President Erdoğan: We attach importance to working in close cooperation with Germany on regional matters
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Chancellor Olaf Scholz of Germany held a joint press conference at the Presidential Complex following their tête-à-tête and the meeting between the delegations.
“WE WILL CONTINUE OUR EFFORTS FOR A LASTING CEASEFIRE”
Stating that recent developments, especially regarding Ukraine and Russia, were discussed during the talks, President Erdoğan said: “We as two NATO allies have reaffirmed our shared views and concerns. We have agreed that diplomatic efforts for a resolution should be sped up while taking necessary measures for the security of Europe.”
Underscoring that Türkiye had contributed to the progress made to bring together the parties and establish dialogue, President Erdoğan noted: “As a result of our efforts, the Russian and Ukrainian Foreign Ministers held a meeting in Antalya with the participation of our Minister of Foreign Affairs. Organizing such a meeting as the war was going on was in itself an important diplomatic achievement. We will persistently continue our efforts in order for a lasting ceasefire to be reached.”
“WE ARE DETERMINED TO ELEVATE OUR BILATERAL TRADE VOLUME TO $50 BILLION”
Noting that the bilateral relations between Türkiye and Germany were also on the agenda of their meetings, President Erdoğan voiced his belief that the current high-level consultation mechanisms with Germany should be revived, and added: “As two G20 countries, further advancing our economic partnership in the new global order will be to our mutual benefit. Germany is Türkiye’s number one partner in exports and number two in imports. Our bilateral trade volume, which had been some 38 billion dollars in 2020, surpassed 41 billion dollars in 2021. We are determined to elevate this figure to 50 billion dollars in a short span of time.”
President Erdoğan further stressed: “We attach importance to working in close cooperation with Germany on regional matters. The recent developments in our region have proven that Türkiye has a key role in many areas, security and energy in particular. Inarguably and undoubtedly, Germany is one of the leading countries within the European Union.”
“TÜRKİYE HAS DONE WHAT HAS TO BE DONE WITHIN UN RULES”
Answering reporters’ questions following his remarks, President Erdoğan, in response to a question whether Türkiye would continue to procure weapons from Russia or join the West with the sanctions, said that although Türkiye had thus far procured weapon or weapons from Russia, time would tell what would happen from then on, and added: “We have to maintain our friendship with both Mr. Zelensky and Mr. Putin. As regards the sanctions, let me make it clear that we have so far done what has to be done within the United Nations’ rules and unlike NATO member countries, we have maintained our support to Ukraine despite Russia. In the similar vein, we have sent over 50 trucks of humanitarian aid to Ukraine, and are continuing to do so.”
