(MENAFN) Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan is set to travel to Germany on Friday for an official visit, invited by his German counterpart, according to diplomatic accounts. This journey represents his first one-on-one visit to the country, following his attendance at the Munich Security Conference earlier in the year. His German host previously held meetings in Ankara in mid-October.

Beyond formal discussions, Fidan is also expected to sit down with members of the Turkish business community and civil society groups based in Germany. Diplomats note that his meeting with the German foreign minister will emphasize “the importance of maintaining the work of consultation and dialogue mechanisms that have gained momentum through high-level visits in Türkiye-Germany relations.”

He is anticipated to express satisfaction with “the steady strengthening of bilateral economic and trade relations,” while exploring how cooperation in sectors such as transportation and energy might be expanded “with a strategic vision.” Fidan also plans to underline that collaboration with Germany “can be further enhanced in areas such as connectivity, artificial intelligence, high technology and digitalization.”

According to diplomatic evaluations, Türkiye and Germany continue to build momentum through exchanges across political, economic, commercial, military, cultural and social fields.

Recent high-level visits from both nations underscore this accelerating engagement.

Germany continues to serve as Türkiye’s top trading partner in Europe and its leading export destination worldwide. Bilateral trade approached roughly $47.5 billion in 2024, and both countries aim to push this volume to $60 billion in the near future. German investors remained highly active in Türkiye in 2024, while Turkish investment in Germany continued to expand. A recent economic and trade committee session was held in Berlin, with the next round planned in Türkiye in 2026.

With well over 3 million people of Turkish origin living in Germany, the diaspora is described as “the human foundation of Türkiye–Germany relations,” reinforcing cultural and social bonds between the two nations.

Fidan is also scheduled to relay Ankara’s expectations regarding its broader relationship with the European Union. Issues such as updating the Customs Union, advancing the Visa Liberalization Dialogue, and integrating Türkiye into the EU’s industrial planning will be highlighted. He will reiterate that “a stronger, institutionalized and mutually trusted cooperation between Türkiye and the EU must be developed,” welcoming recent positive signals from the European side.

The minister will emphasize Türkiye’s role as “a strong country and a NATO ally capable of making significant contributions to Europe’s security architecture, stability and prosperity in every respect.” He is expected to point out that Europe’s growing defense initiatives should proceed in alignment with Türkiye and in ways that complement NATO’s broader mission. He will also underscore the value of Türkiye’s participation in the SAFE framework and explore additional areas for collaboration.

Defense discussions will include potential joint projects to reinforce cooperation between the two allied nations, with particular attention to the agreement to procure Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft, described as “an important development.” Diplomats add that he will reaffirm that “the peace, security and well-being of the Turkish community in Germany is a fundamental priority for Türkiye.”

Fidan will reaffirm Türkiye’s intention to support diplomatic efforts to end the Russia–Ukraine conflict through “a just and lasting peace acceptable to all parties.” He will express Türkiye’s willingness to contribute concretely to initiatives that move the process forward.

On the Middle East, he is expected to stress that “Israel must not be allowed to undermine the ceasefire achieved in Gaza,” and will call for a permanent cessation of hostilities, sustained humanitarian assistance, reconstruction, and the withdrawal of Israeli forces. He will note that measures tied to the latest UN Security Council decision—such as creating a “Peace Board” and an “International Stabilization Force”—must align with the path toward a two-state solution.

When addressing Syria, he will outline Türkiye’s continued engagement aimed at achieving long-term stability grounded in the country’s territorial unity. As part of his remarks, he will assert that Syria, now a member of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, must be central to counterterrorism strategies and that “all restrictions and sanctions on Syria should be lifted” in that context.

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