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Istanbul, Turkey – During the farewell visit, the outgoing German Chancellor Angela Merkel stated that Germany will continue to maintain working relations with Turkey, emphasize cooperation on immigration and other issues, and defend Berlin’s diplomatic efforts to safeguard human rights.
Merkel told reporters at a joint press conference with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the steps of Dolmabahce Palace in Istanbul: “Turkey and Germany The relationship, whether positive or negative, will continue.” “Everyone knows that the security and independence of our two countries depend on each other.”
Erdogan said that Turkey will “forever remember Merkel’s goodwill and contributions to maintaining relations with Turkey.”
Erdogan said: “From preventing irregular migration in Syria to sending humanitarian aid to northern Syria, Merkel has not given up on many issues and taken responsibility.”
Merkel’s party lost the election in Germany by a narrow margin last month. The new government will consist of a coalition that may be more center-left and may criticize Ankara more severely than before.
Merkel, who led Germany for 16 years, and Erdogan, who led Turkey for 19 years, may be the most experienced political leaders in the region. Sometimes, despite domestic pressure due to controversial issues such as immigration and human rights, Merkel will still promote relations with Turkey.
On Saturday, the two briefly acknowledged the different government styles adopted by the two countries.
When asked about Merkel’s political acumen, Erdogan said: “16 years is not a short time. I have been in power for more than 19 years.”
Erdogan said: “We have talked and cooperated with many world leaders, and the Prime Minister has been very successful in managing Germany.” “We will follow the development of our relationship, but there is no alliance. [in Germany] They could have been in a better place. Cooperating with the coalition government is not easy. “
In 2018, Turkey began to shift to a presidential government, giving more power to Erdogan’s office, which he said was to eliminate the unstable parliamentary system, which is too susceptible to the needs of party politics and coalitions.
Markle smiled at Erdogan’s suggestion to make such a change in Germany, saying that she was focused on maintaining good relations with Turkey.
Important diaspora
Ankara and Berlin have a particularly close relationship, partly because of the millions of Turkish immigrants in Germany. This year marks the 60th anniversary of the signing of a landmark labor agreement that brought Turkish workers to Germany.
“There are nearly 4 million people of Turkish descent in Germany,” Merkel said. “They are doctors, scientists, academicians, and their parents are the first immigrants.”
Turkish political parties, including Erdogan’s Justice and Development Party, regularly campaign among Turkish diasporas in Germany.
But this relationship also means that developments in Turkey, especially those related to Erdogan, are closely watched in Germany. Turkey’s human rights issues-from freedom of the press to the rights of ethnic Kurds to the state The secular nature of-has been discussed in Germany. Maybe more than any other European country.
Over the years, German TV comedians have faced investigations for “insulting” Erdogan, and German journalists have faced criminal cases in Turkey because of their work.
Turkey has long aspired to become a full member of the European Union, but due to its domestic human rights record, Turkey is currently facing condemnation and may suspend its membership in the Council of Europe.
When asked about these human rights issues, Merkel responded with a diplomatic torch commemorating her tenure, saying that there is still work to be done.
“16 years is not enough to solve these problems, but we have accomplished a lot,” Merkel said. “We have to talk about these problems and try to find solutions. Sometimes we have very different ideas, but in essence, I can say that when we talk, we get the best results.”
Erdogan and Merkel meet near the Bosphorus in Istanbul [Guido Bergmann/BPA/Handout via Reuters]‘Continue cooperation on immigration’
However, in the past few years, the dialogue between the two countries has mainly focused on refugees and immigration issues. Millions of refugees and immigrants have travelled to the West through Turkey to settle in the European Union.
Turkey has repeatedly stated that it hopes European governments will take more measures to stop the flow of migrants. In 2016, Merkel promoted an agreement between the European Union and Turkey that will provide 6 billion euros (approximately 7 billion U.S. dollars) in exchange for Turkey to accept refugees and immigrants.
Over the years, Erdogan has complained that the funds did not reach Turkey, and sometimes threatened to completely remove the barriers to immigration to the European Union.
In recent weeks, Turkey’s worries about immigration have once again become the focus of concern for a new wave of Afghans fleeing the country’s instability.
Merkel said that despite the tension, she hopes that the EU will continue to provide support to Turkey and that more funds promised will reach Ankara.
“Turkey has signed many projects on immigration issues, and we have been cooperating to combat human trafficking,” she said. “Together with the United Nations, we have and will work to prevent further humanitarian crises in Afghanistan.”
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