Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul has reaffirmed Germany's support for closer Turkey-EU ties during talks in Berlin. The government also plans the temporary deployment of a Patriot air defense system to Turkey.
At a joint press conference with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Wadephul stressed that Germany would remain a reliable partner if Turkey continued to pursue full EU membership. He added, however, that all accession criteria must be met.
The German government also advocates modernizing the customs union and called for Turkey to be included in EU defense and industrial policy. Fidan highlighted the importance of visa-free travel in this context.
Separately, the Defense Ministry announced plans to send a fire unit with 150 soldiers from Husum to Turkey at the end of June. The deployment is scheduled to last until September and aims to bolster NATO air defenses on the southeastern flank. Defense Minister Boris Pistorius described it as a fair burden-sharing within the alliance.
