Germany: Steinmeier Calls For Reviving Ties With Turkey

Germany’s President Steinmeier calls for reviving ties with Turkey as he meets President Erdoğan.

During a visit to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the German president stated that Germany and Turkey needed each other. Erdoğan used the occasion to criticize the West’s position on the Gaza conflict.

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier called for the revival of German-Turkish relations during a meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in Ankara on Wednesday.

“These are serious times.” And that is precisely why we need each other,” he stated during a joint press conference with Erdoğan. “That is why we should give new importance to German-Turkish relations.”

“We need each other,” Steinmeier said, referring to cooperation between NATO and the G20.

Their Views Of The War In Gaza

Steinmeier made it clear that he and Erdoğan had openly discussed their differing perspectives in the Middle East conflict since the Hamas-led terrorist attacks on Israel last year.

“In my opinion, without October 7, there would be no war in the Middle East,” said the German president. Steinmeier stated that there was some common ground on improving the humanitarian situation in Gaza.

“We want and must improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza. We want and must prevent the war from becoming a regional conflagration. “Turkey also has an important role to play here,” he added.

Germany and Turkey also agree that without prospects for Palestinians, Israel will not be able to achieve peace and long-term security.

“This is another thing that unites us: In the end, this political perspective can only lie in the two-state solution,” Mr. Steinmeier said. Erdoğan accused the West of turning a blind eye to civilians’ suffering in Gaza.

Gaza has been “destroyed,” according to Erdoğan. “Our German friends must see this tragic situation,” he went on to say.

The Turkish president also sharply criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, accusing him of putting the entire Middle East at risk to ensure his political survival.

He stated that Turkey was making efforts to secure the release of the Israeli hostages abducted by Hamas.

The ‘Genetic’ Level Of Racism In Germany

Erdoğan also expressed concern about increasing racism in Germany.

“Our concerns about rising xenophobic, Islamophobic, far-right and racist organizations in Germany, together with Europe, are steadily increasing,” he went on to say.

Erdoğan stated that he is “proud” of the millions of people of Turkish descent in Germany who play important roles in society, the economy, and culture. He also praised the new German dual citizenship law as a significant step toward greater integration.

READ ALSO: Germany Arrests Suspected Members Of Nigerian Dating Mafia