Turkey's Erdoğan, Germany's Merkel hold video call

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and German Chancellor Angela Merkel discussed bilateral ties and regional issues of interest to both countries in a video call on March 5, said an official statement.

Erdoğan stressed the importance of maintaining open communications and dialogue with Merkel, said Turkey's Communications Directorate.

Noting that Turkey is continuing to fight the coronavirus pandemic and initiated a controlled and gradual normalization, Erdoğan said the country's vaccination drive is being carried out swiftly and successfully.

"Against this background, the tourism season looks likely to open in April," he said.

Turkey has pioneered the use of certification standards for travel and tourism facilities to enable safe travel.

Erdoğan also urged the European Union to provide financial and technical support for Syrians who want to voluntarily leave Turkey to return home.

Turkey hosts 4 million Syrian refugees, more than any country in the world.

It has also carried out cross-border operations against terrorists in Syria, in part to create a safe zone and enable the resettlement of Syrians who want to go home.  

Eastern Mediterranean, Libya

On regional developments, Erdoğan said Turkey has been pursuing a constructive approach to problems in the Eastern Mediterranean and Aegean.

Turkey, which has the longest continental coastline in the Eastern Mediterranean, has rejected the expansive maritime boundary claims by Greece and the Greek Cypriot administration, stressing that these claims violate the sovereign rights of Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots.

Turkish leaders have repeatedly stressed that Ankara is in favor of resolving outstanding problems in the...