Turkish president hopes to focus on joint defense production ventures with Germany

By Esra Tekin and Dilara Hamit

ISTANBUL/ANKARA (AA) – Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday expressed hope Ankara and Berlin would not encounter obstacles and focus on discussing joint production projects, particularly in the defense sector.

"We hope that Türkiye and Germany will begin to discuss joint production ventures rather than barriers, particularly in defense," Erdogan told a joint press conference with his German counterpart Frank-Walter Steinmeier, who is on an official visit, in Ankara.

"(With Germany) We desire to completely remove the restrictions we face in the defense industry," he added.

He said Türkiye aims to expand bilateral trade volume with Germany, which has surpassed $50B, to $60B in a balanced manner.

Ankara expects "further support and solidarity from German authorities in the fight against terrorism," the president said.

The Turkish leader also addressed the ongoing conflict in Gaza, where Israel has killed more than 34,000 Palestinians, and said Ankara will continue to intensify its efforts to achieve a cease-fire in the enclave, and ensure that uninterrupted and adequate humanitarian aid reaches the Palestinian people.

“The efforts of Israeli administration to hide its atrocities and massacres committed in Gaza should not be allowed," Erdogan added.

He said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, just to prolong his political career, is jeopardizing security of not only his own citizens but the entire region.

Türkiye is no longer sustaining intensive trade relations with Israel, and that chapter is closed, he stressed.

Saying that Israel killed women, children in Gaza, Erdogan urged Germany to see the "horrific scene."