Merkel, Erdogan Discuss Migrants, East Mediterranean
Despite many differences on oil drilling and immigrants, Germany vows continuity in its relations with Turkey.
-
German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on October 16, 2021 (AFP)
German Chancellor Angela Merkel announced that she and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan discussed using diplomacy and politics in the east Mediterranean and Cyprus. The chancellor stressed the necessity for the European Union to support Turkey on the refugee issue.
This was on Merkel's last visit to Erdogan; during said visit, the Chancellor vowed continuity in Germany's relations with Turkey, both on cooperation and criticism of Ankara.
The two leaders discussed the situation in Syria and Libya. Previously, relations between the two saw tensions over issues ranging from Turkey's crackdown on human rights to its military campaigns in Syria and Libya.
"[Turkey] received many refugees from Syria and Afghanistan," Erdogan said, stressing that Ankara cannot follow the Greek model of rejecting refugees.
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu had previously announced in August that his country could not "bear the burden" of a new wave of immigrants from Afghanistan.
Turkey's Anadolu Agency had previously quoted President Erdogan for denying that 1.5 million irregular Afghan immigrants are present in Turkey, denying the claims of opposition parties. "These are all pure lies,' he said.
As for the east Mediterranean, Turkey had disclosed its intention to drill more oil wells in the region despite European sanctions and warnings.
EU foreign policy chief had denounced last year Turkey's oil drilling operations in the eastern Mediterranean, saying they raise concerns about the future of Turkish-EU relations.
