Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrived in Berlin on Friday for talks with Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
It is the Turkish leader’s first visit to Germany since 2020. He arrived at a military airport on Friday afternoon for a visit that is expected to last only several hours.
In a joint press conference on Friday evening, Chancellor Scholz emphasized that Israel’s right to self-defense “should not be questioned,” while Erdogan continued his sharp criticism of the ongoing Israeli offensive in Gaza and condemned “the shooting of hospitals.” [and] Killing children.”
Scholz said it was “no secret” that he and the Turkish president had “very different views on the conflict.”
“That’s precisely why our conversations are important, especially in difficult moments we need direct dialogue with each other,” said Scholz.
The Chancellor added that “Israel’s right to exist is irrefutable for Germany.”
“There is no place for anti-Semitism in our country, regardless of whether it is politically motivated or religious, whether it comes from the right or the left, whether it has been growing here for centuries or whether it comes into the country from outside,” he said.
Erdogan added that there was a chance that Germany could be reached if Germany joined Turkey in calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.
Disagreements over the war between Israel and Hamas
The war between Israel and Hamas is a central point of contention between Germany and Turkey.
Erdogan has heavily criticized Israel’s offensive in the Gaza Strip and accused Israel of war crimes.
Israeli authorities said the offensive was aimed at rooting out Hamas in Gaza in response to the Oct. 7 terror attacks.
Fighting in Gaza mars Erdogan’s visit to Germany
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The Turkish president also referred to Hamas fighters as “liberators.” The group is considered a terrorist organization by Israel, Germany, the United States and the EU, and other countries.
Scholz called Erdogan’s allegations “absurd” on Tuesday, adding that Israel is a democracy and “a country that is committed to human rights and international law and acts accordingly.”
Before the meeting with Scholz, Erdogan met with Federal President Frank Walter-Steinmeier before talks with the Chancellor.
A spokesman for President Steinmeier said he highlighted Germany’s position during talks with Erdogan, which highlights “Israel’s right to exist and its right to self-defense.”
What else is expected at the talks?
Scholz said in advance of the meeting that Sweden’s accession to the NATO military alliance would also be discussed in talks with the Turkish president.
Between NATO and Hamas: What is Erdogan’s goal?
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The Turkish government had objected to Sweden’s attempt to join NATO because it granted residency to groups that Ankara classified as terrorists, including Kurdish groups and people allegedly linked to a failed coup attempt in 2016. Erdogan has since dropped the objections, but parliament has not yet ratified a bill authorizing Sweden’s NATO membership.
The topic of migration is also likely to be discussed. The EU sees Turkey as a key ally in efforts to curb arrivals at the bloc’s external borders.
Local elections will take place in Turkey early next year. Erdogan’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) hopes to recapture the capital Ankara and the most populous city Istanbul.
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rmt,sdi/wmr (Portal, dpa)