German FM visits Türkiye to discuss Gaza, Ukraine, Europe's security future

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul is set to travel to Türkiye on October 17 for high-level talks with Turkish officials, amid growing uncertainty over the future of peace efforts in the Middle East.

According to the German Foreign Office, Wadephul—representing Germany’s conservative bloc—will meet with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and other senior members of the Turkish government in the capital Ankara. The discussions are expected to focus heavily on the escalating humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip and broader regional security concerns, DPA reports.

A spokesperson for the Foreign Office in Berlin confirmed that the talks would centre on the need to "quickly improve the humanitarian situation" in Gaza and on steps to begin implementing key elements of US President Donald Trump’s 20-point peace initiative.

Beyond the Gaza crisis, the German delegation is expected to raise issues including the ongoing war in Ukraine, the protracted conflict in Syria, and a range of bilateral matters.

The Turkish Foreign Ministry, in a statement ahead of the visit, said both sides intend to highlight “the importance they attach to coordinating European security strategies under the NATO umbrella.”

Ankara is seeking a more active role in the European Union’s recently launched defence initiative, the Security Action for Europe (SAFE) strategy, unveiled in May. SAFE is designed to strengthen the European defence industry, including increased joint procurement and development of military technologies.

As part of the initiative, up to €150 billion ($175 billion) in low-interest loans has been earmarked to support European armament and industrial collaboration. The German government has expressed openness to Türkiye’s involvement in the program, a move that could deepen Ankara's integration into European defence planning despite its non-EU status.

By Vafa Guliyeva