Human Rights Watch urged Merz to condemn Turkey’s repression of the opposition and the arrest of Istanbul’s mayor, Ekrem İmamoğlu. The group demanded that he address these violations during his visit.
Strengthening Strategic Ties with Turkey
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz urged Europe to deepen strategic ties with Turkey to face global challenges. During his first official trip to Ankara, he praised Turkey’s mediation in the Ukraine and Gaza conflicts. He spoke beside Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, days after Turkey and the UK sealed a multibillion-euro deal for 20 Eurofighter Typhoon jets. Germany, a member of the aircraft’s manufacturing consortium, recently dropped its objection to selling them to Turkey.
Reports revealed German support for Turkey’s inclusion in the €150 billion Security Action for Europe (SAFE) initiative, aimed at boosting European defence capabilities. The program permits non-EU states like Turkey to join defence projects. Greece opposed Turkey’s participation, insisting Ankara abandon its war threats over maritime disputes with Athens.
Merz avoided discussing SAFE but emphasised stronger cooperation. “Germany and Turkey must better use the enormous potential of our relations in the coming months and years,” he said. “We are entering a new geopolitical phase shaped by great-power politics. Therefore, Europeans must expand strategic partnerships, and a deeper partnership with Turkey is essential.”
Disputes on Human Rights and Gaza
Tensions surfaced over human rights and the Gaza war during the joint press conference. Human Rights Watch again pressed Merz to challenge Turkey’s crackdown and İmamoğlu’s imprisonment. The opposition leader, considered Erdoğan’s main rival, has been detained since March on corruption charges he denies. Authorities recently added espionage accusations against him.
Merz avoided naming İmamoğlu but noted, “Turkey has made decisions that do not yet meet European standards of democracy and the rule of law.” Erdoğan defended the judiciary, saying, “Whoever violates the law faces necessary judicial action in a state governed by law.”
Addressing Gaza, Merz reaffirmed Germany’s commitment to Israel since its founding after the Holocaust but stated, “This does not mean we accept every Israeli government decision uncritically.” He condemned Hamas for prolonging the conflict, saying, “Israel exercised its right to self-defence, and the war would have ended if Hamas had released hostages and surrendered.”
Erdoğan accused Israel of committing “starvation and genocide” and argued that Hamas lacks heavy weapons while Israel possesses them. “As Germany, can’t you see this?” he asked, criticising Berlin’s stance on the conflict.
