Human Rights Watch urged Friedrich Merz to denounce Turkey’s crackdown on opposition figures, including Istanbul’s mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu.
Merz urged Europe to build a stronger strategic alliance with Turkey to confront global challenges.
During his first official visit to Ankara, he praised Turkey’s key role in mediating conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza.
Defence Cooperation and Strategic Goals
Standing beside Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Merz spoke shortly after Turkey and the UK sealed a multi-billion-euro deal for 20 Eurofighter Typhoon jets.
Germany, part of the manufacturing consortium, had recently lifted its long-standing veto on their export to Turkey.
Reports indicated that Berlin supported Ankara’s potential involvement in the European defence programme called Security Action for Europe (SAFE), worth €150 billion.
SAFE aims to strengthen Europe’s military power and allows non-EU countries like Turkey to participate.
Greece opposed Turkey’s inclusion, demanding Ankara renounce its threat of war over sea border disputes between the two NATO allies.
Merz avoided mentioning SAFE but emphasised the value of cooperation.
He said Germany and Turkey must fully harness their relationship’s potential in the coming years.
He argued that Europe faces a new geopolitical era dominated by great-power competition.
According to him, Germany and Europe must deepen strategic partnerships, and Turkey remains an essential partner.
Clashes Over Rights and Gaza
During their press conference, disagreements emerged on human rights and Gaza.
Human Rights Watch again pressed Merz to condemn Turkey’s suppression of opposition voices and İmamoğlu’s detention.
Authorities have held İmamoğlu since March on corruption charges he denies and recently filed espionage charges against him.
Merz avoided direct references to İmamoğlu but said Turkey’s actions fall short of European democratic standards.
Erdoğan defended Turkey’s judiciary, saying that all citizens must face justice when they violate the law.
On Gaza, Merz reaffirmed Germany’s commitment to Israel’s security since the Holocaust.
He added that this support does not prevent Germany from criticising Israeli policies.
Merz condemned Hamas for prolonging the war, insisting that releasing hostages and surrendering weapons could have ended it swiftly.
Erdoğan accused Israel of committing “starvation and genocide” and claimed Israel uses advanced weapons while Hamas does not.
He criticised Germany for allegedly ignoring Israel’s military dominance and asked, “As Germany, can’t you see this?”
