German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's Visit to Türkiye (2025)

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s visit to Türkiye was an official diplomatic engagement carried out in Ankara on 29–30 October 2025. The visit was conducted at the invitation of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. The main agenda of the talks centered on the overall trajectory of Turkish-German relations Türkiye’s accession process to the European Union and cooperation in defense industry and foreign policy. This visit marked Merz’s first official engagement with Türkiye since assuming the office of Chancellor.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan welcomes German Chancellor FriedrichMerzin an official ceremony at the Presidential Complex 30 October 2025 – (Anadolu Agency)

Announcement and Preparation of the Visit

The official visit by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to Türkiye was announced to the public on 28 October 2025 by the President’s Communications Director Burhanettin Duran. In a statement posted on his social media account Duran confirmed that Merz would visit Türkiye on 29–30 October 2025 at the invitation of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. The statement noted that discussions on 30 October at the Presidential Complex would cover all aspects of Turkish-German relations.

Burhanettin Duran stated that the talks would address Türkiye’s accession process to the European Union global and regional security issues and steps to strengthen political and economic cooperation between the two countries.

Statements from the German Government Spokesperson’s Office

On 27 October 2025 prior to the visit German Government Deputy Spokesperson Steffen Meyer made statements at a press conference in Berlin. Meyer emphasized that the visit was “very important” from Germany’s perspective and underscored Türkiye’s role as both a NATO ally and a key dialogue partner on international issues.

Meyer noted that this was Merz’s first official visit to Türkiye since assuming office in May. He recalled previous meetings between Merz and President Erdoğan on international platforms and described the Ankara meeting as a continuation of those dialogues. He also indicated that Russia’s aggression against Ukraine would be among the key agenda items of the talks as it had been in all of the Chancellor’s recent foreign engagements.

Friedrich Merz’s Arrival in Türkiye

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrived in Ankara on 29 October. Upon landing at Ankara Esenboğa Airport he was received by the German Ambassador to Türkiye Sibylle Katharina Sorg. In a statement posted on the social media platform X following his arrival Merz emphasized the importance of bilateral relations. He stated: “We have special and distinct relations with Türkiye: not only in foreign and security policy but also in migration energy and trade. I want to further expand our close cooperation. That is why I am in Ankara and will meet with Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.” Merz described Turkish-German relations as having a “special and multifaceted character” and stated that the primary objective of the visit was to broaden cooperation.

Official Welcoming Ceremony

On 30 October 2025 President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan officially welcomed German Chancellor Friedrich Merz at the Presidential Complex. Merz’s official vehicle was met by mounted cavalry units along the avenue leading to the Presidential Complex and escorted to the protocol gate. President Erdoğan received the Chancellor at the main entrance of the complex. After both leaders took their positions on the ceremonial ground the national anthems of Türkiye and Germany were played by a military band.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan welcomes German Chancellor FriedrichMerzin an official ceremony at the Presidential Complex 30 October 2025 – (Anadolu Agency)

During the ceremony 16 flags representing Turkish states and military personnel were present and a 21-gun salute was fired. German Chancellor Merz greeted the Presidential Guard Regiment with the words “Hello soldier.” Attendees of the welcoming ceremony included Hasan Doğan Director of the President’s Private Office Burhanettin Duran President’s Communications Director Akif Çağatay Kılıç President’s Advisor on Foreign Policy and Security Haluk Görgün President of the Presidency of Defense Industries Vasip Şahin Governor of Ankara and Zafer Sırakaya Deputy Chairman of the AK Party responsible for Foreign Relations.

President Erdoğan was accompanied during the talks by Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and President’s Advisor on Foreign Policy and Security Akif Çağatay Kılıç. Following the ceremony Erdoğan and Merz introduced their respective delegations and shook hands in front of the Turkish and German flags on the staircase posing for the press. After the official ceremony President Erdoğan and Chancellor Merz held a private one-on-one meeting at the Presidential Complex. This meeting formed the first session of the diplomatic program of the visit.

Bilateral and Delegation-Level Talks

On 30 October 2025 President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz held a one-on-one meeting at the Presidential Complex following the official welcoming ceremony. The bilateral meeting focused on the current state of relations between the two countries after which delegation-level talks commenced.

The delegation-level talks constituted a session addressing diplomatic economic and security-related issues between Türkiye and Germany. On the Turkish side President Erdoğan chaired the meeting; present were Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan President’s Communications Director Burhanettin Duran President of the Presidency of Defense Industries Haluk Görgün President’s Advisor on Foreign Policy and Security Akif Çağatay Kılıç and other officials. The German delegation was reported to have engaged in discussions on security energy and economic cooperation.

President Erdoğan and German Chancellor Merz chair the delegation-level talks 30 October 2025 – (Anadolu Agency)

Joint Press Conference

On 30 October 2025 President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz held a joint press conference at the Presidential Complex.

President Erdoğan and German Chancellor Merz hold a joint press conference 30 October 2025 – (Anadolu Agency)

President Erdoğan, regarding full membership of Türkiye in the European Union, stated, “If the determined resolve demonstrated by Türkiye receives the recognition it deserves within the Union, we can make significant progress in a very short time.” Regarding his meetings with German Chancellor Merz, he added, “In our discussions, we once again confirmed that the Turkish community living in Germany represents our shared values and richness. I emphasized the importance of confronting rising xenophobia, even reaching racism, and Islamophobia in Europe.”

Erdoğan also said, “Germany is Türkiye’s largest trading partner in Europe. We aim to increase our trade volume, which has reached 50 billion dollars, to 60 billion dollars in the near term.” He further added, “In light of changing security conditions in Europe, we must move beyond the challenges in defense industry supply chains and focus on joint projects.”

Erdoğan noted, “We are aware of the importance Germany attaches to working in alignment with Türkiye on Syria.” Regarding the war between Ukraine and Russia, he added, “We consider it essential to continue diplomatic efforts to achieve a just and lasting resolution to the conflict.”

On Gaza, he said, “I conveyed to them our views on the two-state solution as the key to lasting peace in the region and on preventing the recurrence of these atrocities. Hamas does not possess bombs or nuclear weapons, but Israel does—and Israel used them yesterday to strike Gaza. Are you in Germany not seeing this? For years, the effort has been to discipline Gaza not through direct strikes alone, but through starvation and genocide—and this continues today. We must activate Germany’s Red Cross and our own Red Crescent to end the genocide and the starvation being inflicted here. Just as we say the Russia-Ukraine war must end, we stand for an end to the violence between Israel and Gaza. Türkiye and Germany are two important countries that can work hand in hand on this issue.”

Regarding EU accession negotiations, President Erdoğan assessed, “If the Copenhagen Criteria are applied to Türkiye, then we too have our Ankara Criteria. Through the Ankara Criteria, we open ourselves to Europe and the world.” When asked about investigations targeting the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, he responded, “Regardless of your position, if you undermine the rule of law, then in a state of justice, judicial institutions are obligated to do whatever is required.”

President Erdoğan and German Chancellor Merz hold a press conference, 30 October 2025 – (Anadolu Agency)

German Chancellor Merz, for his part, stated, “Türkiye is a very important actor on all foreign policy and security issues that concern us. We will deepen our cooperation in the field of security policy.” He added, “We want to see Türkiye in the European Union.”