PM: Dont use Turkey’s EU bid for Germany’s domestic affairs

In addition to EU, both prime ministers discussed returning of Kaplan who known as terrorist in Germany trying to collapse Turkish Republic.

German chancellor reiterated his country’s backing to Ankara once more.

About the meeting, Shroder stated that the most important discussion issue was Turkey’s EU membership and added, "Following Turkey’s signing partnership agreement 40 years ago, every German talked possitively about Turkey’s membership, but I said on the issue that Turkey shouldn’t be dissapointed with the result. I can’t tolerate only one thing about it that specially opposition parties shouldn’t take advantage of the subject."
Noting that they had also taken up the Middle East issue, Erdogan said that they had discussed what could be done to eliminate existing difficulties, adding that they could not remain silent against terrorism. He said that they should form an international platform against terrorism and they should establish a joint consciousness against it.

Schroeder said that they had taken up the extradition of Metin Kaplan, the administrator of the Union of Islamic Communities and Societies (ICCB), whose deportation was cancelled by Cologne Administrative Court. He added, "we think what we can do about this issue together with Interior Minister Otto Schily. We think that not extraditing Kaplan cannot be acceptable. We will think about what we can do about it and we will apply to an upper office."

Noting that they also discussed international issues, the condition in Iraq and Afghanistan and Turkey’s membership to the European Union (EU), Schroeder said, "I told Erdogan that we will continue our support. Former governments had always supported Turkey’s membership to EU. We cannot waste these expectations. Turkey’s EU membership is necessary both in geopolitical aspect and in the aspect of Germany’s national interests."