Federal President Steinmeier received President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan of Turkey in Berlin on 17 November. Their talks covered the situation in the Middle East following Hamas’ terrorist attack on Israel and the war in the Gaza Strip, the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine and the future of NATO, EU-Turkey relations and migration issues, as well as bilateral relations between Germany and Turkey.

After almost 100 years of diplomatic relations, the two countries enjoy close political and economic links, and after decades of Turks immigrating to Germany manifold personal and family ties now exist. These people have become members of our society.

The Federal President commended the endeavours of the Turkish President to mediate an agreement between Ukraine and Russia on the export of Ukrainian grain.

Given the latest statements from Turkey on the Middle East conflict, Federal President Steinmeier stated Germany’s position in no uncertain terms. The Federal President reiterated the condemnation of Hamas’ attack on Israel as an act of terrorism and underscored Hamas’ classification as a terrorist organisation. He drew special attention to Israel’s right to exist and its right of self-defence.

The Presidents agreed that all efforts must be directed towards helping to free the hostages and preventing the conflict from spreading across the region. They stressed that the civilian population must be protected and the provision of humanitarian aid in Gaza must be urgently improved. To this end, Germany will significantly step up its humanitarian assistance.

Both Presidents stressed that the only way to bring lasting peace to the region is by pursuing the path towards a two-state solution.