German FM Westerwelle to discuss bilateral ties, EU in Ankara

German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle arrives in Ankara today for a visit that will focus on Turkish-German relations and Turkey's bid to join the European Union. Westerwelle, accompanied by reporters and senior German business executives, will meet with President Abdullah Gul, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu and Deputy Prime Minister Ali Babacan in Ankara. He will later head to Istanbul, where he will meet with Turkey's chief EU talks negotiator Egemen Bagis and attend business meetings before wrapping up his three-day visit on Friday. While in Ankara, he will also address a brainstorming meeting of Turkish diplomats which started on Monday. Westerwelle's visit is his first since Germany's parliamentary elections in September. The Foreign Ministry said talks with Westerwelle are aimed at finding ways to further expand cooperation with Germany, adding that Turkish officials will convey Ankara's position on ongoing EU accession talks. Notwithstanding strong bilateral cooperation, Turkish-German relations are facing difficulties over Turkey's EU bid. Chancellor Angela Merkel has called for a "privileged partnership" in lieu of full membership. Westerwelle is the leader of junior coalition partner the Free Democratic Party, whose views on Turkish accession are more positive than those of Merkel.