Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel arrived in Ankara with an official visit, Anadolu news agency reported. During the visit, Merkel will meet with President Abdullah Gul and discuss regional cooperation and Turkey's joining the EU, as well as the Cyprus problem.
Earlier, Turkish media reported that Merkel intends to insist on giving Turkey a status of a privileged partner with the European Union during a visit to Ankara.
Germany, along with France, has repeatedly opposed the admission of Turkey into the EU, offering it the status of a privileged partner. Ankara stated that it does not accept the option of a privileged partnership as an alternative to integration into the European Union. Negotiations on Turkey's accession to the EU began in 2005.
Turkish newspaper Milliyet wrote last week that the Cyprus issue will have special place in the talks between Merkel and Turkish leadership. She will insist on Turkey's opening the ports in the Republic of Cyprus.