German President Steinmeier arrives in Istanbul
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has arrived in Istanbul, the first stop of his three-day visit to Turkey.
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Steinmeier and his accompanying delegation landed at Istanbul Airport at 11:58.
The German President was welcomed at Istanbul Airport by Istanbul Governor Davut Gül, German Ambassador to Ankara Jürgen Schulz, Turkish Ambassador to Berlin Ahmet Başar Şen, and other officials.
Steinmeier will visit Istanbul, Gaziantep, and Ankara during this first visit to Turkey, which marks the 100th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
President Steinmeier is expected to visit the Istanbul Sirkeci Train Station, from where thousands of Turkish guest workers departed for Germany by train, meet with individuals who have experienced the Turkish-German migration process, and discuss economic relations between the two countries with representatives of German companies during a boat tour.
Steinmeier is also scheduled to meet with representatives from the business, science, art, literature, and sports communities, as well as non-governmental organizations.
On the second day of his trip, Steinmeier will visit a shelter for earthquake survivors in Gaziantep and a school whose construction was supported by Germany, where he is expected to participate in April 23 celebrations.
Steinmeier is expected to meet with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in Ankara on April 24. Also planned to visit Ankara University, Steinmeier will additionally pay a visit to Anıtkabir and lay a wreath at Atatürk's mausoleum.