Human Rights Watch urged Merz to condemn Turkey’s suppression of opposition voices and the detention of Istanbul’s mayor, Ekrem İmamoğlu.
During his first official visit to Ankara, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz urged Europe to build a stronger strategic alliance with Turkey to face global challenges.
Turkey has acted as a key mediator in the Ukraine and Gaza conflicts.
Merz spoke beside Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, days after Turkey and the United Kingdom completed a multi-billion-euro deal to buy 20 Eurofighter Typhoon jets.
Germany, part of the aircraft’s manufacturing consortium, recently removed its long-standing block on exports to Turkey.
Cooperation Amid Tensions
Reports suggest Germany supports Turkey’s involvement in the Security Action for Europe (SAFE), a €150 billion defence programme meant to boost European military power.
SAFE allows non-EU members, including Turkey, to take part in defence projects.
Greece opposes Turkey’s role, insisting Ankara must first drop its threat of war over maritime borders.
Merz did not mention SAFE directly but emphasised joint efforts.
“Germany and Turkey should better harness the vast potential of our relations in the coming months and years,” he said.
He added that a new geopolitical era demands deeper European partnerships, especially with Turkey.
Disputes Over Rights and Gaza
Human Rights Watch again urged Merz to denounce Turkey’s actions against opposition figures like İmamoğlu, who has been detained since March on disputed corruption charges.
Turkish prosecutors recently filed additional espionage charges against him.
Merz avoided naming İmamoğlu but criticised Turkey’s democratic shortcomings.
He said, “Some decisions in Turkey still fall short of the standards of rule of law and democracy we hold in Europe.”
Erdoğan defended Turkey’s judiciary, saying, “If anyone violates the law, courts must act accordingly, regardless of their status.”
On Gaza, Merz reaffirmed Germany’s unwavering support for Israel since the Holocaust but maintained the right to criticise its policies.
He noted that Israel acted in self-defence and blamed Hamas for prolonging the war by refusing to release hostages and disarm.
Erdoğan countered by accusing Israel of “using starvation and genocide” as weapons and condemned Germany for ignoring the imbalance between the two sides.
He asked sharply, “Can’t you see this, Germany?”
