State visit to Turkey

Topic: Report

28 April 2014

From 26 to 29 April Federal President Joachim Gauck and his partner Daniela Schadt went on a state visit to the Republic of Turkey. The main focus of the visit was on the rule of law and fundamental freedoms as well as the dynamic way Turkish society is changing. The Federal President also payed tribute to Turkey’s readiness to shelter Syrian refugees. His visit to Turkey was Gauck’s first opportunity to meet President Gül in an official capacity.

Federal President Joachim Gauck is received by President Gül in Ankara with military honours

From 26 to 29 April Federal President Joachim Gauck and his partner Daniela Schadt went on a state visit to the Republic of Turkey. The main focus of the visit was on the rule of law and fundamental freedoms as well as the dynamic way Turkish society is changing. The Federal President also payed tribute to Turkey’s readiness to shelter Syrian refugees.

On 27 April Gauck visited a camp for Syrian refugees in Kahramanmaraş as well as the Bundeswehr unit serving in the region. On 28 April he was received by President Gül in Ankara with military honours. Various political talks with President Gül and Prime Minister Erdoğan were scheduled. At Ankara’s Middle East Technical University (METU) Gauck gave a speech. On 29 April Presidents Gauck and Gül have jointly inaugurated the German-Turkish University in Istanbul. Gauck also met with representatives of Turkish civil society.

His visit to Turkey was Gauck’s first opportunity to meet President Gül in an official capacity. President Gül was last in Germany on a state visit in September 2011.