"We aim to increase the volume of our trade with Germany to $60 billion"
"We aim to increase the volume of our trade with Germany to $60 billion"
Speaking at a joint press conference with President Steinmeier of the Federal Republic of Germany, President Erdogan said: "We have intensive relations with our NATO ally Germany in all areas, from security to economics, from culture to science. We are aiming at a balanced increase in the volume of bilateral trade, which has reached $50 billion, to the level of $60 billion."
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and President of the Federal Republic of Germany Frank-Walter Steinmeier held a joint press conference at the Presidential Complex after a one-on-one meeting and meetings between delegations.
Expressing satisfaction to receive German President Steinmeier and his delegation in Ankara, President Erdogan said that this visit was valuable because it was Steinmeier's first visit to Turkey as president and it was timed to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the Friendship Treaty between Turkey and Germany.
Expressing confidence that the Turkish-German friendship, which has always been strengthened by human ties, will continue to strengthen, President Erdogan said: "I am also glad to see that my dear friend Steinmeier agrees with us in improving our relations. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Germany and the German people once again for their solidarity with our people during the earthquake on February 6th."
"THE MOST EXCEPTIONAL COMMON DENOMINATOR AND PILLAR OF OUR BILATERAL RELATIONS WITH GERMANY ARE OUR STRONG, HUMAN TIES"
Noting that they were touched by the visit of German President Steinmeier to Gaziantep and the primary school built with German participation and the container city of Nurdagi, President Erdogan continued: "At the meetings we held today, we had the opportunity to discuss the multifaceted relations between our countries on a bilateral basis. We have intensive relations with our NATO ally Germany in all areas: from security to economics, from culture to science. We are aiming at a balanced increase in the volume of bilateral trade, which has reached $ 50 billion, to the level of $ 60 billion. In this regard, I attach special importance to increasing mutual investments. We also want to develop our cooperation in the field of defense industry in accordance with our bilateral relations and the spirit of alliance. I want to completely remove from the agenda the limitation that we face in the military-industrial complex.
We hope that from now on Turkey and Germany will talk about joint production projects, and not about obstacles, especially in the field of defense. Our cooperation in the field of tourism is also developing day by day. In 2023, we received more than 6 million tourists from Germany in our country. I think we will increase this figure even more. The most exceptional common denominator and pillar of our bilateral relations with Germany are our strong, human ties. The number of people we sent from Sirkeci Station 63 years ago has reached 3.5 million people. Within 3 years, the Turkish community left emigration and began to play an important role in the social, economic, cultural and academic life of Germany."
Noting that representatives of the delegation of German President Steinmeier are an example of this, President Erdogan said: "We are witnessing important achievements of our citizens in all fields, from culture to art, from politics to science and trade. We are proud of all our citizens who break down the usual stereotypes, break down prejudices, overcome obstacles in front of them one by one and act as a human bridge between Turkey and Germany."
Noting that issues related to the Turkish community in Germany were discussed during the meetings, President Erdogan said that they attach great importance and encourage the integration of the Turkish community on the basis of equal participation. Stressing that they consider the new principle of German citizenship, which makes dual citizenship possible, as a valuable step taken in this context, President Erdogan said: "However, our concern about the growth of xenophobic, Islamophobic, far-right and racist organizations in Germany and Europe is growing. 31 years after the Solingen disaster, we unfortunately lost four of our brothers and sisters, two of whom were children, as a result of a similar attack. I share our expectations that the monstrous incident that occurred on March 25 will be fully clarified and the perpetrators will be punished."
"WE EXPRESSED HOPE FOR GREATER SOLIDARITY FROM THE GERMAN AUTHORITIES IN THE FIGHT AGAINST TERRORISM"
Noting that they also touched upon the fight against terrorist organizations that violate the peace of Turks and attack representative offices, especially the PKK/PYD and FETO terrorist organizations, President Erdogan said: "We need more effective cooperation in the fight against these organizations that harm our allied right. We expressed hope for great support and solidarity from the German authorities in the fight against terrorism."
Stating that relations between Turkey and the EU are also on the agenda, President Erdogan said: "We discussed the steps that need to be taken, especially the Customs Union and the liberalization of the visa regime. We also exchanged views with Mr. President on regional and global processes. I took this opportunity to repeat our call for an end to the unprecedented oppression that has been taking place in Gaza for 200 days. Netanyahu is endangering the security of our entire region, including his own citizens, just to prolong his political life. The Israeli Government's attempts to divert the crimes against humanity and the massacres they commit in Gaza from the agenda cannot be tolerated.
Everyone knows that as long as Israel's attacks continue, threats to both regional and global peace will increase. The escalation of tensions between Iran and Israel last week is the latest and most striking example of this. We all know perfectly well that the suffering of innocent people, doomed to death, hunger and poverty, will not be forgotten even after generations. We, Turkey, have taken a resolute, conscientious and courageous position on this issue from day one. God willing, we will continue to step up our efforts to ensure a ceasefire and uninterrupted and sufficient humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian people."
Recalling that the 2024 European Football Championship will be held in Germany in June, President Erdogan said: "Our national team will also participate in this tournament. I wish success and convenience to all the national teams that will take part in the tournament, and to the teams that will participate in the organization."
"WE NO LONGER MAINTAIN INTENSIVE TRADE RELATIONS WITH ISRAEL"
"You often raise your voice against Israel, accusing Netanyahu of using Nazi methods, but at the same time maintaining intensive trade relations," one of the press representatives said. How would you explain this?", President Erdogan said, "We no longer maintain intensive trade relations. This job is done. This was recently stated by my Foreign Minister. But I want you to know this; unfortunately, the death toll from Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has reached 45,000 people. There is no question of putting this figure aside. The number of wounded reached 75,000, and we took some of these wounded to our country in serious condition. Their treatment continues here. Children, women, old people... Unfortunately, the situation here is difficult. Our German friends should see this point of view. The Gaza Strip and Palestine are completely destroyed, everywhere is destroyed. In such a situation. Moreover, the weapons, ammunition, vehicles and equipment of Israel and Gaza are not comparable. They need to be evaluated by vision. Besides, whose side is the whole West on its side? He is on the side of Israel. Does Gaza have such an opportunity in the face of brutal Israeli attacks? No. Despite all this, we are currently making efforts and fighting for a hostage exchange. We hope that this exchange will be successful."
