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Germany's Merz sees Turkey as close partner to EU

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review

Posted on October 30, 2025

1 min read

· Last updated: January 21, 2026

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Germany's Merz sees Turkey as close partner to EU
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ANKARA (Reuters) -German Chancellor Friedrich Merz sees Turkey as a close partner to the European Union and wants to develop bilateral economic relations, including in the transport sector, he said on

Germany's Merz sees Turkey as close partner to EU

ANKARA (Reuters) -German Chancellor Friedrich Merz sees Turkey as a close partner to the European Union and wants to develop bilateral economic relations, including in the transport sector, he said on his first visit to the country.

"I personally, and the German government, see Turkey as a close partner of the European Union. We want to continue smoothing the way to Europe," said Merz at a news conference with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan.

He said the two had spoken about migration and wanted to make further progress on the repatriation of failed asylum seekers.

(Reporting by Andreas Rinke in Ankara and Madeline Chambers in Berlin; Editing by Sarah MarshWriting by Madeline Chambers and Sarah Marsh)

Key Takeaways

  • Germany views Turkey as a close EU partner.
  • Chancellor Merz aims to enhance economic ties with Turkey.
  • Discussions included migration and asylum seeker repatriation.
  • Focus on developing the transport sector.
  • Merz's visit marks a step towards smoother EU relations.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is migration?
Migration is the movement of people from one place to another, often for reasons such as employment, education, or escaping conflict. It can be temporary or permanent.
What is the transport sector?
The transport sector encompasses all modes of transportation, including road, rail, air, and maritime, and is vital for the movement of goods and people.
What is repatriation of asylum seekers?
Repatriation of asylum seekers refers to the process of returning individuals who have sought asylum in a country back to their country of origin, often after their application has been denied.

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