UPDATES WITH REMARKS FROM GERMAN PRESIDENT; ADDS DETAILS; REVISES HEADLINE, LEDE
By Muhammet Tarhan
ISTANBUL (AA) - German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, who earlier arrived in Istanbul for his inaugural visit to Türkiye to celebrate 100 years of diplomatic ties, highlighted the “close bond” between the two countries.
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.
Steinmeier also visited Istanbul's Sirkeci train station, from where thousands of Turkish guest workers embarked on trains to Germany in 1961.
*** “Sirkeci Station symbolizes the close bond between the two countries," he said, noting that many stories began at this train station.
*** “Today, approximately 3 million people of Turkish origin live in our country and contribute to shaping and forming our society. They helped build our country, made our country strong, and became part of the heart of our society," the German president added.
***Steinmeier also noted that some of the guests accompanying him on this trip to Türkiye serve as examples in this regard.
*** “Designed by German architect August Jachmund, the station was the last stop of the Orient Express, connecting East and West,” he described how Germans supported the design and construction of the new capital Ankara in the 1930s and how guest workers from Türkiye also helped establish the economy of young Federal Germany since the 1960s.
*** “In Germany, as we celebrate the 75th anniversary of our Federal Republic in a month, we will do so with the awareness that millions of Turkish-German migrants' stories are part of our history,” he said.
*** Steinmeier also stressed the importance of visiting Türkiye once again before the anniversary of the Federal Constitution.
*** “They are not people with an immigrant background. Germany is a country with an immigrant background. Their stories are part of both Turkish and German history. They are part of what makes us who we are."
*** “Starting our journey from Sirkeci Train Station today is not a coincidence," said Steinmeier, pointing out how the special relations between Türkiye and Germany become particularly apparent in crisis situations, including the solidarity extended following the 2023 twin earthquakes in Türkiye.
***He recalled that aid materials were sent to Türkiye and said he would visit the earthquake-damaged area of Gaziantep on Tuesday to meet with the victims of the disaster and aid workers.
*** “It hasn't been long since I arrived here, but I can already say this: Everyone who comes here as a German is welcomed with open arms. This doesn't just stem from Turkish hospitality; it mainly arises from the close human bonds you can feel in everyday life everywhere."
***He highlighted how the 5 million German tourists who visit Türkiye every year demonstrate the closeness of these bonds.
He engaged in discussions on Turkish-German economic relations with representatives of German companies during a boat trip.
- 100th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Türkiye, Germany
***On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the start of diplomatic relations between the two countries, Steinmeier's visit to Türkiye includes visits to Istanbul, Gaziantep, and Ankara.
He 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 of Gaza massacres
The German president 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."
*Writing by Dilara Hamit and Gizem Nisa Cebi