KAHRAMANMARAS/GAZIANTEP/NEVSEHIR
German Chancellor Angela Merkel visited Turkey's southeastern Kahramanmaras province then headed to central Anatolian province of Nevsehir on Sunday.
Merkel pays a two-day visit to Turkey as the guest of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Firstly, Merkel headed to southern Kahramanmaras city where she visited German soldiers deployed for Patriot air defense systems and came together with Turkey's Defense Minister Ismet Yilmaz who welcomed the German chancellor at the Gazi Barracks.
Merkel and Yilmaz headed to the area where Patriots were installed and were informed by the Commander of the German military unit for Patriot systems, Marcus Ellermann, about the system.
Later on, Merkel proceeded from Kahramanmaras to Nevsehir.
Turkish Culture and Tourism Minister Omer Celik welcomed Merkel at the Nevsehir Cappadocia Airport on Sunday evening.
On Monday morning, Merkel is expected to tour Goreme National Park, and proceed to Turkish capital Ankara at noon.
Merkel will visit Anitkabir, Ataturk's Mausoleum, and will be received by President Abdullah Gul.
She will also attend Turkish-German Economy Forum.
Merkel is expected to return to Germany on Monday night.
Merkel tours Cappadocia
NEVSEHIR
German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Monday began touring Cappadocia, famous for its chimney rocks, underground cities and churches carved into rocks.
Merkel left her hotel early in the morning and toured Goreme National Park where she was welcomed with a hot air balloon carrying a banner that said, "Welcome to Turkey" and threw roses at Merkel's car.
Turkish Culture and Tourism Minister Omer Celik, Governor of Nevsehir Abdurrahman Savas and MPs from Nevsehir accompanied Merkel during her visit.
Merkel also visited the Dark Church and examined the frescos of Jesus. "I really liked here, I've always wanted to come. Cappadocia is a great place."
Mayor of Cappadocia Nuri Cingil stated that Cappadocia belonged to the world and said that they would be pleased to host Merkel again.
German Chancellor Merkel in Ankara
ANKARA
German Chancellor Angela Merkel visited the mausoleum of the founder of modern Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, in Ankara, the Turkish capital, on Monday.
Merkel laid a wreath at Ataturk's Mausoleum and observed a minute of silence.
Merkel later signed Anitkabir Special Registry.
Merkel later left the Anitkabir to meet with President Abdullah Gul at the Cankaya Presidential Palace. Gul will host luncheon in Merkel's honor. Later on the day, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan will welcome Merkel with formal ceremony at the HQ of Prime Ministry. Following their meeting, both leaders will appear in a joint press conference.
Merkel visited Turkish PM Erdogan in Ankara
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday welcomed German Chancellor Angela Merkel with a formal ceremony in Ankara.
The ceremony began with the band playing the national anthem of both countries outside the headquarters of the Prime Ministry.
Erdogan and Merkel will hold a joint press conference following tete-a-tete and inter-delegation meetings.
