Kramp-Karrenbauer in Ankara: Turkey is an important partner

Often little has been going on with Turkey recently, but nothing against Turkey either.

The Minister of Defense is visiting Ankara for the first time.

The topics: Russia, armaments and Afghanistan.

Ankara (dpa) - Defense Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer has sought security-political solidarity with Turkey regardless of political differences of opinion.

During her first visit to Ankara, the CDU politician assured her colleague Hulusi Akar on Thursday that Germany would be more involved in securing the NATO flank in the Black Sea region and at the same time encouraged the Turkish government to play an important role in Afghanistan - for example, the continued operation of the Airport in Kabul.

“We agreed that in a first step, above all, the diplomatic missions must be retained.

But this requires a safe infrastructure at the airport and a safe medical infrastructure, ”said Kramp-Karrenbauer.

“I am grateful that Turkey is ready to play an essential role here.

But we also agreed that it cannot be Turkey's sole task.

And that therefore support from the alliance and from the partners is also required. "

NATO withdrawal leads to logistical problems

Turkey is currently securing the Afghan capital's international airport.

If an international presence is to continue in the country after the withdrawal of the NATO mission “Resolute Support”, there must be a flight connection abroad for the foreign embassies.

Recently, however, threats by the Taliban against Turkey have been loud.

According to a report by the state news agency Anadolu, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Thursday that Turkey could take on “much more responsibility” there after the US decision to withdraw from Afghanistan.

At the beginning of the week, after his meeting with US President Joe Biden on the sidelines of the NATO summit, he said that Turkey needed "diplomatic, logistical and financial support" from the US if it were to take over supervision of the international airport after the departure date .

He also said Hungary and Pakistan are desirable partners in Afghanistan after 9/11.

It stands to reason, however, that Germany should also participate - at least financially - in such a task.

Turkey is a difficult partner for Germany

After the meeting with Kramp-Karrenbauer, Akar spoke of a sincere exchange of views in an atmosphere of mutual understanding.

“Germany is our friend, our partner,” said Akar - and then quickly addressed the fundamental dispute over how to deal with the Kurdish PKK (“fight against terror down to the last terrorist”) and Germany's ever less willingness to deliver arms to Turkey.

"We also said that these restrictions had to be lifted," he said.

Akar also recalled the important role Turkey plays in caring for four million refugees in its own country and five million displaced people in Syria.

If needs remain unfulfilled there, this could become a danger for Turkey and Europe.

© dpa-infocom, dpa: 210617-99-25333 / 6

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Arrival in Ankara: Federal Defense Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer gets out of the government plane.

© Kay Nietfeld