Germany’s New Chancellor Pledges Closer NATO Ties with Türkiye, Eyes Ankara Visit
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Germany’s new Chancellor Friedrich Merz pledged to deepen cooperation with Türkiye, calling it a key NATO ally during a press conference in Brussels on Friday. Standing alongside NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, Merz emphasized Türkiye’s vital role in securing NATO’s southeastern flank and said he will do “everything” to expand the partnership.
“Türkiye is an extremely valuable and important NATO partner for us,” Merz said. “Its strategic position in NATO is absolutely vital.”
Merz Confirms Planned Visit to Ankara, Reviews Eurofighter Jet Talks
Merz announced plans to visit Ankara soon following an invitation from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, reinforcing his administration’s intent to reset relations with Türkiye.
Regarding the long-delayed decision on the potential sale of Eurofighter jets to Türkiye, Merz clarified that no approval has been granted yet by the German federal government.
“We still need to decide whether to approve the delivery of fighter jets to Türkiye,” Merz told reporters, adding that Berlin aims for “the closest possible ties” with Ankara within NATO.
Türkiye Seeks 40 Eurofighters Amid Strategic Repositioning
Türkiye, which commands NATO’s second-largest military, has expressed interest in purchasing 40 Eurofighter Typhoon jets, a platform jointly developed by Germany, the UK, Italy, and Spain. However, as a co-producer, Germany’s consent is required for the export deal to proceed.
The previous German coalition, particularly under pressure from the Green Party, had expressed hesitations regarding arms sales to Türkiye, citing concerns over human rights and regional policy.
Merz’s Brussels Visit Marks Foreign Policy Shift
Chancellor Merz’s Brussels visit—one of his first international engagements since taking office on Tuesday—included meetings with both NATO and European Union officials. The center-right CDU/CSU coalition, now governing with the Social Democrats, appears to be recalibrating Germany’s foreign and defense policy amid shifting global dynamics.
His comments signal renewed interest in rebuilding trust and strategic coordination with Türkiye, especially within the NATO alliance, at a time of heightened geopolitical tension.
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