 07:30
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul stated that the necessary units have been assigned to facilitate visa procedures for businesspeople traveling from Turkey to Germany, and said the practice would be implemented shortly.
Wadephul, answering lawmakers' questions in the Bundestag, reported that Germany is working on new steps to improve visa processes with Turkey.
When reminded that Hendrik Wüst, Minister-President of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), announced during his visit to Turkey in September that visa facilitation would be provided for Turkish businesspeople, Wadephul stated that preparations on the matter are continuing and said, "We are currently implementing this very quickly. All units have been assigned to this matter."
Pointing out that speeding up Germany's visa procedures would not be possible through administrative arrangements alone, Wadephul said during budget debates in the Bundestag that more staff needed to be allocated to the Foreign Ministry.
In addition, Wadephul, conveying that they are also considering other measures in Turkey, noted that they could also consider opening a branch where applications could be submitted and some consular procedures could be carried out.
WAITING TIMES FOR FAMILY REUNIFICATION AND VISIT VISAS
In response to a question noting that people who want to come to Germany from Turkey for reasons such as family visits and family reunification sometimes wait more than a year for a visa, Wadephul argued that the vast majority of visa procedures are concluded without extraordinary waiting times.
Stating that the Foreign Ministry handles the vast majority of visa procedures, Wadephul used the phrase, "Most visas are processed without extraordinary waiting times."
Acknowledging that Turkey is among the countries where waiting times continue, Wadephul conveyed that they are resorting to methods such as digitalization, regionalization, and flexible distribution of staff to solve this problem.
Drawing attention to the fact that current staff capacity is insufficient to conclude visa applications more quickly, the German minister said, "But we are reaching our limits, dear colleagues. I must say clearly that if procedures are expected to be accelerated, the Foreign Ministry and especially the BfAA are needed."
HE SENT A MESSAGE OF SUPPORT TO ISRAEL
In response to questions about developments in the Middle East and Iran's policies, Wadephul emphasized that Germany's support for Israel's security and existence continues.
Stating that there is no ambiguity in Germany's position regarding Israel's right to defend itself, Wadephul called on all political parties and groups in the Bundestag to take a clear stance on this issue.
Arguing that Iran's state ideology aims to eliminate Israel as a state and kill Jews, Wadephul said that Israel is defending itself against this threat.
Reiterating that Germany supports Israel's security and existence, the German minister stated that their political stance on this matter is clear.
"RUSSIA IS DOING EVERYTHING WRONG"
Referring to his meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov at the G20 summit in the United States, Wadephul stated that one of the reasons for this meeting was to convey Europe's position directly.
After his meeting with Lavrov, Wadephul stated that the failure of diplomatic efforts to yield results cannot be shown as the responsibility of Germany or Europe, and said that initiatives will remain fruitless as long as Russia is not ready to talk.
The German minister said, "Considering the fact that I am the only European foreign minister who has spoken with Sergey Lavrov so far, I find it quite absurd that accusations are now being directed at me here for displaying a relaxed attitude."
Wadephul noted that joint photos with Lavrov and other participants were taken, but that he did not prefer to pose for a separate family photo with his Russian counterpart, and stated that this carried a political message.
Wadephul said, "There is no point in posing for a family photo with the Russian Foreign Minister and creating the impression that everything is fine. Nothing is fine; Russia is doing everything wrong."
HE CALLED FOR THE RESUMPTION OF GRAIN SHIPMENTS FROM THE BLACK SEA
Wadephul said that in his meeting with Lavrov, he also raised the issue of making grain shipments through the Black Sea possible again.
Stating that he asked Russia to take urgent action on this matter, Wadephul drew attention to the issue's importance for global food security.
HE WANTS ELECTIONS TO BE HELD IN PALESTINE
In response to questions about the elections that have not been held in Palestine for a long time, Wadephul stated that Germany supports Palestinians holding free, equal, and democratic elections.
Making assessments regarding Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas's postponement of the elections again, Wadephul conveyed that Germany, together with European Union (EU) countries, has expressed its criticism of this decision.
However, also acknowledging that there are serious practical obstacles before the elections, Wadephul emphasized that the humanitarian situation in Gaza must be improved and that Israel must provide the necessary financial resources to the Palestinians.
Wadephul also conveyed their position on Israel's release of the tax revenues necessary for the Palestinian Authority to organize elections, and said, "These resources belong to the Palestinians. We are still working on a solution."