Human Rights Watch urged Merz to denounce Turkey’s repression of opposition leaders, including Istanbul’s mayor, Ekrem İmamoğlu.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz called on Europe to strengthen its strategic alliance with Turkey during his first visit to Ankara.
He praised Turkey’s key diplomatic efforts in the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza.
Standing beside Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Merz made his remarks just after Turkey and the United Kingdom completed a major deal for 20 Eurofighter Typhoon jets.
Germany, which helps build the jets, had recently withdrawn its objection to selling them to Turkey.
Defence Cooperation and Regional Tensions
Merz’s trip followed reports that Germany supports Turkey’s entry into the Security Action for Europe (SAFE), a €150 billion defence programme aimed at boosting Europe’s military capacity.
The plan allows non-EU nations, such as Turkey, to join joint defence projects.
Greece opposed Turkey’s inclusion, insisting that Ankara must first abandon its threat of war tied to maritime disputes between the two NATO allies.
Merz did not refer directly to SAFE but emphasised cooperation.
“Germany and Turkey should fully harness the great potential of our partnership in the coming years,” he stated.
He added that Europe now faces a new geopolitical era driven by global power rivalries.
Merz insisted that Germany and Europe must deepen strategic partnerships and that Turkey remains essential to that goal.
Human Rights and Gaza Create Friction
Tensions surfaced when journalists asked about human rights and Gaza.
Human Rights Watch had called on Merz to address Turkey’s treatment of the opposition, including İmamoğlu’s detention.
İmamoğlu, a leading rival to Erdoğan, has remained in custody since March on corruption charges he rejects.
Authorities filed new espionage charges against him this week.
Merz avoided naming İmamoğlu but criticised Turkey’s record on democracy and the rule of law.
Erdoğan defended Turkey’s judiciary, declaring that courts must act when anyone violates the law.
On Gaza, Merz reaffirmed Germany’s historic support for Israel but stressed that Berlin does not accept all Israeli policies uncritically.
He said Israel acted in self-defence and blamed Hamas for prolonging the war by refusing to free hostages and disarm.
Erdoğan accused Israel of committing “genocide” and “starvation warfare,” arguing that Hamas lacks the weapons Israel holds.
He questioned Germany’s silence on the imbalance, asking, “As Germany, can’t you see this?”
