Human Rights Watch urged Merz to condemn Turkey’s repression of opposition leaders, including Istanbul’s mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz called for a stronger strategic partnership between Europe and Turkey during his first official visit to Ankara. He praised Turkey’s vital mediating role in the Ukraine and Gaza conflicts.
Merz spoke beside President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, days after Turkey and the United Kingdom sealed a multi-billion-euro agreement to sell 20 Eurofighter Typhoon jets. Germany, part of the consortium that builds the aircraft, recently ended its resistance to exporting them to Turkey.
Reports indicated that Germany also supported Turkey’s involvement in the €150 billion Security Action for Europe (SAFE) defence programme, which strengthens Europe’s military capabilities. SAFE allows non-EU countries, including Turkey, to join defence projects. Greece opposed Turkey’s inclusion, demanding that Ankara first abandon its war threats related to sea border disputes between the two NATO allies.
Merz avoided referring directly to SAFE but emphasized cooperation. He said Germany and Turkey must use their partnership’s full potential in the coming years. He argued that Europe has entered a new geopolitical era of great-power rivalry and must expand strategic alliances. He insisted that a deep partnership with Turkey remains essential.
Human Rights and Democracy Divide Leaders
During their joint news conference, differences emerged over human rights and Gaza. Human Rights Watch had asked Merz to confront Turkey’s suppression of opposition voices, including İmamoğlu’s detention.
Authorities have held the opposition mayor since March on corruption charges, which he denies. This week, prosecutors added espionage accusations.
Merz refrained from naming İmamoğlu but criticized Turkey’s democratic shortcomings. He said some decisions in Turkey still fail to meet European standards of law and democracy. Erdoğan defended Turkey’s courts, stating that every official must face justice if they violate the law.
Gaza Conflict Highlights Ongoing Tensions
Merz reaffirmed Germany’s unwavering support for Israel since its post-Holocaust founding but noted that support does not mean blind acceptance of Israeli policies. He repeated his recent criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza, arguing that Hamas could have ended the war by freeing hostages and disarming.
Erdoğan condemned Israel’s campaign in Gaza, accusing it of committing genocide and using starvation as a weapon. He said Hamas lacks heavy or nuclear weapons, while Israel wields them, and accused Germany of ignoring that imbalance. “As Germany, can’t you see this?” he asked.
