Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan expressed Türkiye’s readiness to further develop its "deep-rooted" relations with Germany during a meeting with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Monday.

The meeting took place at the Turkish House in New York on the sidelines of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly.

In the meeting, Erdoğan emphasized that Türkiye and Germany are allies, and ongoing efforts to enhance cooperation across various sectors will benefit both nations, according to Türkiye’s Communications Directorate.

The two leaders discussed bilateral relations, Israel's recent attacks in Palestine, revitalizing Türkiye's European Union membership process, and other regional and global issues.

Erdoğan underscored the importance of reviving relations between Türkiye and the EU, calling on Germany to provide support, especially in addressing visa challenges. He noted that Turkish citizens face prolonged waiting periods for EU visas, often receiving short-term visas or being denied without explanation.

On the subject of Israel's actions in Palestine, Erdoğan criticized the country for expanding its "cycle of violence" and disregarding international law and human rights. He attributed Israel’s increased aggression to the support it receives from Western nations, particularly Germany, which he said has contributed to unprecedented massacres in Gaza.

The meeting highlights Türkiye's focus on deepening cooperation with Germany and addressing key concerns in its relationship with the EU. (ILKHA)