Merkel arrives in Turkey

German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who arrived in Turkey on Sunday upon the invitation of Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan, started her contacts by visiting German soldiers who came to eastern province of Kahramanmaras with Patriot missiles. Accompanied by a large delegation, Merkel firstly arrived in Gaziantep, where she was received by Governor of Gaziantep Erdal Ata, Mayor Asim Guzelbey and Chief of Police Omer Aydın. Afterwards, Merkel proceeded to Kahramanmaras and visited the Gazi Barracks which houses the German soldiers who are in charge of the Patriot air defense systems deployed in Kahramanmaras. On the occasion of Merkel's visit, Defense Minister Ismet Yilmaz also came to Kahramanmaras.