Upon completing her contacts in capital Ankara, Angela Merkel passed to Istanbul.

Merkel's first stop was Hagia Sophia Museum.

Moving on to Sultanahemt Mosque (Blue Mosque) on foot together with Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu, German Chancellor later attended a panel held in German Lycee.

Merkel will also pay visits to German Church and German Consulate respectively. During her visit to latter, Merkel and Turkish Prime Minister Erdoğan will attend a concert given for 2010 Culture of Capitals Istanbul and Essien.

The duo will later participate in Turko-German business forum. "Turkey can open schools in Germany"

On Monday's contacts, Erdogan-Merkel meeting dissolved dispute over opening Turkish-language schools in Germany.

Even though German Chancellor Angela Merkel, tried to win heart of Turkey with a dove symbolizing peace, her comments did not satisfy Ankara where atmosphere was tensed just before her arrival in the country.

German Prime Minister used the expression "open-ended negotiations", instead of "privileged partner" and put the "Cyprus Issue" as a condition on Turkey's accession process.

Merkel did open the door for opening of Turkish-language schools in Germany, at the meeting in Ankara.

Angela Merkel evaluated Turkey's efforts to make constitutional amendments as "encouraging for democratization and for the development of a civil society".

Being met by State Minister and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagis at the Ankara Esenboga Airport, Merkel first visited the Mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of modern Turkey and laid a wreath at his memorial.

Merkel wrote on the Mausoleum special guest book "We bow respectfully before the achievement of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. Germany will support Turkey in the path set by Atatürk".

Than, Merkel held a meting with Egemen Bagis.

Merkel extends Erdogan "white peace dove"

Angela Merkel was met by Prime Minister Erdogan with an official ceremony at the prime ministry where she presented Erdoğan a gift, a bibelot depicting a "white peace dove" made by a 9-years old German student Lara.

Lara had also a message for Erdogan. In her message staring with "Merhaba", Lara said, "This dove came to you. It was made by a 9-years old child, called Lara, who lives in Unna city. Dove symbolizes "peace". After you spend some time with "the dove", please send it to another person or institution with this letter to make world peace sustainable. And if it is possible please send us a photo of it together with a mail. By this way, we can follow the "peace path" of the dove. You will be contributing to the world peace by carrying out this act".

Turkish-language school dispute settled at the Erdogan-Merkel meting p>Following the meeting, Prime Minister Erdogan and German Chancellor Angle Merkel made a press conference and gave positive messages.

Merkel told press, "There can be Turkish language speaking schools in Germany".

Prime minster Erdogan said, "We have German language speaking high schools in Turkey. To take such a step will contribute a lot in development of learning and speaking German of both Turkish and German youngsters. I am very glad to hear that Chancellor Merkel said alike steps can be taken in Germany".

Merkel, who was opposing Turkish language speaking schools in her country on the grounds that they will constitute a pretext for not learning German, said that Turkish-origin citizens are enriches us. Prime Minister Erdogan said that they are glad to hear that Merkel will take steps regarding the issue.

Turkey-EU relations

However, when it came to the Turkey-EU relations, Merkel was found out that she just changed not her attitude but concepts she used in the EU accession process of Turkey.

Citing the "pacta sunt servanda" principle, The German Chancellor said we are pursuing accession negotiations but she again referred the newly found term, "open-ended talks".

Merkel said, "The European Union has changed and the rules of the game are not like it were in 60's, Germany defends this open-ended process. But, immediately after, she laid "Cyprus Issue" down as a condition.

Iran sanctions

Over Iran's nuclear program, Merkel told press that they are planning to impose harsher sanctions, "We are running out of time and if a single concrete step would not be taken, we will rule out the sanctions" she added. On the other hand, Erdogan emphasized "democracy" in dealing with Iran's nuclear programme.

Meanwhile, leaders of opposition parties CHP Head Baykal and MHP Leader Bahceli preferred to have a short talk with Merkel at a luncheon given on her honor at German Embassy in Ankara.

President Gül also received Angela Merkel and she was given a diner on her honor by Erdogan.