Turkish President Erdogan met with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Istanbul to discuss the increasing conflict in the Middle East and potential defense industry cooperation. Scholz expressed support for Turkey’s efforts regarding migration and refugees, stating that Germany will assist with the consequences of the war in Syria and promote progress between Turkey and the EU.
Turkey has been hosting millions of refugees from Syria since the civil war began in 2011, with over 3.2 million registered and many unregistered. Recently, Erdogan’s government has deported over 50,000 Syrian refugees back to their home country to ease domestic tensions and economic pressures. Additionally, more than 600,000 Syrian refugees have “voluntarily” returned to Syria.
Despite these challenges, Erdogan announced that Turkey’s doors remain open to refugees from Lebanon in light of Israel’s ongoing offensive in the region. He emphasized Turkey’s willingness to welcome those seeking refuge from the conflict in Lebanon.
The meeting between Erdogan and Scholz highlighted the importance of international cooperation in addressing the refugee crisis and conflicts in the Middle East. Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to working together on issues of mutual interest, including potential defense agreements and supporting refugees in the region.
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