Arafat Hasan: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will visit Germany this week as the two countries seek to rebuild ties after a series of sharp spats, however, the trip is likely to be overshadowed by protests.
It will be Erdogan’s first official visit to Germany since becoming president in 2014, and follows a prolonged bout of tensions sparked by Berlin’s criticism of his crackdown on opponents in the wake of a failed 2016 coup.
Erdogan told Turkish media that “the main goal of this visit is to completely leave behind this period (of tensions).”
The Turkish leader, seen as an increasingly authoritarian ruler by detractors, will land in Berlin today and will hold talks with Chancellor Merkel over the following days.
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier is scheduled to welcome him with military honors and a state dinner at Bellevue Palace tomorrow, which several opposition politicians have vowed to boycott. Merkel too is expected to be absent.
On Saturday, Erdogan will travel to Cologne to open one of Europe’s largest mosques, commissioned by the Turkish-controlled Ditib organization.
Commentators have been pointing out that Erdogan’s push for a fresh start comes as the Turkish economy is struggling while relations with the United States worsened. Source: AFP
Our time is a news portal