The chancellor’s official announcement is modest but gives the impression: “On October 19, the chancellor Olaf Solz will meet the Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Istanbul for talks. The focus will be on Ukraine, the situation in the Middle East, immigration and economic policy issues. At the end there will be a joint press conference.”

Deputy government spokesman Georg Buchner even called Turkey an “important partner” regarding the war in Ukraine, without, however, giving more details about Turkey’s possible participation in a new “contact group for Ukraine.”

Express deportations to Turkey soon

Beyond the developments in the Middle East, with Turkey playing an important and at the same time controversial role in the region, immigration and specifically the issue of deportations (returns) of Turkish citizens is expected to be at the center of attention, taking into account recent statements by the Minister of the Interior Nancy Fezer . According to the government’s plans, as reported by German media and as it was realized this week in the German parliament, deportation flights to Turkey could also be accelerated in the coming weeks.

At the moment, as the tagesschau.de website reports, the German government is in negotiations with the Turkish government. “We are working with this goal in mind and I am sure that we will have success in the coming weeks,” she said. Already according to the same publication, the Ministry of the Interior has asked the states to draw up relevant lists, while the relevant rapid deportation procedures could also be handled by the Turkish consulates in Germany, the publication states. It should be noted that after these asylum seekers from Syria and Afghanistan, Turkey follows.

Turkey is waiting for the green light for Eurofighter

On the other hand, Turkey seems to be asking for compensation, while its request from Germany for green light for the purchase of Eurofighter fighter aircraft. According to Turkish sources, cited by a dpa cable, the Turkish government expects “progress” in the Eurofighter purchase and expects “positive messages from Germany”, which has so far blocked the process. According to Turkey’s Minister of Defense Yasar Güler, Turkey has already obtained the “yes” of Great Britain and Spain, but not Germany, which is a co-producer.

In the government briefing, however, A government spokesman was coy when asked about Eurofigher, citing the confidentiality of defense and armaments talks, but commented that there is always “something new” to be expected from a chancellor’s visit. Last November, during Erdoğan’s episodic visit to Berlin, the German government avoided any mention of the controversial issue.

Spiegel: From 1.2 million to 250 million for equipment

But a lot has changed since then. And possibly, if the Spiegel report is confirmed, and Germany’s stance on the export of weapon systems to Turkey. Since the failed coup of 2016 until today and against the background of human rights violations, which the West accuses Turkey of against journalists, dissidents, political opponents, judges and artists, the shipments of military equipment to Turkey had been kept to a minimum.

Characteristics at the end of 2023 amounted to a total of 1.22 million euros (17 contracts). According to Spiegel, which speaks of a shift by the German government on the issue of arms exports to Turkey, the new license approvals amount to over 250 million euros. These include 100 anti-aircraft guided missiles and torpedoes for the Turkish navy as well as parts to modernize submarines and frigates.