President Erdoğan: We will increasingly continue our dialogue with Germany on regional issues
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Chancellor of Germany, Angela Merkel, held a joint press conference in Istanbul following their tête-à-tête and the meeting between the delegations.
“WE HAVE DISCUSSED REGIONAL DEVELOPMENTS”
Stating that he reviewed with Chancellor Merkel of Germany the bilateral relations between Turkey and Germany and discussed regional developments, Libya and Syria in particular, President Erdoğan said: “We are of the same opinion that maintaining our deep-rooted friendly relations between our countries is to the benefit of our region as well as of Turkey and Germany.”
Drawing attention to the attacks carried out in recent months by the supporters of the terrorist organization against Turkish citizens living in Germany under the pretext of Operation Peace Spring, President Erdoğan stressed: “I once again condemn these attacks. It is impossible to comprehend how these attacks are ignored, furthermore are presented as a democratic right. We particularly expect Germany to punish those responsible and not tolerate such scenes.”
“IT IS A HUMANITARIAN RESPONSIBILITY FOR EUROPEAN COUNTRIES TO INCREASE THEIR AID TO THE SYRIANS”
Underscoring that Turkey and Germany carry most of the burden of Europe concerning migration, President Erdoğan noted: “It is, above all, a humanitarian responsibility for the European Union and European countries to increase and speed up their aid to the Syrians.”
Thanking Chancellor Merkel of Germany for her support to efforts for a solution in Libya by launching the Berlin Process, President Erdoğan said that Turkey is one of the leading countries that give the most effective and sincerest support to this initiative of Germany’s, and added: “The relative tranquility, ensured in the wake of both our joint call with Mr. Putin for a ceasefire and our intensive diplomatic initiatives, also played a role in organizing the Berlin Conference. The aim of us supporting the legitimate government in Libya is to prevent bloodshed and contribute to the revitalization of the political process. It is not a choice but an obligation under the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2259 to support the Government of National Accord.”
“TURKEY AND GERMANY PRIORITIZE DIALOGUE IN THE RESOLUTION OF PROBLEMS”
Also touching upon the increasing tensions in Iran and Iraq, President Erdoğan, underscoring that Turkey and Germany prioritize dialogue in the resolution of problems and call on the parties to act in common sense, said: “We will increasingly continue our dialogue with Germany on regional issues. I hope the progress we will make on the issues we have addressed today will contribute to both our multifaceted bilateral relations and our accession process to the European Union.”
Answering reporters’ questions following the conference, President Erdoğan, in response to a question about the developments in Idlib, said nearly 400 thousand people are on the move from there towards Turkey’s borders, and that the Turkish Red Crescent (Kızılay) and the Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD) carry out works to build shelters for these people. Stressing that Turkey’s plans and projects for the safe zone are also ready, President Erdoğan pointed out that steps aimed at building permanent living spaces there must be taken. Saying that PYD/YPG terrorist organization has yet to be removed from that region despite the talks held with the U.S. and Russia, President Erdoğan underscored that Turkey continues its fight against terror in the area of Operation Peace Spring.
