German president visits Türkiye to mark 100 years of diplomatic relations

By Muhammet Tarhan

ISTANBUL (AA) - German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier landed in Istanbul on Monday for his inaugural visit to Türkiye to celebrate 100 years of diplomatic ties.

The German head of state, who will also visit Gaziantep and Ankara, was welcomed at the Istanbul Airport by Governor Davut Gul, German Ambassador Jurgen Schulz, and Türkiye's envoy to Berlin Ahmet Basar Sen, among other officials.

President Steinmeier also visited Istanbul's Sirkeci train station, from where thousands of Turkish guest workers embarked on trains to Germany in 1961.

He engaged in discussions on Turkish-German economic relations with representatives of German companies during a boat trip.

President Steinmeier also plans to meet representatives from business, science, arts, literature, sports circles, and civil society organizations.

On the second day of his trip, Steinmeier will visit a shelter for the Feb. 6, 2023 earthquake victims and a school supported by Germany in Gaziantep. He may also participate in the April 23 children's day celebrations.

President Steinmeier is expected to meet Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara on Wednesday. He plans to visit Ankara University and lay a wreath at Anitkabir, the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founding father of Türkiye.

- Protest against Germany's support to Gaza massacres

Steinmeier faced protests during his visit over Berlin's support for Israel in its ongoing offensive in the Gaza Strip.

Steinmeier, accompanied by Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, was met with chants from a group protesting Germany's stance during his visit to the Turkish metropolis' Sirkeci station.

They chanted: "Murderer Germany, get out of Türkiye" and "Murderer Germany, guilty of genocide."