From Bilateral Rapprochement to a Shared Security Architecture
On 18 May 2026, the Strategic Dialogue Mechanism between Germany and Turkey is scheduled to be resumed. Since Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s inaugural visit to Ankara in late October 2025, German–Turkish relations have taken on renewed momentum. Both countries currently see tangible opportunities to achieve concrete progress in their bilateral cooperation. From a German perspective, Turkey has increasingly come into focus as a strategic security partner. The upcoming NATO Summit in Ankara in July 2026 offers a valuable opportunity to further strengthen cooperation in the field of defence. Additional substantive impulses may also emerge from the forthcoming 18th Istanbul Security Conference®.
