Merkel pleased with Eastern Mediterranean dialogue, wants progress

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and German's Chancellor Angela Merkel discussed bilateral ties, regional issues, and Turkey-EU relations via video link yesterday (February 8).

The two leaders also discussed issues that would improve cooperation between the two countries, according to a statement by Turkey's Communications Directorate.

Also releasing a statement, Germany's government said, "The Chancellor welcomed the most recent positive signals and developments in the Eastern Mediterranean. She stressed that it was now important to make progress in the dialogue."

Last month, Turkey and Greece restarted the exploratory talks on the Eastern Mediterranean, where tensions had been high since Turkey started hydrocarbon exploration activities in July 2020.

In the video talk, Erdogan said Turkey wishes to intensify contacts and have technical talks with the bloc in the period ahead of an EU summit planned to be held in March.

Highlighting that the EU's fair and constructive approach to Turkey would benefit both sides, Erdogan reiterated his call for updating a refugee deal inked on March 18, 2016.

He also reiterated his expectation on a Turkey-EU summit to be held before Portugal's presidency of the EU Council ends. (VK)