In Istanbul, Erdogan and Merkel hail their "constructive" relationship despite "differences"

German Chancellor Angela Merkel is received by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the Huber Hotel before their meeting in Istanbul on October 16, 2021. © Murad Sezer, Reuters

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While negotiations are continuing in Germany to form a new coalition and appoint his successor, Chancellor Angela Merkel paid her last official visit to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday, October 16.

Without denying their many differences, the two leaders preferred to insist on their efforts to find compromises, in particular on the migration issue.

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With our correspondent in Istanbul,

Anne Andlauer

Recep Tayyip Erdogan did not say so, but he will undoubtedly regret Angela Merkel. During their last joint press conference, the Turkish head of state in any case wished several times the continuation with

the future German executive

of what he called " 

our successful work with Ms. Merkel

 ". He praised the “ 

leadership

 ” of the Chancellor and praised her “

constructive

 ”

approach 

during the 16 years they have been together.

Unsurprisingly, the two leaders therefore returned to the 2016 migration agreement,

concluded between Ankara and the European Union

, but actually negotiated by Angela Merkel.

The latter assured that the EU would continue to support Turkey, recalling the 6 billion euros already allocated to this country

to help it welcome more than 3.7 million Syrians

and deeming " 

necessary

 " to support Ankara in its fight against human trafficking.

Linked to each other

 "

“ 

We have always sought solutions,

 ” the Chancellor stressed, also referring to human rights violations in Turkey.

Before adding this sentence which sums up well what Angela Merkel's approach was towards Recep Tayyip Erdogan's Turkey: “ 

We can have different points of view, but we are linked to each other. others.

 "

 See also: 

Visit to Ankara by EU officials: the conciliating role of the German Chancellor

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  • Germany

  • Turkey

  • Angela Merkel

  • Recep Tayyip Erdogan

  • Diplomacy

  • European Union

  • Immigration

  • Human rights