Main political events in Türkiye in the last week.
Main political events in Türkiye in the last week.
It was another eventful week in Türkiye.
One of the top items was the visit of German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to Ankara.
MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli’s latest remarks on the ongoing “Terror-free Türkiye” process” process drew public attention.
Another major topic was Azerbaijan’s cancellation of the Conference of European Rabbis following reactions from Türkiye.
Chancellor Merz in Ankara
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz paid his first official visit to Türkiye since taking office. Merz held a meeting with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
Erdoğan welcomed Merz with an official ceremony at the Presidential Complex. Alongside their one-on-one meeting, the delegations of the two countries had talks.
According to official statements, talks covered bilateral relations, regional and global issues, notably Ukraine and Gaza.
After the talks, Erdoğan and Merz held a joint press conference.
President Erdoğan began his remarks by highlighting Türkiye’s European Union accession process, saying:
“We reiterated our expectations regarding our full membership in the European Union, which we consider a strategic goal. If the determination Türkiye has shown in this regard receives the recognition it deserves from the Union, we could make significant progress in a very short time. Given the current global and regional developments, I believe the strategic importance of Türkiye–EU relations could be better understood.”
Erdoğan also touched on the situation of Turks living in Germany:
“We emphasized the importance we attach to protecting the hard-earned achievements of our brothers and sisters in Germany. In this context, I underlined the significance of combating the rise of xenophobia and Islamophobia across Europe which in places have even turned into outright racism. We have always supported our brothers and sisters abroad in integrating into their host countries while preserving their culture, identity, and traditional values. Our support in this regard will continue.”
On the economic and security fronts, Erdoğan made the following assessment:
“The exceptional economic and trade relations between Türkiye and Germany continue to progress positively. Germany is Türkiye’s largest trading partner in Europe. We aim to increase our trade volume, which has reached 50 billion dollars, to 60 billion in the near term.
We also discussed defense cooperation with the Chancellor, as a means to elevate both trade and joint investments to a higher level. In light of changing security conditions across Europe, we should overcome the supply difficulties we faced in the past regarding defense industry products and focus on joint projects.”
President Erdoğan, stating that they addressed regional and global issues as well, said Türkiye has from the very first day worked to keep the genocide in Gaza on international agenda, to reach a ceasefire and the delivery of humanitarian aid. He added:
“We shared our views on preventing such atrocities again and on the two-state solution, which is the key to permanent peace in the region. We also expressed the need for uninterrupted humanitarian aid and called on all parties to take responsibility in the post-war reconstruction process.”
Erdoğan noted that Syria and Ukraine were also part of his discussions with Chancellor Merz:
“Ensuring Syria’s territorial integrity and the welfare of all Syrians remains one of our top priorities. We attach great importance to the implementation of the March 10 Agreement and are closely monitoring the messages given in this regard. We see Germany’s intention to coordinate with us in Syria.
We also exchanged views on the Russia–Ukraine war. It is essential, in our view, to maintain diplomatic efforts to achieve a fair and permanent resolution.
Today once again, we confirmed that the Turkish-German partnership, built on solid foundations and a multi-layered relationship network, is indispensable for the security of Europe and neighboring regions. With this understanding, we will continue to work in close cooperation with Germany in the coming period.”
During the question&answer part of the press conference, President Erdoğan was asked about the situation of Ekrem İmamoğlu, the mayor of Istanbul and CHP’s presidential candidate, who remains in detention. Erdoğan replied:
“No matter what office someone holds, you cannot trample the rule of law in a state governed by law. Whoever you are, the judiciary must do whatever is necessary. Otherwise corruption, theft and all kinds of wrongdoing will run rampant. That’s how the process in Istanbul unfolded, and right now the judiciary is doing its work.”
Erdoğan and Chancellor Merz expressed different views on the genocide in Gaza. While Merz used statements supportive of Israel, Erdoğan said he doesn’t agree with those. Erdoğan said:
“Hamas does not possess bombs, nuclear weapons. All of these weapons are in Israel’s hands. Israel used these weapons, for example, last night it struck Gaza again with bombs. Don’t you see this as Germany? By bombing, by starvation and by genocide, Israel has constantly sought to subdue Gaza. This still continues. Even sending food into Gaza is impeded. For instance, our Red Crescent cannot deliver food aid there. (…) This is our humanitarian duty. I believe that Germany, Türkiye and the countries in the region must do their part so that this slaughter is stopped.”
