Merkel to Ask Turkish Officials to Ratify Protocols Without Delay

German Chancellor Angela Merkel begins a two-day visit to Turkey today. According to Turkish news agency Ankara, Merkel and her delegation, which includes German Minister of State in the Federal Chancellery, Federal Government Commissioner for Migration, Refugees, and Integration Maria Böhmer, as well as representatives from German political parties, were greeted by Turkey’s Minister for European Affairs Egemen Bagis, Governor of Ankara Kemal Önal and German Ambassador to Turkey Eckart Cuntz.

In Turkey, Merkel will meet with Turkish President Abdullah Gül and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. During the meetings, apart from bilateral relations, the parties will discuss issues related to the Middle East, Iran, Cyprus and Armenian-Turkish relations.

According to various Turkish media, during talks, the German Chancellor will ask Turkish officials to ratify the Armenian-Turkish Protocols without further delay, as well as open the Turkish seaports in Cyprus.