10 July 2009 / THE ANATOLIA NEWS AGENCY, BERLIN
German Foreign Minister Frank Walter Steinmeier, who is running for Chancellor at the elections next September, said Friday that his country had close economic and political ties with Turkey.
Steinmeier told a group of foreign reporters in Berlin that Germany and Turkey decided to hold regular meetings between working groups, in order to enhance the strategic dialogue.
He said cultural exchange between the two countries was also important adding that works for establishment of the Turkish-German University and the German Art Academy was underway. He said important steps would be taken for both in 2009.