German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier will embark on a three-day official visit to Türkiye on Monday, with plans to meet President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara on Wednesday.

During his visit, President Steinmeier aims to recognize the significant contributions of Turks who migrated to Germany as guest workers since the 1960s. These individuals played a crucial role in the economic development and success of Germany. Stemming from a 1961 labour recruitment agreement between the governments of Bonn and Ankara, approximately 876,000 people from Türkiye migrated to Germany. Today, nearly 3 million individuals with Turkish backgrounds reside in Germany, shaping the country's identity and narrative.

President Steinmeier's itinerary includes a visit to the historic Sirkeci railway station in Istanbul, where he plans to deliver a speech. The station holds significance as a departure point for many Turks heading to Germany.

In addition to acknowledging the Turkish-German historical ties, President Steinmeier intends to visit the region affected by the devastating earthquake in February 2023, which claimed over 53,000 lives in Türkiye and several thousand more in neighboring Syria. Following the disaster, the German government pledged 238 million euros ($254 million) in earthquake aid to support recovery efforts in Türkiye and Syria.

President Steinmeier's visit underscores the longstanding partnership between Germany and Türkiye and highlights the importance of cooperation and solidarity in addressing shared challenges and promoting mutual understanding. (ILKHA)