Turkish President Erdoğan Meets with German President Steinmeier in Ankara

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan welcomed German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier to the Presidential Complex in Ankara, Turkey on April 24, 2024 for an official visit. The two leaders participated in an official ceremony, where the national anthems of Turkey and Germany were played, and President Steinmeier inspected the guard of honor.

After the introduction of the delegations, Erdoğan and Steinmeier posed for the press and then headed inside for their bilateral meeting and a meeting between the delegations. During the joint news conference, Erdoğan urged for the removal of restrictions on the Turkish defense industry, which Germany had imposed after Turkey's counterterrorism operations in Syria. He also voiced concerns over the activities of terrorist groups in Europe and expected Germany to do more in the fight against terrorism.

Regarding the Palestine-Israel conflict, Erdoğan disagreed with Steinmeier's stance, condemning Israel's atrocities in Gaza and stating that Turkey would continue its efforts to achieve a ceasefire and ensure humanitarian aid. Erdoğan accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of jeopardizing the security of the region to prolong his political career.

Steinmeier acknowledged the tough economic times both countries were facing and emphasized the importance of reinforcing their ties. He said that Israel's security can only be ensured under a two-state solution that provides a political perspective for Palestinians. Steinmeier also addressed the need to secure the release of more than 130 Israeli hostages taken by the Palestinian group Hamas.

The two leaders discussed the aim to increase the volume of economic relations between the two countries from $50 billion to $60 billion and remove restrictions in the defense industry. Erdoğan expressed hope that Turkey and Germany would focus on discussing joint production projects, particularly in the defense sector.

Why this matters: The meeting between Erdoğan and Steinmeier highlights the complex diplomatic relations between Turkey and Germany, as well as their differing stances on regional conflicts such as the Israel-Palestine issue. The discussions on economic cooperation and the defense industry underscore the significance of the bilateral relationship for both countries.

Steinmeier's visit to Turkey was part of

Key Takeaways

• Erdogan and Steinmeier met in Ankara for an official visit and bilateral talks.
• Erdogan urged Germany to lift restrictions on the Turkish defense industry.
• Erdogan and Steinmeier disagreed on Israel's actions in Gaza and the two-state solution.
• The leaders discussed increasing economic ties from $50 billion to $60 billion.
• Steinmeier's visit was part of efforts to revive Turkey-Germany relations.