German Chancellor Friedrich Merz reaffirmed his support for Turkey’s long-delayed European Union membership bid during his first official visit to Ankara, despite ongoing tensions over human rights and the Gaza conflict. Speaking alongside Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Merz described Turkey as a “close partner of the European Union” and said Berlin remains committed to “smoothing the way to Europe.”
While expressing strong support for deeper cooperation, Merz emphasized that progress depends on Turkey’s adherence to EU democratic standards. He cited ongoing concerns over judicial independence and political freedoms, noting that some recent decisions “do not yet meet the standards of the Copenhagen criteria.” His remarks came amid renewed controversy surrounding the imprisonment of Istanbul’s mayor, Ekrem İmamoğlu, who faces fresh charges of espionage.
The meeting also covered regional and defense issues, including Turkey’s decision to acquire 20 Eurofighter jets, a move Merz welcomed as strengthening NATO’s collective security. Both leaders stressed the need to expand joint defense projects and improve cooperation on migration and asylum policy.
Tensions arose over the Gaza conflict, with Erdoğan accusing Germany of overlooking Israel’s actions, while Merz reaffirmed Berlin’s unwavering support for Israel. Despite differences, both sides agreed on the importance of maintaining dialogue and cooperation across political, security, and humanitarian issues.