Erdogan warns Germany that the Israeli-Iranian war could trigger migration to Europe

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has cautioned that escalating conflict between Israel and Iran may lead to a spike in migration affecting both Europe and the wider region.
'The spiral of violence triggered by Israel's attacks could harm the region and Europe in terms of migration and the possibility of nuclear leakage,' Erdogan said, according to a statement from his office.
The remarks came during a phone call with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, where Erdogan expressed concern over the broader fallout of the conflict.

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Middle East Eye

2 hours ago

• Middle East Eye

Armenia's Pashinyan makes history with first official visit to Turkey

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan made history on Friday by becoming the country's first leader since the Cold War to pay an official visit to Turkey. Pashinyan is meeting Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the Dolmabahce Palace in Istanbul, raising hopes that the two countries may soon normalise relations. Turkey broke off diplomatic ties with Armenia in 1993, following Armenian forces' occupation of Nagorno-Karabakh. While Pashinyan attended Erdogan's presidential inauguration in June 2023 and the two leaders have met at several international summits since then, this marks his first official visit to Turkey. According to a statement from the Turkish presidency, the trip is considered a 'working visit'. Both foreign ministers and special envoys for normalisation are also attending, allowing the delegations to discuss every aspect of the bilateral relationship. A senior Armenian diplomat told Middle East Eye that Erdogan extended the invitation to Pashinyan after a phone call earlier this month in which the Armenian prime minister congratulated the Turkish president on the occasion of Eid al-Adha. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters 'They had a good conversation,' the diplomat said. 'The invitation was later formalised through diplomatic channels.' The diplomat described the visit as historic, crediting the positive momentum to the two leaders' commitment to keeping communication channels open and 'patiently demonstrating leadership'. To prepare for the visit, Deputy Armenian Foreign Minister Vahan Kostanyan travelled to Ankara on Monday to review key issues. Speaking in Prague earlier this week, Pashinyan mentioned the improvement in Turkish-Armenian relations, noting that, unlike three years ago, the two countries can now communicate directly rather than relying on third-party intermediaries. Overcoming historic and regional tensions Tensions between Turkey and Armenia extend beyond the issue of Azerbaijan, a close Turkish ally and arch-rival of Yerevan. After a bloody six-week war in late 2020, Azerbaijan launched a military operation in September 2023 to take back the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh enclave, resulting in a ceasefire agreement. Most ethnic Armenians fled, and Artsakh, the breakaway region, was officially dissolved on 1 January 2024. The tensions are also rooted in the events of 1915, when hundreds of thousands of Armenians died after the Ottoman Empire ordered their deportation from Anatolia. Armenian leaders and much of the international community regard this as genocide and say 1.5 million were killed, while Ankara maintains the deaths occurred amid the chaos of World War I, with losses on both sides. Nonetheless, Pashinyan has recently downplayed this issue, expressing his desire to establish good neighbourly relations with Turkey, end Armenia's isolation and restore commercial and full diplomatic ties. The timing of Pashinyan's visit is also significant, coming amid heightened tensions between Israel and Iran - neighbours to both Turkey and Armenia. 'But this conflict makes dialogue even more pertinent,' the Armenian official said. Turkey's last Armenian village struggles to survive after earthquake Read More » In March, Armenia and Azerbaijan agreed on a draft peace treaty, but Baku has continued to make additional demands and has pressured Ankara not to implement some of the confidence-building measures agreed with Yerevan in 2023. One such measure was the agreement to open the Alican-Margara border crossing to third-country nationals and diplomatic passport holders. Armenia has completed its side of the renovations, but Turkey has yet to take concrete steps to implement the agreement. Meanwhile, Azerbaijan is insisting that Armenia amend its constitution - which currently references Nagorno-Karabakh - before signing a peace agreement. Pashinyan has signaled a willingness to consider constitutional changes, but insists this should not delay the peace process. He has also stated his intention to sign a peace deal with Azerbaijan by the end of the year. Turkish officials told MEE they see Pashinyan as a 'visionary' leader seeking long-term stability for Armenia by resolving longstanding disputes with Turkey and Azerbaijan. Some in Ankara even suggest that Baku should be more receptive to Pashinyan's overtures and avoid maximalist positions, especially given the uncertainty of his political future with general elections looming next year. Pashinyan's visit comes immediately after Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev's trip to Turkey - a timing that has not gone unnoticed. On Thursday, Erdogan and Aliyev inaugurated a permanent housing development called 'Azerbaijan Neighbourhood' in the southern city of Kahramanmaras, built for the victims of the 2023 earthquakes.

Al Etihad

3 hours ago

• Al Etihad

Sheikha Fatima thanks Türkiye for hosting 'Mother of the Nation' exhibition in Ankara

ANKARA (WAM) Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, the Mother of the Nation, Chairwoman of the General Women's Union (GWU), President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, and Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation (FDF), extended thanks and appreciation to the Republic of Türkiye, its government and people, for hosting the 'Mother of the Nation' exhibition in Ankara. Her Highness Sheikha Fatima praised the initiative as a reflection of the deep-rooted fraternal ties between the UAE and Türkiye, nurtured under the leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, President of the Republic of Türkiye. Her Highness emphasised the continuous growth in UAE-Türkiye relations across all fields, bolstered by the shared vision of both nations' leadership and their mutual commitment to strengthening cooperation and friendship. These relations, she noted, are founded on mutual respect, joint interests, and a shared aspiration for a better future. Her Highness Sheikha Fatima also expressed particular gratitude to President Erdoğan for the Turkish Presidency's patronage of the exhibition, commending his enduring support for bilateral ties and initiatives that enhance social and humanitarian collaboration. Her Highness further conveyed special thanks to Emine Erdoğan, the wife of President of Türkiye, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan for her dedication in supporting the exhibition, lauding her distinguished contributions to Turkish society in the cultural, humanitarian, and social spheres, as well as her efforts to promote women's role in sustainable development. Her Highness Sheikha Fatima emphasised that the exhibition serves as an important cultural and social bridge between the two nations. It promotes mutual understanding, knowledge exchange, and cooperation in areas such as women's empowerment, family development, and community welfare. The exhibition, Her Highness added, embodies shared values and a joint commitment to sustainable development on both regional and global levels. The selection of the Nation's Library of the Presidency, as the exhibition venue carries symbolic weight, reflecting the high esteem in which UAE-led initiatives are held in Türkiye and the depth of official and popular relations between the two countries. Organised by the UAE Ministry of Interior, the "Mother of the Nation" exhibition celebrates the inspiring humanitarian and social legacy of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak. It showcases key milestones in her decades of service to the community, presenting her as a national role model whose life continues to inspire generations. The exhibition also highlights the achievements of Emirati women and promotes cultural and intellectual exchange between the Emirati and Turkish peoples.

Middle East Eye

5 hours ago

• Middle East Eye

Erdogan warns Germany that the Israeli-Iranian war could trigger migration to Europe

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has cautioned that escalating conflict between Israel and Iran may lead to a spike in migration affecting both Europe and the wider region. 'The spiral of violence triggered by Israel's attacks could harm the region and Europe in terms of migration and the possibility of nuclear leakage,' Erdogan said, according to a statement from his office. The remarks came during a phone call with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, where Erdogan expressed concern over the broader fallout of the conflict.