Erdogan calls for European defense cooperation during German talks

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has called for strengthened European defense cooperation and resolved supply challenges through joint projects during talks with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Ankara. The Turkish leader emphasized that evolving security conditions across Europe necessitate moving past previous difficulties in defense industry procurement, highlighting particular appreciation for Berlin's recent positive steps including the Eurofighter aircraft procurement process.

EU Membership and Ankara Criteria

Erdogan expressed strong confidence in Türkiye's European Union membership prospects, stating that significant progress could occur "in a very short time" if the bloc properly recognizes Ankara's determined stance. He introduced the concept of "Ankara Criteria" that guide Türkiye's engagement with Europe and the world, asserting that "Türkiye is not an ordinary European or Asian country" but a democracy effectively implementing democratic processes across multiple continents. The president noted comfort with these approaches and maintained that the Copenhagen Criteria don't represent a negative process for Türkiye.

Bilateral Relations and Regional Security

The meeting between the two NATO allies addressed extensive bilateral ties and global issues, with Erdogan underscoring the strategic importance of Türkiye-EU relations amid regional developments. The talks coincided with the 64th anniversary of the Türkiye-Germany Labor Agreement, with Erdogan noting the 3.5 million-strong Turkish community in Germany represents "our shared value and richness." He emphasized the importance of combating "rising racism, xenophobia, and Islamophobia in Europe" while describing Turkish-German cooperation as "indispensable for the security of Europe and our neighboring regions."

Syria Policy and Economic Cooperation

Discussions also covered developments in Syria, with Erdogan highlighting President Ahmad al-Sharaa's leadership and significant progress toward lasting peace and stability over the past eleven months. He reiterated that preserving Syria's territorial integrity and ensuring citizen welfare remain top priorities, expressing belief that progress will accelerate as sanctions are lifted. On economic relations, Erdogan described ties with Germany as "outstanding," noting Berlin is Ankara's largest European trading partner with bilateral trade reaching $50 billion and targeted to expand to $60 billion in the near term.