German President's historic Türkiye visit marks centennial of diplomatic ties

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, on his first visit to Türkiye to commemorate 100 years of diplomatic relations, emphasized the strong ties between the two countries.

Arriving in Istanbul, he was greeted by Governor Davut Gul, German Ambassador Jurgen Schulz, and Türkiye's envoy to Berlin Ahmet Basar Sen at Istanbul Airport. Steinmeier also paid a visit to Istanbul's Sirkeci train station, a symbolic site for the historical migration between Türkiye and Germany.

During his visit, Steinmeier acknowledged the significant contributions of the Turkish community in Germany, highlighting their role in shaping society and the economy.

He underscored the importance of recognizing the shared history between the two countries, dating back to the construction of Ankara and the influx of Turkish guest workers in the 1960s.

Steinmeier emphasized the close bond between Türkiye and Germany, particularly evident in times of crisis such as the 2023 earthquakes, where Germany provided aid and support.

He commended Türkiye's hospitality toward German visitors and highlighted the strong cultural and economic ties between the two countries.

As part of the 100th-anniversary celebrations, Steinmeier's itinerary includes visits to Istanbul, Gaziantep and Ankara, where he will meet with various representatives from business, academia and civil society.

The German President's agenda also includes visits to earthquake shelters and schools supported by Germany, as well as meetings with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and laying a wreath at Anitkabir, the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk.

Source: Newsroom