German Chancellor Angela Merkel stressed the importance of freedom of opinion in talks with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan today. She said this during a visit meant to help improve frayed ties between the two NATO allies. <br/>'<br/>In her first trip to Ankara since a failed military coup in Turkey last July, Merkel, said she had agreed with Erdogan on the need for closer cooperation in the fight against terrorism, including the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK).<br/>'<br/>Germany and Turkey have been at odds over Ankara's crackdown on dissidents since the abortive July 15 coup, as well as its allegations – rejected by Berlin – that Germany is harbouring Kurdish and <br/>far-leftist militants.''<br/>'<br/>Merkel later met Prime Minister Binali Yildirim and said the two countries could do more together to fight the PKK, considered a terrorist organisation by Turkey, the European Union and the United States. Turkey wants European countries to do more to root out PKK members there.<br/>'''<br/>