Merkel to host Turkey’s PM for talks Jan 22

BERLIN - Agence France-Presse

Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu (L) talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel during an EU-Turkey summit in Brussels, Belgium November 29, 2015. REUTERS Photo

Chancellor Angela Merkel will host Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu for talks on Jan. 22, her spokesman said, with discussions to centre on the suicide attack in Istanbul that claimed 10 German lives. The Jan. 12 “attack in Istanbul will play a central role” in the talks, said Steffen Seibert, spokesman for Merkel.

The two leaders will also discuss issues on both countries’ priority lists, including their fight against terrorism and a record refugee influx to Europe.

The talks are part of a series of so-called government consultations that Germany has with only a handful of countries, including India and China.

The Jan. 22 meeting would be the first with Turkey’s cabinet and will include interior, foreign and defence ministers from both sides.

Turkey has a special relationship with Germany as the biggest EU economy is not only home to around three million people with Turkish roots, but also its biggest trading partner.

Turkey, which shares a border with war-torn Syria, is also a key player in the current record migrant influx to Europe, with EU countries needing Ankara’s help to stem the flow.

It has also stepped up its involvement in the US-led coalition against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) through air strikes as well as the hosting of war planes.