UPDATE - Türkiye eyes cooperation with Germany on defense procurements: President Erdogan

UPDATES WITH MORE REMARKS FROM TURKISH PRESIDENT ERDOGAN, ADDS DETAILS

By Esra Tekin and Serdar Dincel

ISTANBUL (AA) — Türkiye wants to strengthen cooperation with Germany on the procurement of defense industry products, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Saturday.

"We wish to improve our cooperation by leaving behind some of the problems previously experienced in the context of the supply of defense industry products," the Turkish leader said in a joint news conference with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Istanbul.

He also stated that Ankara and Berlin were committed to combating terrorist groups, particularly PKK, Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO), which threaten public safety in Germany as well. FETO is the group behind a 2016 defeated coup attempt in Türkiye.

Pointing out a previous visit in April by German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Erdogan said: "We have intensive relations with our NATO ally Germany in every field possible between two great states. The recent high-level visits between our countries are a clear manifestation of this situation.

"The locomotive of these relations is our human ties and common interests."

Noting that more than 3.5 million Turkish people live in Germany and more than 6 million German tourists visit Türkiye every year, the Turkish president expressed hope for the further improvement of these figures.

"We built our talks today on this rich agenda. We discussed relations between our countries comprehensively in all dimensions. Our bilateral trade has reached $50 billion. Our goal is to reach $60 billion. We have increased our efforts to realize this goal," added Erdogan.

- Israel's attacks on Palestine, Lebanon

On Israeli attacks in the region, Erdogan said the country's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has an "expansionist mindset," clearly intending to extend the conflict beyond its current limits.

He pointed out that Israel’s actions in Gaza have extended to Lebanon, adding that the deaths of Hamas and Hezbollah leaders were celebrated by both Tel Aviv, and the West.

"Unfortunately, the human tragedy in the region continues. As I have stated many times before, it is imperative that we, as the international community, do our utmost to establish a permanent cease-fire, deliver humanitarian aid and put the necessary pressure on Israel."

Erdogan underlined that as long as Israeli attacks continue in Palestine and Lebanon, peace will not be possible in the region.

"We expect all political actors with a conscience and prudence to take the initiative and say 'stop' to Israel's aggressive policies. As Türkiye, we will maintain the conscientious stance we have demonstrated since day one," said Erdogan.

Flouting a UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate cease-fire, Israel has continued its brutal offensive on the Gaza Strip since an attack by the Palestinian group Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023.

The Israeli onslaught has displaced almost the entire population of the territory amid an ongoing blockade that has led to severe shortages of food, clean water, and medicine.

Mediation efforts led by the US, Egypt, and Qatar to reach a Gaza cease-fire and prisoner swap agreement between Israel and Hamas have failed over Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s refusal to halt the war.

Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its actions in Gaza.

- 'Islamophobic, xenophobic far-right movements on rise in Europe'

The Turkish community in Germany was also on the talks' agenda, Erdogan pointing pointing to the rising "Islamophobic and xenophobic far-right movements" in Europe.

"These movements, which have gained enough strength to become power-sharing partners in many countries, are particularly concerning for our brothers and sisters living abroad."

- Türkiye-EU ties

President Erdogan said he and Scholz discussed Türkiye's expectations in its relations with the EU, considering Germany's key role in the 27-member bloc.

Erdogan said he highlighted that progress on modernizing the EU-Türkiye Customs Union and on visa liberalization were in everyone's interest.

- Migration

Erdogan also touched on regional movements of people due to wars and conflicts. "If there are people coming to our country from Lebanon, we kept our doors open to them, as well."

He pointed especially to the presence of Turkmens in Lebanon, adding: "We would take these Turkmen compatriots in."

Turkish Navy ships have evacuated hundreds of people from war-hit Lebanon, where Israel has escalated its deadly countrywide strikes and a subsequent ground operation against what they say are Hezbollah targets, killing more than 1,500 people and injuring over 4,500 others.