Turkish President accuses Germany of ignoring “genocide” in Gaza during a tense press conference with Chancellor Merz, who reaffirms support for Israel and urges Hamas to disarm.

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Europe should forge a deeper strategic partnership with Turkey in response to emerging global challenges, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Thursday on his first official visit to Ankara, which has played a crucial mediating role in the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza.

Human rights activists on Wednesday pressed German Chancellor Friedrich Merz not to turn a blind eye to the crackdown on opposition politicians and other rights violations during his trip to Turkey. Merz has departed for an inaugural visit to Ankara where he is scheduled to meet President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Thursday.

With the economy stagnant and the far-right AfD gaining popularity, the chancellor is under pressure to deliver his promised reforms

We want to achieve them by developing technologies that help us reach these goals,’ Chancellor Merz says ahead of COP30 climate summit - Anadolu Ajansı

By Andreas Rinke and Tuvan Gumrukcu ANKARA (Reuters) -Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan criticised Germany over what he said was its ignorance of Israel's "genocide" and attacks in Gaza, at a joint news conference with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Thursday.

The coalition led by the Christian Democrat Merz faces accusations of opening the door to the international legitimization of the Islamist regime, which Germany and its allies fought for two decades

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is set to host representatives of the country's steel industry next week, in a bid to boost domestic manufacturers under pressure from new US tariffs, Chinese competition and a drop in demand from struggling carmakers.