As the world braces for major military action to take place in the last Syrian rebel stronghold of Idlib, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas’ visit to Ankara on Sept. 5 is set to bring forth some urgent issues.

The meeting between the two states, taking place during a “de-icing” period overcoming sour relations, is expected to cover a number of topics, including detained German citizens in Turkey and the troubles in the Turkish economy. But the most serious and time-sensitive concern for both countries at this time lies abroad.

"We will do everything to avoid a humanitarian catastrophe in Idlib,” Maas told reporters in Berlin on Sept. 3 amid reports that the regime in Damascus is preparing for a major Moscow-backed military offensive against Syrian rebel concentrations south of the Turkish border. On Sept. 4, Russia announced that it had begun striking Idlib, after several weeks of a pause, in a bid to support its longtime ally.

“It will be a highly important topic of my visit to Turkey on Wednesday and Thursday this week,” Maas said ahead of his meeting with his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu.