Erdogan to meet with German Chancellor Schroeder

ANKARA (AA) – Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has left for Germany to attend inauguration of Turkish-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and to hold a series of meetings.

State Minister Kursad Tuzmen, Industry and Trade Minister Ali Coskun, some deputies and businessmen are accompanying Prime Minister Erdogan.

Holding a press conference at Ankara’s Esenboga Airport prior to his departure, Prime Minister Erdogan said on Monday that Turkish-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry would play an important role in efforts to further improve economic and commercial relations between Turkey and Germany.

Noting that he was scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting with German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, Prime Minister Erdogan told reporters that the bilateral relations between Turkey and Germany would be high on agenda of the meeting.

Erdogan added that Turkey’s European Union (EU) membership process and the Cyprus issue would also be discussed.

Prime Minister Erdogan is expected to return to Turkey later on Tuesday.