President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said Thursday that the strong and multilayered cooperation between Türkiye and Germany remains “indispensable for the security of Europe and neighboring regions”, following his meeting in Ankara with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

Speaking at a joint press conference after the meeting, Erdoğan described Turkish-German ties as “built on strong foundations and deep connections”, stressing that both nations play crucial roles as NATO allies and economic partners.

Erdoğan welcomed Merz on his first official visit to Türkiye as chancellor, noting that their talks focused on “enhancing cooperation across political, economic, defense, and security fields.”

“As two close NATO allies, we reviewed our bilateral relations and regional developments based on our shared interests,” Erdoğan said. “We also reiterated our expectation for Türkiye’s full EU membership — a goal we continue to see as a strategic priority.”

He emphasized that Türkiye’s commitment to EU accession deserves a fair response from the bloc, adding: “If the EU provides the response Türkiye deserves, we can make significant progress in a short time.”

Marking the 64th anniversary of the labor force agreement between West Germany and Türkiye, Erdoğan highlighted the contributions of the 3.5 million-strong Turkish community in Germany.

“Those who once arrived in Germany with suitcases have become an integral part of its development,” he said. “The Turkish community is our shared wealth, and protecting their achievements remains one of our top priorities.”

Erdoğan also condemned the rise of xenophobia and Islamophobia in Europe, stressing that Türkiye will “continue to support its citizens abroad in preserving their identity, culture, and values while integrating into the countries they live in.”

The Turkish president noted that Türkiye-Germany trade relations remain strong, with a trade volume of $50 billion, adding that both sides aim to raise it to $60 billion soon.

He said both governments discussed ways to deepen cooperation in the defense industry, particularly amid Europe’s shifting security landscape. Erdoğan welcomed Germany’s “positive steps” on defense collaboration, including progress on the Eurofighter aircraft supply process.

“With Türkiye’s dynamic defense industry and Germany’s technological capacity, there are extensive opportunities for win-win cooperation,” Erdoğan said.

Turning to regional developments, Erdoğan said he and Merz discussed progress in Syria, emphasizing Türkiye’s support for peace and territorial integrity under the new leadership in Damascus.

He also underlined the importance of coordinated action between Türkiye and Germany on Syria and called for the lifting of sanctions that hinder reconstruction efforts.

On the Russia-Ukraine war, Erdoğan reiterated Türkiye’s call for a “fair and lasting diplomatic solution.”

Regarding Gaza, the president reaffirmed Türkiye’s leadership in calling for an end to Israeli atrocities: “From the very first day, we brought the genocide in Gaza to the world’s agenda. We worked tirelessly to secure a ceasefire and deliver humanitarian aid. We must ensure such atrocities never happen again — the two-state solution is the only path to lasting peace.”

Responding to a question about Türkiye’s EU membership process, Erdoğan said Türkiye adheres to its own “Ankara Criteria” alongside the EU’s Copenhagen Criteria.

“Türkiye is not an ordinary European or Asian country,” he said. “It is a democratic nation that successfully manages this process and stands as a bridge between continents.”

Commenting on the suspension of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, Erdoğan said: “In a state governed by the rule of law, no one is above the law. When violations occur, the judiciary must act accordingly.”

He added that Türkiye’s judicial institutions were carrying out their responsibilities as required by law and that public confidence in the system remains strong.

The meeting between Erdoğan and Merz marks a new phase in Turkish-German relations, with both sides emphasizing shared strategic goals, regional stability, and the strengthening of long-term cooperation across multiple sectors. (ILKHA)