Iran and EU main problems on Angela Merkel's difficult visit to Ankara
Istanbul (AsiaNews) – The most difficult visit ever to be undertaken by a German Chancellor in the long history of Turkish-German relations begins today. Collaboration between the two nations began in the Prussian period, when Germany supported the formation of a new Turkish state, something that is often forgotten. Since then it has always maintained special ties with Ankara, which is why Berlin is Turkey’s first commercial and political partner.
A visit preceded and characterized by Angela Merkel’s recent rejection of the full entry of Turkey into the European Union, proposing as an alternative a partnership, or a special agreement between the EU and Turkey. These statements have greatly angered Erdogan, who in his political career has invested heavily in Ankara’s entry into the EU, as his answer to the old establishment and those who doubt his sincerity on democratic principles that characterize a secular parliamentary democracy, as formed by the school of Hatip (Koran).
The agenda of the talks, besides the usual economic and cultural exchanges, will focus on Middle East issues and clearly Iran and therefore on energy supplies for Germany, which is still in great need until it finds a solution in alternative energy.
This visit occurs also at a crucial time for the government of Erdogan, which is attempting to eliminate the old establishment possibly through constitutional reform, ending the 1982 Constitution, created following the coup of General Evren. A reform that Erdogan had promised in 2002 even though at the time he had enough votes to ensure its passage, but one which now seems more difficult because the Constitutional Court (which together with the High Judicial Council is last stronghold of the old establishment against the present Government) with a coup in 2007, raised quorom for changes to three quarters of the votes of the parliament (364 MPs). Erdogan now no longer has the necessary numbers (missing 10 votes) and is thinking of going through the popular vote, inside and outside of Turkey.
This explains his harsh response to Angela Merkel – through the pages of the magazine Der Spiegel, widely republished throughout the German press - with the claim that Turkey is not a country seeking to join the EU, but a State already negotiating for full membership. And, using the language of football, very fashionable in some circles of European politics, he said that when making proposals other than those agreed, it is like moving the goalposts in a game when a penalty kick is about to be taken.
He continued on the Iran issue, which had lately found a champion in Turkey, saying he opposes further sanctions against Tehran over its nuclear program, as facts had yet to be verified. What is needed, said Erdogan, is more time and diplomacy. Anything else is a threat to peace.
And he infuriated Merkel, when referring to the numerous Turkish minority in Germany, he proposed the creation of Turkish schools in Germany. This drew an immediate response from the German leader: If there are problems for citizens of Turkish origins and roots in Germany, "I am their chancellor”.
And to think, it is being ironically commented in Brussels, that when the largest powers in Europe justifies their no to Ankara, they invoked the vetoes of Greece. Since the latter, in 1999, came out in favor of the entrance of Ankara into the EU the real opposition to the entrance of Ankara’s membership of the EU have come to the surface.
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