Talks between German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan kicked off on Monday.
Scholz arrived in Ankara on Monday and can finish his quick inaugural journey to Turkey as chancellor the identical day, flying again to Berlin on Monday night time.
What did Scholz say?
“President Erdogan and myself are in absolute settlement that the violent navy battle in Ukraine should be condemned and that we wish to see a ceasefire as quickly as potential,” Scholz stated following the talks.
Scholz stated that each Turkey and Germany have supported Ukraine with weapons and thanked Ankara for closing the Bosphorus — the small straight managed by Turkey that acts as a passage between the Mediterranean Sea and the Black Sea — to warships.
Scholz additionally introduced up the “variations” between German and Turkish coverage that generally put bilateral relations beneath pressure, comparable to “rule of legislation, human rights, or the views of German residents who’re both arrested in jail or not allowed to depart properties.”
“I believe we have achieved a little bit of motion there and I hope that we are going to discover a mutually useful resolution to those variations,” the German chancellor stated.
What did Erdogan say?
“We have to speed up diplomatic efforts. Turkey will do its finest to deliver collectively each events,” Erdogan informed the press convention, additionally stating the earlier assembly between the Russian and Ukrainian overseas ministers that was organized by Ankara.
The Turkish president additionally spoke concerning the two nations’ financial ties.
“Germany is a vital companion when it comes to imports and exports,” he stated, including that bilateral commerce between the 2 reached $38 billion (€34.62 billion) in 2020. “We’re decided to make this $50 billion.”
He additionally highlighted the vital function performed by Germany in Turkey’s tourism sector, a task shared with Russia.
What do we all know thus far concerning the go to?
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is prone to dominate the talks between the 2 leaders. Turkey has positioned itself as a mediator within the battle, because it has maintained comparatively pleasant relations with each Kyiv and Moscow.
Scholz and Erdogan are anticipated to provide a joint press convention after the talks.
Final week, the overseas ministers of Ukraine and Russia met in Antalya, the primary such summit because the battle started. Though the talks didn’t result in a lot change, Turkey touted it as a hit that they occurred in any respect.
Ankara’s function within the battle has led to improved relations with a number of nations with whom ties have been tense in recent times, together with Greece, Israel, and the USA.
How are German-Turkish relations for the time being?
Though Germany and Turkey are each members of NATO and have shut financial ties, their relationship has been strained in recent times.
Erdogan has more and more cracked down on home opposition inside Turkey following a coup in 2016, drawing condemnation from Berlin. The federal government’s strikes in opposition to the opposition embody the incarceration of German-Turkish journalist Deniz Yücel.
Germany in current months has additionally referred to as for the discharge of detained activist Osman Kavala. Turkey has refused to let go of the distinguished philantropist, regardless of a European Court docket of Human Rights ruling.
ab, es/wd (AFP, dpa)