-Germany Urges Deeper Ties with Turkey Amid Gaza Dispute
- * Germany and turkey Strengthen Ties: German chancellor Olaf Merz visited Turkey, signaling a warming of relations.
HereS a summary of the key points from the provided text:
* Germany and turkey Strengthen Ties: German chancellor Olaf Merz visited Turkey, signaling a warming of relations. This includes a potential $1 billion deal for the sale of 20 Eurofighter Typhoon jets, with Germany recently lifting objections too the sale.
* Turkey’s Role in European Defence: Germany is reportedly backing turkey’s participation in the “Security action for Europe” (SAFE) program, a €150 billion initiative to boost European military capabilities.
* Greek Opposition: Greece strongly opposes Turkey’s inclusion in SAFE, citing ongoing disputes over sea boundaries and Turkey’s perceived threats of war.
* Strategic Partnership: Merz emphasized the importance of a “good and deepened partnership” with Turkey, arguing it’s crucial in a new geopolitical landscape dominated by “politics of great powers.”
* Human Rights Concerns: Despite the improved relations, divisions remain. Human Rights Watch urged Merz to address Turkey’s crackdown on opposition figures, specifically the case of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, who faces espionage charges. Merz acknowledged issues but avoided direct criticism.
* Gaza Disagreement: Divisions also surfaced during the news conference regarding the situation in Gaza.