Kilicdaroglu meets with SPD co-chair Klingbeil in quake hit city

Kilicdaroglu meets with SPD co-chair Klingbeil in quake hit city
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SPD co-chair Lars Klingbeil has said that in addition to financial support to be provided by Germany for earthquake relief, German experts may also contribute to reconstruction of cities.

Kemal Kilicdaroglu, the leader of main opposition and the presidential candidate of a six-party opposition bloc in Turkey, met on Tuesday with Lars Klingbeil, the co-chair of the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD), in Turkey's earthquake hit district of Nurdagi.

After the meeting, Kilicdaroglu and Klingbeil made a joint statement for the press.

CHP leader said:

"We are very happy to see our sister party SPD in the earthquake zone. They wanted to see the situation on site. We've given them detailed information on the impact of the disaster. They told us that they will contribute to joint efforts. This is incredibly important for us, particularly their contribution to efforts in Hatay and Istanbul, both in reconstruction and in the preservation of the historic fabric."

Expressing his condolences and on behalf of Germany's Chancellor, Klingbeil said:

"The ties between the two countries are so close that almost every German citizen know someone who has a relative or friend in the earthquake zone (...) So the earthquake in Turkey is not just some figures on fatalities or collapsed buildings for us. This is a disaster that we have felt deeply."

Noting that in addition to financial support to be provided by Germany, experts may also contribute to the reconstruction of cities, he added:

"Particularly for the construction of Hatay, and for preparing and protecting Istanbul against a possible earthquake. We've discussed these issues here, and will continue to discuss them especially with Germany's minister of housing, urban Development and construction, Klara Geywitz. We, as the government of Germany, wish to provide support for Turkey in this matter."