Merkel visits Turkey amid broad disagreements

German Chancellor Angela Merkel flies into Turkey on Monday for a delicate two-day visit against a backdrop of profound differences with its leaders over its limping EU accession bid.
The rift between the two countries has been exposed during the run-up to the visit, on two levels, with arguments about integration of Turks into Germany, as well as Merkel’s opposition to Turkey’s entry to the EU. "This is going to be a difficult visit; some statements may even overshadow bilateral relations," Semih Idiz, a foreign affairs commentator from the Milliyet newspaper told AFPIn remarks published in Turkish newspapers last Wednesday, Merkel said she would insist on a "privileged partnership" for Turkey rather than EU membership, during her visit.
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