Human Rights Watch urged Merz to denounce Turkey’s suppression of opposition and the arrest of Istanbul’s mayor, Ekrem İmamoğlu.
During his first official trip to Ankara, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz called for a stronger strategic alliance with Turkey to confront global challenges. He praised Turkey’s crucial mediation in the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza.
Standing beside Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Merz spoke just after Turkey and the United Kingdom sealed a multi-billion-euro deal for 20 Eurofighter Typhoon jets. Germany, part of the aircraft’s manufacturing consortium, had recently lifted its ban on exports to Turkey.
Germany Backs Turkey’s Role in European Defence
Merz’s visit coincided with reports that Germany supports Turkey’s inclusion in the European defence initiative Security Action for Europe (SAFE), a €150 billion plan to strengthen the continent’s military capacity. The programme allows non-EU nations, including Turkey, to join joint defence efforts. Greece opposes Turkey’s participation, insisting Ankara must first drop its threat of war over maritime border disputes.
Merz avoided naming SAFE but emphasised the need for cooperation. He said Germany and Turkey should use their relationship’s potential more effectively in the coming years. Merz added that Europe must widen its strategic partnerships and deepen cooperation with Turkey in this new era of great-power politics.
Tensions Over Rights and Gaza Erupt
Disagreements surfaced at the joint press conference over human rights and the Gaza conflict. Human Rights Watch pressed Merz to address Turkey’s clampdown on opposition figures, including İmamoğlu, who faces corruption and espionage charges that he denies. Merz avoided mentioning him directly but noted that Turkey’s recent decisions still fall short of European democratic and legal standards. Erdoğan defended his judiciary, asserting that authorities must act against anyone who violates the law.
On Gaza, Merz reaffirmed Germany’s unwavering support for Israel since its founding after the Holocaust but stated that support does not mean approving every Israeli government decision. He criticised Hamas for prolonging the war by refusing to release hostages and surrender its weapons. Erdoğan countered by accusing Israel of using starvation and genocide as warfare tools and denounced Germany for ignoring the unequal balance of power between Israel and Hamas.
