World Bulletin / News Desk

The German defense minister thanked her Turkish counterpart for Ankara’s support in the deployment of German warplanes at Incirlik airbase.

Turkish Defense Minister Ismet Yilmaz met Ursula Von Der Leyen at Adana Incirlik Base Command.

"We are shoulder to shoulder in counter-terrorism. That’s why our warplanes and tanker aircraft are here at Incirlik airbase. We know the refugees in Europe fled from terrorism," said Von Der Leyen, speaking at a joint press conference.

She added that Germany had accepted more than 1 million refugees and Turkey gained their appreciation by accepting more than 2 million.

Yilmaz added: “As a member of the international coalition against ISIL terrorist group, Turkey has been sharing its facilities and capabilities with other member countries. Sharing Incirlik Base with the allied countries needs to be evaluated within this framework.”

“The recent terrorist attack in Istanbul’s Sultanahmet square is a sign that international counter-terrorism cooperation is necessary,” added Yilmaz, referring to the suicide bombing at Sultanahmet Square on Jan. 12 that killed 10 people and wounded 15 others.

Turkey-Germany high-level cooperation council will convene with several ministers from both countries on Friday in German’s capital Berlin.

"Turkey and Germany will discuss the refugee crises, protection of those people and providing for them so that they return to their homelands in the future,” said Von Der Leyen. “Counter-terrorism will also be on the agenda."