London, 21 June 2023 (TDI): German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock engaged in discussion with her newly appointed Turkish counterpart, Hakan Fidan, to address crucial regional matters.
The meeting took place on the sidelines of the Ukraine Recovery Conference in London. There, the two diplomats expressed their intention to continue the dialogue in Berlin in the near future.
More than just a first meet-up: @ABaerbock spoke with her new Turkish counterpart @HakanFidan about the Turkish efforts to extend the #BSGI, the situation in Northern Syria & #Sweden‘s NATO accession. Both want to continue the conversation soon in Berlin. pic.twitter.com/kC1qTdcr77
— GermanForeignOffice (@GermanyDiplo) June 21, 2023
The meeting between Minister Baerbock and Minister Fidan emphasized the importance of close cooperation between Germany and Turkey in addressing regional challenges and strengthening bilateral relations.
The focal point of their conversation was the Turkish government’s initiative to extend the Black Sea Grain Initiative. Minister Baerbock acknowledged the significance of the BSGI and expressed Germany’s support for Turkey’s efforts in expanding the initiative, highlighting the potential benefits it could bring to the region’s agricultural sector and economic growth.
The discussion also touched upon the ongoing situation in Northern Syria, where both Germany and Turkey have been closely involved.
Minister Baerbock and Minister Fidan exchanged views on the humanitarian and security challenges in the region and expressed their commitment to finding a sustainable solution that ensures the well-being of the local population and contributes to regional stability.
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The two officials agreed on the necessity of continued coordination and cooperation between their respective governments in addressing the complex issues faced in Northern Syria.
Furthermore, the talks addressed Sweden’s potential accession to NATO, a matter of significance for both Germany and Turkey, as well as the broader European security landscape.
Baerbock and Fidan exchanged insights on the potential implications and benefits of Sweden’s integration into the alliance, considering the country’s long-standing tradition of neutrality. Both officials expressed their interest in closely monitoring the developments and pledged to maintain an open and constructive dialogue on the matter.
To further advance the discussions, Minister Baerbock and Minister Fidan agreed to continue their conversation in Berlin, emphasizing the importance of face-to-face meetings in fostering deeper understanding and collaboration.
The upcoming meeting in the German capital will provide an opportunity for the two foreign ministers to delve into the aforementioned topics in greater detail while also exploring additional areas of mutual interest.
As Germany and Turkey work towards strengthening their bilateral ties and engaging in constructive regional cooperation, the outcome of these discussions will likely have far-reaching implications for the Black Sea region, Northern Syria, and Europe as a whole.
