Audience in Ankara

North Rhine-Westphalia Premier Hendrik Wüst met Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the presidential palace in Ankara on Monday afternoon. The audience lasted 50 minutes, exceeding the initially planned schedule, and represented the first official visit to Turkey by a head of government from Germany's most populous federal state. Wüst sat alongside the Turkish president on the second floor of the complex beneath the presidential seal of 16 stars. During the conversation, Erdogan expressed close interest in German domestic politics, the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, and recent soccer developments. Following the exchange, Wüst commented on the Turkish leader's focus on recent political developments in Germany.

“He was also very interested in my assessment of the recent election results. We had a very intensive exchange about them.”

Economic and defense discussions

The discussions addressed trade relations, European Union ties, and administrative hurdles for Turkish businesses. Wüst urged the modernization of the EU-Turkey customs union and called for faster processing times for commercial visas. Prior to departure, he outlined these proposals in interviews with the Turkish news outlets Hurriyet and Anadolu. Those EU-level initiatives had previously stalled following European concerns regarding Turkish rule of law. According to the state chancellery in Düsseldorf, Turkey is gaining importance as a production base and supply chain diversification hub for companies based in North Rhine-Westphalia. Both leaders also examined possibilities for defense sector cooperation between Turkey, a NATO member, and defense manufacturing firms located in North Rhine-Westphalia. The state government noted its concern regarding domestic developments in Turkey while maintaining a commitment to direct dialogue.

Delegation and anniversary context

The three-day visit marks the 65th anniversary of the German-Turkish recruitment agreement that brought Turkish workers to Germany. North Rhine-Westphalia is home to approximately one million residents of Turkish descent. Before meeting Erdogan, Wüst participated in a wreath-laying ceremony in Ankara accompanied by three Turkish soldiers. The state premier traveled on a commercial SunExpress flight departing Düsseldorf on Monday morning alongside a 60-member delegation. The delegation included around 30 journalists as well as corporate leaders such as Henkel CEO Carsten Knobel and Rewe Group CEO Lionel Souque. Wüst emphasized the long-standing demographic and civic ties connecting North Rhine-Westphalia with Turkey.

“A special relationship connects North Rhine-Westphalia and Turkey. Around one million people with roots in Turkey live among us, many for decades and across several generations.”

Berlin political crosswinds

The official mission in Ankara and Istanbul coincides with internal discussions within the Christian Democratic Union regarding federal leadership. Following disappointing CDU results in Berlin and severe losses in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and Saxony-Anhalt, federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz has faced heightened scrutiny. Media commentators and party figures have frequently named Wüst, alongside Bavarian Premier Markus Söder, as a potential successor to Merz. Wüst has publicly dismissed suggestions of moving to Berlin, pointing to his upcoming state election campaign in North Rhine-Westphalia scheduled for April next year. After concluding his meetings in Ankara, Wüst continues the official itinerary with scheduled appointments in Istanbul.