Discussions on the Eurofighter supply to Turkey are “work in progress” and Britain has an active role in them (including as a member of the consortium that builds the fighters), Chancellor Olaf Solz said at a joint press conference with President Tayyip Erdogan according to Reuters.

“Turkey is a member of NATO and that’s why we also have decisions on specific issues, recently we took some decisions and there will be other decisions. There are plans that are at an initial stage, there are consultations by the British government, there will be developments in this matter and there will be progress,” he said according to Manolis Kostidis.

Berlin recently approved arms sales to NATO ally Turkey, the chancellor was quoted as saying by an earlier report by Anadolu Agency, adding that “there will be more.” The statement, reportedly made by Olaf Solz from Istanbul, comes in the wake of reports that Berlin has “given the green light” to supply Ankara with the Eurofighter.

“I would also like to refer to the relations between Turkey and Greece. I am very happy to see that these relations are developing in a more positive direction. At the same time, I hope this course will lead to the continuation of good friendly relations. At the same time, we wish to see the development of relations between Turkey and the European Union. I also felt very satisfied that the Turkish Foreign Minister participated in the informal conference of the European Union Foreign Ministers in August, for the first time in 5 years,” noted the German Chancellor.

He appealed again for a ceasefire and de-escalation in the Middle East. He said Israel has a right to defend itself, but “must comply with international law.”

“It is no secret that we have different opinions on the issue of Israel. The attack by Hamas on October 7 was a heinous crime and it has led the people of Gaza to destruction. Everyone has the right to self-defense,” he explained.

Olaf Solz also warned of the rise of the far-right, saying that any form of inhumane exclusion, “neither anti-Semitism nor Islamophobia”, cannot be accepted.

“Turkey wishes to develop cooperation, to overcome the difficulties of the past with its NATO ally Germany for the supply of defense industry products,” President Erdoğan said.

“Ankara and Berlin are committed to fighting terrorist groups, especially the PKK, FETO, which threaten public security in Germany as well,” the Turkish president asserted.

Tayyip Erdogan has attacked Benjamin Netanyahu, saying he has an “expansionist mentality” and is clearly not focused on keeping the war within “certain limits.”

“Eurofighters high on the agenda”

In its analysis earlier, DW reported on the Anchor that Tayyip Erdoğan, with his known skill in political dealings, is expected to display this skill during the Turkey-Germany meeting in Istanbul. In summary, while Chancellor Solz will seek to pressure Erdogan for enhanced cooperation on immigration, the Turkish president will try to persuade the German leader to lift Berlin’s reservations about arms exports to Ankara.

The timing of her decision Germany to approve extensive arms sales deals to Turkey is no accident. Der Spiegel magazine revealed details of this deal a few days ago. Equally important, ahead of the German chancellor’s trip to Turkey, there are growing indications that Berlin has lifted its embargo against the supply of Eurofighters to Ankara.

Modernizing the aging air force is a strategic priority for the Turkish military. If Berlin were to change its policy on this issue now, it would be yet another sign of abandoning a foreign policy based primarily on values ​​and principles. The Greens’ foreign minister, Analena Burbock, was one of the staunchest supporters of this policy.

The new pragmatism, or Realpolitik, is a result of the “Zeitenwende” (Change of Era) that followed the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The war in Eastern Europe affects German politics more than any other event. The argument is increasingly being heard in Berlin that if Germany does not supply the weapons, others will. At the same time, German jobs are also at stake, as some parts of the Eurofighter are produced in German factories.

German arms exports to Turkey affect relations between Germany and Greece over time. Athens has traditionally viewed these deals as an unfriendly move, expressing concerns about upsetting the military balance with Turkey.