Turkish President Erdogan Holds Talks with Merkel Amid Regional Tensions

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz made his first visit to Turkey since taking office, meeting with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to discuss defense cooperation and migration issues. The talks signal a potential shift in European-Turkish relations as both countries face changing security challenges.

Erdogan pushed for joint defense projects between the two nations, saying the countries should move past previous obstacles in defense trade. "In light of the changing security conditions in Europe, we must leave behind the problems in purchasing defense industry products and focus on joint projects," he said during a joint press conference.

The timing matters here. Europe's security landscape has shifted dramatically since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, creating new demand for defense partnerships. Turkey has built a strong defense industry in recent years, producing everything from drones to armored vehicles. Germany, meanwhile, is ramping up its military spending after decades of cuts.

For defense companies and investors, this could open new opportunities. Turkey's defense exports hit record levels recently, and closer ties with Germany might help Turkish firms access European markets more easily. German companies could also benefit from Turkey's lower production costs and growing technical capabilities.

Erdogan also renewed Turkey's push to join the European Union, a goal that has stalled for years over human rights concerns and other issues. Merz struck a supportive tone, calling Turkey a "close partner" of the EU and saying Germany wants to "continue paving the way toward Europe."

But the migration issue remains tricky. Merz said he wants more progress on returning asylum seekers whose applications were rejected. This has been a persistent source of tension, as Germany and other EU countries rely on Turkey to manage migration flows from the Middle East and beyond.

The meeting suggests both sides want to rebuild ties that have been strained in recent years. For Turkey, closer European partnerships could help its struggling economy. For Germany, Turkey offers strategic value as a NATO ally sitting between Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.