"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," Merz said at a joint news conference with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara."
""There have been decisions in Turkey that do not yet fully meet the standards of the Copenhagen criteria," Merz said, without naming specific cases."
""Does Germany not see these?""
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz called Turkey a close partner of the European Union and said Germany wants to continue smoothing Turkey's path to Europe during his first visit since taking office. Merz discussed migration, defense and security and said Germany supports Turkey's EU bid while emphasizing the need for democratic reforms and judicial independence, citing decisions that do not yet meet the Copenhagen criteria. Turkish prosecutors filed new charges accusing Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu of espionage; Imamoglu denies earlier corruption charges and has been jailed since March. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan defended the judiciary and criticized Germany's stance on Israel and Gaza, alleging humanitarian crises.
Read at www.dw.com
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