Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and German counterpart Johann Wadephul said Monday that Ankara and Berlin are both keen to deepen strategic cooperation.
Speaking at a joint press conference in Berlin, the two top diplomats also warned that ongoing conflict in the Middle East and the continued closure of the Hormuz Strait were creating global risks.
They made the remarks after co-chairing the third meeting of the Türkiye-Germany Strategic Dialogue Mechanism, a diplomatic platform devoted to strengthening bilateral ties.
Although the platform was initially launched in 2013, it has remained largely inactive for over a decade.
Speaking to reporters, Fidan said the war on Iran by a U.S.-Israeli military alliance must be resolved through diplomacy, stressing that Ankara would continue “with all its might” to help bring the conflict, which began in late February, to an end.
Both foreign ministers also agreed that the continued closure of the Hormuz Strait, one of the world’s most vital shipping chokepoints, was fuelling a global crisis by threatening international energy supplies.
Fidan also condemned Israel’s interception on Monday of a Gaza-bound aid flotilla, saying 25 vessels had thus far been stopped by Israeli naval forces.
The interceptions violate international law, Fidan said, describing the move by Israel as “thuggery.”
Wadephul, for his part, said Berlin sought to expand Türkiye-European Union strategic ties, especially at a time when conflicts – in both Ukraine and the Middle East – were reshaping Europe’s security calculations.
“Türkiye has the potential to exert considerable influence on these trouble spots,” the German foreign minister said.
“Not only because of its geographical proximity, but also because of its enormous political and economic significance,” he added.
He also said Berlin supported stronger strategic relations between Ankara and the EU, including Türkiye’s participation in the development of European defence and industrial policies.
“If Türkiye wishes to join the EU, it will find a friendly and reliable partner in Germany,” Wadephul said, while adding that Ankara still must meet the bloc’s criteria for accession.
According to diplomatic sources, the third Strategic Dialogue meeting, held behind closed doors, covered bilateral ties, Türkiye-EU relations, issues pertaining to security and defence, and regional developments.
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U.S. efforts to squeeze Iran’s economy through an oil blockade and sanctions are becoming increasingly difficult for Tehran to withstand, according to three senior Iranian sources. Washington is escalating pressure in hopes of securing concessions in future negotiations.
Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for the 4th of September, covering the latest developments.
Two people have been rescued alive from a tunnel in Nepal, nine days after catastrophic floods devastated the country, as rescuers continue searching for survivors.
An Iranian tanker was hit by U.S. forces on Saturday near Iran's key oil export hub, Kharg Island, in the Gulf, the semi-official Iranian news agency Tasnim reported.
U.S. efforts to squeeze Iran’s economy through an oil blockade and sanctions are becoming increasingly difficult for Tehran to withstand, according to three senior Iranian sources. Washington is escalating pressure in hopes of securing concessions in future negotiations.
The Iranian Health Ministry said at least 18 people were killed and 142 others injured in U.S. airstrikes carried out between 30 August and 2 September.
The Iranian Army has again struck at U.S. bases in Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates in retaliation for U.S. attacks on southern and western parts of Iran late on Tuesday, which reportedly killed 18 people and injured more than 100 others.
The U.S. has launched a fresh wave of strikes on Iran, targeting Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) sites as Tehran retaliated against U.S. positions across the region, while Iranian officials said at least five people were killed and dozens wounded at a wedding near Sirik.
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