German Chancellor Merkel Upbeat After Meeting With Turkish President Erdogan

German Chancellor Angela Merkel meets Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan during the G20 Summit in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, China, September 4, 2016. REUTERS/Jesco Denzel/BPA/Handout via Reuters

Reuters: Germany's Merkel upbeat on improving ties with Erdogan after meeting

German Chancellor Angela Merkel struck an upbeat tone after meeting Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan on the sidelines of the G20 summit, and said she expected progress on two thorny issues that have marred German and European ties with Ankara.

Both Germany and the EU, which depend on Ankara to keep a lid on the movement of migrants to the bloc, are trying to ease tensions with Turkey after criticizing Erdogan's crackdown on opponents following the failed coup in July.

Merkel said she was hopeful that the European Union and Turkey could resolve their differences over visa-free travel for Turks, but an agreement was likely still several weeks away.

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Update #1: Merkel, Erdogan held 'constructive' talks at G20 (DW)
Update #2: President Erdoğan meets Obama, Merkel ahead of the G20 Summit (Daily Sabah)

WNU Editor: German Chancellor Angela Merkel is trying to put a positive spin on an issue that is going to cost her and her party dearly in today's regional elections .... German anti-immigrant party poised for big gains in Merkel's home state (Reuters). What is also not helping her cause are ridiculous statements like this one .... Defiant Merkel says refugees not taking away benefits from Germans (Reuters).