Merz, underlining Türkiye’s importance as an ally, emphasized restarting strategic dialogue and closer cooperation on security:
“Türkiye is a crucial actor on almost all foreign and security policy issues that concern us. (…) We will restart a strategic dialogue. We will work more closely in the field of security. For example, we mentioned earlier, on the procurement of Eurofighter aircraft. I want to express that this partnership offers many opportunities. We could see important developments in transport and railways for instance.”
On Türkiye’s EU accession, Merz said:
“As Germany, we want to see Türkiye in the EU. We see Türkiye alongside the Union and we wish for it to move forward on that path.”
Chancellor Friedrich Merz said that both sides share the same view on the need to end the war in Ukraine as soon as possible. Referring to US President Donald Trump’s recent remarks suggesting that Russia should agree to a ceasefire and negotiations based on the current front line, Merz said he had briefed Erdoğan on the ongoing discussions within the EU.
He added the UE progresses on using Russia’s frozen assets to supply arms to Ukraine:
“The EU and the US are working on introducing sanctions simultaneously. Afterwards, of course, the United Nations will need to implement them too. We are determined to implement these sanctions and must ensure that they are not bypassed. We will make progress in bringing Russia to the negotiating table.”
Bahçeli’s remarks on “Terror-free Türkiye” process
Devlet Bahçeli, leader of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) and a partner in the governing coalition, delivered a speech at his party’s parliamentary group meeting. He made remarkable statements on the ongoing “terror-free Türkiye” process and other issues.
Commenting on the debate over whether the parliamentary commission formed to run the “terror-free Türkiye” process should meet with Abdullah Öcalan, the imprisoned leader of the dissolved terrorist organization PKK, Bahçeli said:
“The National Unity and Brotherhood Commission of the Grand National Assembly has reached the final stage of its work. I hope that the legal and political steps to be taken will be established with broad consensus. Of course, the views of the PKK’s founding leader should be taken into account at this final stage, and the vicious debates of recent days should be brought to an end.”
Bahçeli also warned against what he described as deliberate efforts to create tension between Öcalan and Selahattin Demirtaş, the jailed former co-chair of the PKK-affiliated political party:
“We are well aware that the so-called experts and certain media outlets are trying to stir up a conflict between Öcalan and Demirtaş and thus undermine the goal of a terror-free Türkiye. We know whom these experts serve.”
After the meeting, Bahçeli gave answers to journalists’ questions:
“If the parliamentary commission visits İmralı and obtains the necessary messages firsthand, this would further strengthen the process. The MHP is ready to take part in that meeting. Until now, the founding leadership of the organization and Öcalan have kept their word.”
Bahçeli also commented on the potential release of Selahattin Demirtaş, saying: “Demirtaş’s release would be conducive to good outcomes.”
Another issue Bahçeli touched upon was the statements of US Ambassador to Ankara, Tom Barrack, regarding the normalization of relations between Türkiye and Israel:
“Tom Barrack’s statement that ‘you will see cooperation between Türkiye and Israel from the Caspian to the Mediterranean’ reflects an extraordinary lapse of judgment by an ambassador eager to dictate the course of a country. Foreign mission officials must know their place!”
Lastly Bahçeli talked about the claim in the media that MHP’s alliance with the AKP might deteriorate:
“Even if troubles pour down like rain, we will be here, by the side of our nation, serving it. We are the Nationalist Movement Party and the People’s Alliance.
We will never leave anyone alone with their troubles. (…)
It should be clear to everyone: there is absolutely no disagreement or political conflict between the Nationalist Movement Party and the People’s Alliance regarding the objective of a terror-free Türkiye.
Cancellation of the Conference of European Rabbis in Azerbaijan
The Conference of European Rabbis scheduled to take place in Azerbaijan from November 4–6, was canceled following strong reactions from Türkiye.
Israeli state media reported that the conference had been called off due to “security reasons” and would be held at another time and location. Israeli media referred to the reactions from the region, notably from Doğu Perinçek, leader of Türkiye’s Vatan Party.
Perinçek had addressed a letter to Azerbaijani President İlham Aliyev:
“Our dear President,
According to media reports, the ‘European Rabbis’ Conference’ is set to take place in Baku from November 4–6, 2025. It is said that hundreds of rabbis will gather to discuss the Abraham Accords and activities against Zionism.
Hosting a conference of this nature in Baku, a conference unprecedented in any Muslim or Turkic country, will intensify threats to our countries and neighbors in West Asia and the Caucasus, and harm the unity of the Islamic and Turkic world.
Under your experienced leadership, it is inconceivable for Azerbaijan to align with the US-Israel axis. Holding this conference in our brotherly Azerbaijan would be remembered as a stain in the future.