Harsh words between Germany and Turkey

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Harsh words between Germany and Turkey

Catherine Hardy

 

 

ANKARA: -- There has been a testy exchange of views between the foreign ministers of Germany and Turkey.

 

Relations between Ankara and Brussels have been particularly strained since a failed Turkish coup in July.

 

European leaders worry that Ankara is using the attempted putsch as a pretext to crack down on dissent.

Turkey, meanwhile, has been angered by what it sees as a lack of solidarity.

 

What did Germany say?

 

Speaking at a joint press conference in Ankara, Germany’s Foreign Minister voiced concern about the mass arrests and treatment of the media since July’s attempted coup in Turkey.

 

Frank-Walter Steinmeier said he was against the EU breaking off accession talks with Turkey, a crucial partner for the bloc in stemming the influx of migrants from the Middle East.

 

He also added that Germany supports its NATO partner in fighting militant threats.

 

What did Ankara say?
 

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu says Turkey is “fed up” with the condescending attitude of the European Union in talks over its application to join the bloc.

 

His blunt comments reflect growing exasperation in Turkey about EU criticism of its record on human rights.

 

There is also frustration that, 11 years after starting negotiations, Ankara’s prospects of gaining membership look more remote than ever.

 

Cavusoglu added that the Turkish people would decide whether or not to reinstate the death penalty, a decision that could spell the end of Turkey’s accession bid.

 

What happened in July?

 

More than 110,000 people have been sacked or suspended in the crackdown that followed the failed military coup.

 

An estimated 36,000 have been arrested.

 

Media outlets have also been closed down.

 

Critical report
 

The bitter rhetoric from Turkey has increased since the release last week of a highly-critical EU report.

 

It made it clear Ankara’s prospects of joining the 28-member group have become more remote than ever.

 

Turkey’s minister for EU affairs dismissed the report as “far from constructive”, while President Tayyip Erdogan urged the EU to take a final decision on Turkey’s application.

 

What they are saying
 

“I reported the worries that we have about the numerous arrests, mass arrests, and freedom of opinion and freedom of the press,” – Frank-Walter Steinmeier, German foreign minister.

 

“We are truly fed up of these statements degrading Turkey. The criteria are clear but there are double standards and a two-faced approach. This is what we don’t like,” – Mevlut Cavusoglu, Turkish foreign minister.

 

 

-- © Copyright Euronews 2016-11-16

[Credo]

Is there anybody that Turkey does get along with?

[smedly]

1 hour ago, Credo said:

Is there anybody that Turkey does get along with?

Now Russia it seems lol

[maximillian]

2 hours ago, Credo said:

Is there anybody that Turkey does get along with?

 

Take a closer look at NATO and the US.

Turkey out of NATO as long as they don't return to a more democratic approach.

German planes out of Incirlik air base. There are alternatives in Greece or Zyprus.

[Credo]

Let me rephrase that, is there anybody that Turkey gets along with for over 15 minutes?

 

Most countries have a few friends, even NK seems to have a big backer.   Turkey changes alliances quicker than a Saturday night hooker changes knickers.   

[boomerangutang]

Turkey's prez and Fil's Duterte and Trump are like 3 peas in a pod.

[maximillian]

10 minutes ago, boomerangutang said:

Turkey's prez and Fil's Duterte and Trump are like 3 peas in a pod.

 

This time have to agree with you. Seldom enough though.

[bassman]

Turkey is the second largest military in NATO, and has more ground troops than any other NATO member- in theater.

 

Turkey has turned to its Muslim doctrine, instead of its military dominated secular past.  Would not be surprising to see Turkey make a "temporary" land grab in Syria or Iraq on the pretense of halting Kurdish terrorism or protecting their Sunni brothers from Shiite domination.

 

Beginning with George Bush's invasion in Iraq, the total foreign policy failure of Obama, and Europe not being able to beat their selves out of a wet paper bag; the region is now in sorry shape.

 

 

[mercman24]

so what can Turkey bring to the EU table, oh yes counterfeit goods and tourism, well you can strike off the tourism off the menu,  yep another lame duck.

[CharlieK]

Turkey would very much like the EU to support Erdogan's fake coup to legitimize it. The EU need Turkey to stop the influx of migrants from the Middle east. The EU in all their haste to have open borders forgot that they should have secured their outer EU borders. 

 

How long before Turkey allows the influx to continue?

[Baerboxer]

1 hour ago, CharlieK said:

Turkey would very much like the EU to support Erdogan's fake coup to legitimize it. The EU need Turkey to stop the influx of migrants from the Middle east. The EU in all their haste to have open borders forgot that they should have secured their outer EU borders. 

 

How long before Turkey allows the influx to continue?

 

Turkey wants the benefit of EU (and Schengen) benefits. Open movement for its citizens, companies setting up in its low cost economy, and most importantly all those lovely handouts. Turkey won't be a net contributor. 

 

Turkey doesn't like being told what to do or abiding by others standards; and certainly won't want its culture to be diluted in anyway. 

Turkey will be argumentative and won't be bullied by Germany or the EC and that already signals to both that Turkey can't be allowed to join.

 

Turkey joined NATO when it feared to USSR. Useful member for its bases and manpower. That fear has diminished and the spat with Russia seems on the mend. Expect Turkey to try and grab land or at least a significant controlling presence in Iraq and Syria. The EU would never support that. Trump and NATO won't really bother and as long as Russia and China don't object the silly UN Security council won't pass any meaningless resolutions. Just look how long Turkey has occupied parts of Cyprus following its illegal invasion. Sanctions - don't be silly, NATO ally.

The EU need Turkey because its incapable, unwilling and clueless about how to deal with illegal immigrants. And Erdogan has and will exploit that to the full.

 

[d123]

3 hours ago, mercman24 said:

so what can Turkey bring to the EU table, oh yes counterfeit goods and tourism, well you can strike off the tourism off the menu,  yep another lame duck.

Raki?

[Chicog]

3 hours ago, mercman24 said:

so what can Turkey bring to the EU table, oh yes counterfeit goods and tourism, well you can strike off the tourism off the menu,  yep another lame duck.

 

You forgot petty crime, organised crime, illegal immigrants and kebabs.

[NumbNut]

24 minutes ago, Chicog said:

 

You forgot petty crime, organised crime, illegal immigrants and kebabs.

 

Mmmm, kebabs...

 

 

Don't look so good but taste great. Then again, EVERYTHING tastes great at 3:00am eh

[DerringDo]

A nice dollop of yoghurt and chilli sauce.

 

Miss that artery clogging drunk night out food?

[ballpoint]

7 hours ago, mercman24 said:

so what can Turkey bring to the EU table, oh yes counterfeit goods and tourism, well you can strike off the tourism off the menu,  yep another lame duck.

Give it another month and I can see Turkey being very popular at the EU table.

[coma]

The EU is a dead duck floating in the water. And Turkey is looking to expand itself. Oil and water really.

[Usernames]

Hey, Germany!  Here come another two million "refugees."

[JemJem]

No concrete response/measure will come from Germany, I think. In fact, I am pretty sure about this. The German government (and some other EU ones) is being held hostage by Erdogan's 'refugee card'. This situation is unlikely to change in the near future.

In the meantime, many politicians, writers, academicians, civil servants and journalists are languishing in Turkish prisons. Many more have lost their jobs or are at a big risk of that. Many have probably gone into exile in other countries.

And, possibly, even worse times are approaching for Turkey (at least, for anti-AKP people). Will the new US administration impose sanctions on the Islamofascist AKP government ? We'll wait and see. Maybe they will. As for EU, I have almost no hope that sanctions will be even considered by EU against AKP.