Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has arrived in Berlin for crucial talks with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, marking his first visit to Germany since 2020. The leaders engaged in discussions lasting several hours, addressing key issues that have strained relations between the two nations.

Disagreements on Israel-Hamas War: A focal point of contention during the talks was the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Hamas Islamist militant group. Chancellor Scholz emphasized Israel's right to self-defense, asserting that it must "not be called into question." Erdogan, however, continued his sharp criticism of Israel's offensive in Gaza, condemning actions such as "shooting hospitals [and] killing children." He suggested that a ceasefire in Gaza could be achieved if Germany joined Turkey in calling for it.

Divergent views on the conflict emerged, with Erdogan accusing Israel of war crimes and referring to Hamas militants as "liberators," while Scholz dismissed these accusations as "absurd." The Hamas group is classified as a terrorist organization by Israel, Germany, the United States, the EU, and other nations.

Additional Points of Discussion:

NATO and Sweden's Accession: Scholz mentioned that discussions with Erdogan might touch upon Sweden's potential accession to the NATO military alliance. Turkey had initially objected to Sweden's bid due to residency policies for groups classified as terrorists by Ankara. Although Erdogan dropped these objections, parliamentary approval for Sweden's NATO membership is pending.

Migration: The talks are expected to address migration issues, with the EU viewing Turkey as a key ally in efforts to manage arrivals at the bloc's external borders.

Upcoming Municipal Elections: As Turkey gears up for municipal elections early next year, Erdogan's ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) aims to reclaim control of the capital, Ankara, and Istanbul, the most populous city.

The discussions between Erdogan and Scholz underscored the deep-seated disagreements on the Israel-Hamas conflict, while also addressing crucial geopolitical and domestic issues that impact both nations.