German Chancellor Scholz meets President Erdogan in Turkey for Mideast crisis, migrantion talks

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz was due to meet Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday to discuss the escalating Middle East crisis and migration.

Scholz arrived in Istanbul on Friday night after a meeting with US President Joe Biden and the leaders of France and Britain in Berlin.

Some western nations are hoping that the killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar by Israel will lead to a ceasefire in Gaza after a year of conflict.

A fierce critic of Israel's Gaza campaign that has been ongoing for over a year, Erdogan has often criticised Western capitals for supporting Israel which he brands a "terror state".

Berlin is a strong supporter of Israel and has defended its right to self-defence, despite criticism for its stance.

Scholz on Friday said he hoped Sinwar's death would pave the way for a ceasefire. Sinwar was considered the architect of the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel which triggered Israel's ruthless military onslaught on the Palestinian territory. 

His foreign minister Hakan Fidan on Friday held talks with Hamas officials in Istanbul and offered "condolences" over Sinwar's death.

They also discussed "the state of recent negotiations for a ceasefire deal allowing the exchange of hostages and prisoners", Fidan's ministry said.

Turkey's relations with Germany - home to Europe's largest Turkish diaspora of some three million people - are sensitive. Berlin has voiced concerns over the state of human rights and democracy under Erdogan especially after a failed 2016 coup.

Migration is expected to figure high on the agenda of the talks between Scholz and Erdogan.

Scholz's government has been under heightened pressure over the issue after a series of crimes carried out by asylum seekers.

Turkey will also expect progress on its plans to buy 40 Eurofighter Typhoons which are built by a four-nation consortium including Germany.

Scholz last visited Turkey in March 2022 a few months after taking office.