Türkiye to continue cooperation with Germany on regional issues: President Erdogan

ISTANBUL/ANKARA

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday said Türkiye will continue to cooperate with Germany on regional issues, including Syria, Gaza, and the war in Ukraine.

A lasting peace and prosperity in Syria, where a new administration has taken charge after the fall of the Bashar-al Assad regime in December, is a "desire of all of us," Erdogan told a joint news conference with his visiting German counterpart Frank-Walter Steinmeier in the capital Ankara.

"In this regard, I believe Germany will provide the necessary support to Türkiye's efforts for the reconstruction of Syria."

Erdogan also highlighted that Türkiye has been advocating an end with "just peace" to the war in Ukraine for a long time, adding that they discussed this among other regional issues in their meetings.

He said maintaining the ceasefire in Gaza, which took hold on Jan. 19, requires collective responsibility, and the international community must persist in efforts toward a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Speaking of Islamophobia, Erdogan said: "We observe increase in acts and discourses of xenophobia, racism and Islamophobia in Europe," which also worries the Turkish community.

For his part, Steinmeier said Germany has a common interest with Türkiye to establish lasting peace in the region, noting that Ankara is an important actor in the process.

Commenting on US President Donald Trump's widely condemned proposals to expel Palestinians from Gaza to countries such as Jordan and Egypt, Steinmeier said the suggestions caused great concern and are unacceptable under international law.

He said a consensus between Türkiye and Germany on the ceasefire in Gaza is a first step.

“From this first step, a more comprehensive political process involving all actors should emerge," Steinmeier added.

The German president also expressed his country's support for the two-state solution in the Middle East.

Türkiye, Germany bilateral ties

Erdogan said recent high-level visits and meetings on international platforms are manifestation of close dialogue between the two countries, arguing that strong political, economic, humanitarian and cultural ties give the opportunity to further develop relations.

Emphasizing that the economic and commercial relations between Germany and Türkiye are quite strong, Erdogan underlined that they continue to increase trade volume and encourage mutual investments.

Stressing that the fight against terrorism, irregular migration, visa, defense industry and issues concerning the Turkish community in Germany were also on their agenda, the Turkish president expressed best wishes for the forthcoming snap elections in Germany on Feb. 23.

Erdogan said given Germany's leading role in the EU, they also discussed Türkiye-EU relations, adding: "We put emphasis on the steps that need to be taken, especially the Customs Union and visa liberalization.

Syria

Emphasizing that Syria was also part of their talks, Steinmeier said the importance of an inclusive process in the country and coordination with all international actors is important.

Noting that for Syria to be stable, all ethnic groups must participate in the process, he said this could be a basis for the return of Syrians who have fled to Türkiye and other countries.

140 million euros for construction of earthquake-resistant schools in earthquake zones

Speaking of the Feb. 6, 2023 earthquakes in Türkiye, Steinmeier said Germany and its citizens share the pain.

Underlining that Germany will continue to aid in this regard, he said: "Now the first tranche of a loan of 140 million euros to be given for reconstruction has been decided and in this context, the construction of earthquake-resistant schools will take place.”