Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Angela Merkel
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Sunday expressed hope that his recent state visit to Germany will improve bilateral relations.
"I believe our state visit to Germany will strengthen Turkish-German friendship in every aspect", Erdoğan said in a Twitter post.
Aiming to improve political and economic relations with Berlin, Erdoğan paid a three-day high-profile state visit to Germany on Sept. 27-29.
Relations between Ankara and Berlin suffered several setbacks in past years, but both sides have taken steps in recent months towards improving ties.
Turkey sees no difference between Daesh and PKK terrorist groups, the country’s president said on Saturday in the German city of Cologne."We consider identical the Daesh savagery, which killed civilians in Berlin marketplace, and the PKK murderers, who martyred 11-month-old Bedirhan and his mother two months ago," Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said at the inauguration ceremony of Cologne Central Mosque.Erdoğan also called for a common stance against racism.He said some people try to link all Muslims, by labeling them "Islamist" or "Jihadist," with the terror groups that harmed and killed mostly the Muslims.He said the youth are tried to be pulled into the trap of terrorism by groups such as Daesh, PKK and Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO), and racist groups, he also said, ignore the rights of Muslims."Will not allow a handful of PKK and FETO sympathizer incompetents to disturb our people and harm Turkish-German friendship," Erdoğan added.FETO and its U.S.-based leader Fetullah Gulen orchestrated the defeated coup of July 15, 2016, which left 251 people martyred and nearly 2,200 injured.In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU -- has been responsible for the deaths of 40,000 people, including women and children.-'Extremely fruitful and successful' visitErdoğan described his trip to Germany an “extremely fruitful and successful visit in a critical period”, adding that it also strengthened the Turkish-German friendship.The president said the two countries need to focus on common interests and put clash of ideas aside.Following his official meetings in Berlin on Saturday, Turkish President Erdoğan had arrived the federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia, which has a large Turkish immigrant population.Germany, a country of over 81 million people, has the second-largest Muslim population in Western Europe after France.Among the country’s nearly 4.7 million Muslims, three million are of Turkish origin. Many of them are second or third-generations of Turkish families who migrated to Germany in the 1960s, and are well integrated in the country.
Erdoğan: No difference between Daesh, PKK terrorists
"We are leaving painful terms in the recent past with Germany behind," Erdoğan said.
He noted that Turkey lifted the state of emergency following the June 24 presidential and parliamentary elections in the country.
Turkey declared a state of emergency for the first time on July 20, 2016 following a defeated coup attempt by the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETÖ) which left 251 people martyred and nearly 2,200 injured. It was since extended by the government.
Erdoğan said Turkey’s new presidential system has paved the way for progress in the country. He said reforms within the scope of the country's EU membership process will continue and Turkey will fulfill the remaining six criteria for visa liberalization in the shortest time.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan arrived in the western German city of Cologne on Saturday after completing his official talks in Berlin.The president and first lady Emine Erdoğan were welcomed by Armin Laschet, the state premier of North Rhine-Westphalia, and other senior officials at Cologne Bonn Airport.Erdoğan is scheduled to meet with representatives of the Turkish community later in the day, and is expected to attend the inauguration ceremony of Cologne's Central Mosque.The president has been in Germany since Thursday for a high-profile three-day state visit.He is accompanied by key aides, including Treasury and Finance Minister Berat Albayrak, Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, Defense Minister Hulusi Akar, Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu, Justice Minister Abdulhamit Gül, and Technology and Industry Minister Mustafa Varank.Turkey's President Erdoğan meets Merkel in BerlinTurkey's first lady visits 300-year-old German hospitalErdoğan receives directors of top German firms
Erdoğan arrives in Cologne, Germany
"In this regard, we care about Germany's support to Turkey", he said.
Noted that Turkey and Germany enjoy strong economic and trade ties, Erdoğan said his country wants to further strengthen economic ties.
"We want our German friends to continue reposing trust in Turkey, Turkish economy and our country's future," Erdoğan said.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan met with German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Saturday at a working breakfast to discuss bilateral and international issues.Erdoğan was accompanied by Treasury and Finance Minister Berat Albayrak, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, and Technology and Industry Minister Mustafa Varank.It was Erdogan and Merkel's second meeting during the president’s three-day high-profile state visit to Germany.Erdoğan receives directors of top German firmsOn Friday, Erdogan and Merkel headed a larger meeting between Turkish and German ministers and senior officials.At a joint press conference afterwards, Merkel vowed to enhance cooperation between Germany and Turkey in the economy and energy and security despite political differences on a number of issues.Merkel said their talks on Saturday would focus on bilateral relations and regional issues, including the situation in Syria.Following his official meetings in Berlin on Saturday, Erdogan is scheduled to proceed to the federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia, which has a large Turkish immigrant population.In Cologne, Erdogan is expected to attend the inauguration ceremony of Cologne Central Mosque, run by Turkish-Islamic Union for Religious Affairs.
Turkey's President Erdoğan meets Merkel in Berlin