2 hours agoForeign media: German Chancellor Merz seeks to bring Turkey to Europe
Periskopi(7 months ago)
(7 months ago)Turkey's president is very wanted at the moment. Much of the diplomatic activity around Recep Tayyip Erdogan has focused on his key role as mediator in the Gaza war. However, according to foreign media, Turkey also remains a key security player in Europe and Ukraine, though an ambitious player, [...]
However, according to foreign media, Turkey also remains a key player for security in Europe and Ukraine, though an ambitious player, who likes to play with both sides.
Erdogan's narrowest integration into European security efforts has thus been one of the goals of German Chancellor Friedrich Merz while he visits Turkey today.
Merz said at a press conference that Ankara is an important actor in all foreign policy and security issues.
The potential of this relationship would have to be used more productively”, said Merz, writes A2 CNN.
I personally, and the German government see Turkey as a close partner of the European Union. We want to continue to facilitate the road to Europe”, Merz told reporters.
Turkey, a NATO member, has closed the Bosphorus for most warships and has hosted peace talks, but also remains one of the main countries buying Russian oil and is allegedly helping Moscow bypass sanctions.
A closer Turkish-European co-operation on security issues is certainly in the interest of Turkey's efforts to re-arme, however, by opening the door for more “quid pro quo”.
In that spirit, Berlin recently opened the way for Turkey to buy Euroflyer Typhoon fighter planes after years of hesitation. The deal was signed this week by Erdogan and Keir Starmer, who represented the United Kingdom as a co-productioner.
Erdogan signalled today an interest in closer co-operation in these directions, stressing the high common potential in the defence industry.
“in light of changing security conditions in Europe, should leave behind problems in procurement of defence industry products and focus on joint projects”, Erdogan said. /Periscopi/
