“We aim to increase our trade volume with Germany to 60 billion dollars”
Holding a joint press conference with Chancellor Merz of Germany, President Erdoğan said: “Germany is Türkiye’s biggest trade partner in Europe. We aim to increase our trade volume, which has reached 50 billion dollars, to 60 billion dollars in the near future.”
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Chancellor Friedrich Merz of Germany held a joint press conference following their tête-à-tête and the meeting between the delegations at the Presidential Complex.
Voicing his pleasure over hosting Chancellor Merz of Germany and his delegation in Türkiye, President Erdoğan stated that they have addressed the bilateral relations of the two countries and international matters at today’s talks, and said: “Also, we have expressed our expectations from them regarding our full membership to the European Union, which we see as a strategic goal. We can make a significant progress in a short span of time if the determined will Türkiye displays on this issue gets the reaction it deserves within the Union. I believe that when developments in our region and the world are taken into account, the strategic importance of the Türkiye-Union relations will be better understood.”
“GERMANY IS TÜRKİYE’S BIGGEST TRADE PARTNER IN EUROPE”
President Erdoğan continued as follows: “During our meeting with my treasured friend, we have reaffirmed that the Turkish community living in Germany is our common value and richness. We have underscored the importance we attach to the preservation of the gains our brothers and sisters in Germany have achieved in the past years. In this sense, I stressed the importance we attach to the fight against Islamophobia and xenophobia, which can never be prevented and which amounts to racism at times, in Europe. We have always supported the integration of our brothers and sisters abroad into the countries they live in by preserving their cultures, identities and ancient values.”
Drawing attention to the positive course of the unique economic and trade relations between Türkiye and Germany, President Erdoğan went on to say: “Germany is Türkiye’s biggest trade partner in Europe. We aim to increase our trade volume, which has reached 50 billion dollars, to 60 billion dollars in the near future. We have reviewed with Mr. Chancellor the issue of defense cooperation that will elevate both our trade and joint investments to an upper level. In light of the changing security conditions in Europe, we should leave behind the challenges suffered in the past in the procurement of defense industry products and focus on joint projects.”
“TÜRKİYE MADE INTENSIVE EFFORTS FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF CEASEFIRE”
Further stating that he has also shared with Chancellor Merz of Germany Türkiye’s expectations regarding anti-terror fight, President Erdoğan noted that they have also exchanged views on regional and global matters.
Underscoring that they as Türkiye have brought up the genocide in Gaza to the international agenda since the day one and made intensive efforts for the establishment of ceasefire and the delivery of humanitarian aid to the region, President Erdoğan said: “We have conveyed our views as to what can be done in order for such an atrocity not to occur again and on the two-state solution, which is the key to the lasting peace in the region. We have stated that first of all everyone should assume responsibility in the process of restructuring, like the uninterrupted delivery of aid to the region.”
“THE PROSPERITY AND THE WELL-BEING OF THE SYRIAN PEOPLE ARE PRIMARY GOALS FOR US”
Pointing out that they have also addressed the developments in Syria with Chancellor Merz of Germany, President Erdoğan continued as follows: “The prosperity and the well-being of each and every individual of the Syrian people by preserving the country’s territorial integrity and unity are primary goals for us. At this point we attach great importance to the implementation of the March 10 agreement and carefully follow the messages given in this sense. We are aware of the importance Germany attaches to working in coordination with us regarding Syria. We have also exchanged ideas on the Ukraine-Russia war. We think that it is important to maintain the diplomatic efforts for the solution of the war in a just and permanent manner.”
Answering reporters’ questions following his remarks, President Erdoğan, in response to a question regarding Türkiye’s membership to the European Union, drew attention to the Copenhagen criteria and said: “If they approach Türkiye within the Copenhagen criteria, then we have Ankara criteria. We will open to Europe and the world with Ankara criteria, because Türkiye is not an ordinary European or Asian country.”
Responding to a question regarding the investigations against the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, President Erdoğan said: “No matter what post they hold, no one can trample on law in a state of law. If you trample on law in a state of law, judicial authorities must do what is necessary regardless of your post. If they do not, then no can prevent corruption, theft or other misbehaviors. Indeed, this is how the process in Istanbul has worked out, and the judiciary is duly managing this process and doing what is necessary.”
Stressing that he cannot agree with German Chancellor Merz’s previous remarks that support Israel, President Erdoğan said that nearly 60 thousand people, including children, women and the elderly, have died in the Israeli attacks.
“Hamas does not have bombs. Hamas does not have nuclear weapons,” President Erdoğan noted, and added: “However Israel has all these weapons. For instance, Israel, by using these weapons, hit especially Gaza once again last night with these bombs. Don’t you as Germany see all this? Don’t you as Germany follow all this?”
Drawing attention to the importance of the delivery of food to Gaza, President Erdoğan said: “The Turkish Red Crescent cannot deliver food aid there. They are also faced with such a situation. The Red Cross is under a constant threat. We have tried to deliver over 100 thousand tons of food aid there, but it is not enough. It should continue.”
Stressing that it is a human duty to stop the genocide in Gaza, President Erdoğan stated that Türkiye has always taken the steps regarding Hamas thus far, and noted: “Our Minister of Foreign Affairs, our Minister of Defense and our intelligence work to prevent any problem at this point. We stand ready to join forces. Our relevant ministers have been instructed and they continue to work with their counterparts with this instruction, and will continue to do so. Just as we want the war between Russia and Ukraine to end, we favor the termination of the war between Israel and Gaza. I believe that Türkiye and Germany are two important countries which can join forces to that end.”
