Human Rights Watch pressed Merz to condemn Turkey’s suppression of opposition voices and the arrest of Istanbul’s mayor, Ekrem İmamoğlu.
Germany Strengthens Strategic Ties with Ankara
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz called for a stronger strategic partnership with Turkey to face global challenges. He made this appeal during his first official visit to Ankara, praising Turkey’s role in mediating conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza. Standing beside President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Merz spoke soon after Turkey and the United Kingdom sealed a multi-billion-euro deal for 20 Eurofighter Typhoon jets. Germany, a key producer of the aircraft, recently withdrew its long-standing objection to exporting them to Turkey.
Reports indicate German support for Turkey’s involvement in the European defence programme known as Security Action for Europe (SAFE), a €150 billion effort to strengthen the continent’s military. The plan allows non-EU countries like Turkey to participate. Greece opposes this, insisting that Ankara first drop its threat of war over maritime disputes. Merz avoided mentioning SAFE directly but urged stronger cooperation. He said Germany and Turkey must better use their partnership’s full potential in the coming years. He added that Europe has entered a new geopolitical era and must expand its strategic alliances, with Turkey central to that goal.
Sharp Differences on Human Rights and Gaza
Tensions emerged at the joint press conference over human rights and Gaza. Human Rights Watch again demanded Merz denounce Turkey’s actions against the opposition and İmamoğlu’s arrest. The opposition leader, seen as Erdoğan’s main rival, has remained in detention since March on corruption charges he denies. Turkish authorities filed new espionage charges this week.
Merz avoided naming İmamoğlu but warned that some Turkish decisions fail to meet European standards for democracy and the rule of law. Erdoğan defended his judiciary, declaring that every official who violates the law must face consequences.
On Gaza, Merz reaffirmed Germany’s enduring support for Israel since its founding after the Holocaust, while stressing that Berlin does not endorse every Israeli government action. He criticised Hamas for prolonging the war by refusing to release hostages and disarm, saying this single act could have ended the conflict. Erdoğan countered by accusing Israel of using starvation and genocide as warfare tools. He argued that Hamas lacks heavy weapons, while Israel holds vast arsenals, and questioned Germany’s silence over that imbalance.
