Overview
- After talks in Berlin, Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul called on the EU to approach Turkey and strengthen the channel of talks, saying it is time to open a new chapter.
- Wadephul underscored that the Copenhagen criteria on democracy, human rights and the rule of law are non‑negotiable and said Ankara must show it intends to follow that path.
- Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said EU membership remains Turkey’s strategic goal, asserted readiness to meet all prerequisites, and urged reopening negotiation chapters and normalising relations.
- Wadephul voiced openness to Turkey’s participation in the €150 billion EU ‘Safe’ defense procurement program, describing discussions as constructive and still in progress rather than settled.
- Germany cast itself in an active role to secure results soon as accession talks, opened in 2005 after Turkey’s 1999 application, remain effectively frozen.