German Chancellor Angela Merkel finally paid a visit to Turkey on Oct. 18, and it was very productive both for Turkish-German and Turkish-EU relations. Merkel was present in Istanbul not only as the German chancellor, but also on behalf of all the EU leaders who gathered on Oct. 15.

Merkel had two crucial meetings with Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan separately. These meetings hint at the start of a new and constructive dialogue Turkey will have with Germany and the EU. The steps planned to be jointly taken at this visit allow both sides a chance for the resolution of the refugee issue and Turkey's EU membership. Thanks to this visit, the EU public came to understand that it is not possible to resolve the Syrian refugee issue only by funding a country. Before this visit, the EU promised to allocate 1 billion euros to Turkey to contribute to the solution of the problem. However, Turkey has so far spent 7 billion euros for Syrian refugees without receiving any support or funding from any foreign source.

The EU should of course financially support Turkey in the right way regarding its efforts for refugees. This funding can be 3 billion euros or more. It should be kept in mind that even if the EU allocates 10 billion euros to Turkey, refugees will flee Syria and strive to reach EU countries through Turkey as long as Syrian leader Bashar Assad preserves his seat and Russian warplanes continue backing up Assad by striking Syria's democratic opponents and the Free Syrian Army (FSA).

The factors aggravating the refugee problem are not only Assad and Russia. Also, the outlawed PKK based in Turkey and its Syrian wing, the Democratic Union Party (PYD) and its armed People's Protection Units (YPG), are trying to seize control in northern Syria. And the U.S. is wrongfully providing aid to the PYD, just as it supported Taliban in Afghanistan against the Soviet Union, which was another mistake. This factor also makes Syrians leave their homeland. The PYD and YPG are obliging people to leave their homes by bombing houses in numerous villages in Syria. This terrorist organization, which aims to ensure the PYD's control in northern Syria by attacking Turkmens and making them escape the region, is responsible for the constantly growing number of refugees who take to the road.

In this sense, Merkel's visit to Turkey is important. The European public must be aware of what is going on and should not be deceived any longer.

For instance, some groups in the European Parliament have been aspiring to provide financial assistance to the PYD and PKK on the pretext of rebuilding Kobani for a while. If this financial assistance claiming to rebuild Kobani is scrutinized, it can be possible to see how this project is being manipulated by terrorist groups.

Likewise, it would be useful to overtly mention that some companies who always win EU contracts under the name of clearing mines have close affiliations with the PKK and the PYD. The EU and European Parliament must be alert in this regard and must not allow the institutions to be exploited by terrorist organizations.

EU countries and the European Commission, which are expecting positive results from Merkel's time in Turkey, have to be objective regarding Turkey and must not be deceived by some circles having issues with the country if they aim for constructive cooperation on the refugee issue. Following Merkel's Istanbul visit, this year's Turkey Progress Report by the European Commission will be the first test. If it presents a draft of this report to the public, it will have sabotaged Merkel's efforts concerning cooperation with Turkey.

Opening some chapters for EU membership, ending the visa requirement in 2016 as targeted, and Turkey's EU membership were also among the negotiation topics in her meetings in Istanbul. Merkel particularly emphasized the point that the promises made to Turkey must be upheld.

The Turkish public is now ready to follow future steps.

If the EU continues to defame or stall off Turkey, it will be the failing party regarding the refugee issue.

Turkey cannot do much about the EU if the EU does not keep its promises. In this way, neither Turkish soldiers nor Turkish police can stop thousands of refugees willing to cross the border. The Turkish public will be the first objector if Turkish military or police officers try to keep Syrian refugees away from the EU by resorting to violence, especially if the EU, which does not keep its promises given to Turkey, is in question.

During the individual meetings they had with Merkel, Davutoğlu and Erdoğan clearly articulated their determination regarding Turkey's stance in the face of the EU, the country's rightful expectations and the realization of determined goals.

Merkel said she understood Turkey very well in this sense.

Work groups will now be formed and required preparations will be conducted about the negotiated subject matters, arranged goals and the implementations planned to be realized.

Merkel issued a press statement after her meeting with Erdoğan. She said they agreed on the requirement that Turkey and the EU should have more intense cooperation, pointing out that her visit was meant not only for close cooperation with Turkey and Germany, but also indicated cooperation between Turkey and the EU.

We will see what kind of a step the European Commission will take regarding this year's Turkey Progress Report. I would like to remind you that Turkey did not even accept receiving the latest reports. They were thrown in the trash. Hopefully, this time the EU can present some objective analyses without the influence of some marginal groups against Turkey. Objective analyses will above all favor themselves before Turkey. Thousands of Syrian refugees waiting at border gates are ready to flood into EU countries at any moment.