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Europeans are amazed to note that their relationship with Ankara is not developing, writes Markus Bernath in the Austrian newspaper Der Standard.
"Europeans are confused, and they see that relations with Ankara are not developing, but are moving in the opposite direction again," the publication stresses. There has been no effect of the political easing of tension after the release of some German citizens under investigation in Turkey over the past months. Afrin, Greece and Cyprus, the decline of the rule of law in Turkey and the situation with the media in the country - these issues currently make it difficult to normalize relations with Erdogan, Der Standard says.
According to the author of the article, Europe faced a sturdy, clearly aware of its own interests Turkish leader. This is normal, Bernath emphasizes: "International politics is not a practical yoga exercise." However, the expansionism of Erdogan inside and outside the country threatens Europe, and this is already a problem, the journalist asserts.
Turkey, led by Erdogan, has already "put one leg out of NATO," Der Standard writes. More even, Turkey makes its alliance with another "authoritarian" managed state – Russia, which is looks completely unpredictable for Europe. What else would Erdogan, with the approval of Vladimir Putin, do in Syria and Iraq? How far is the president of Turkey ready to go into a quarrel with NATO Greece? Will Erdogan send his fleet against the drilling vessel of the American concern Exxon near Cyprus, after he successfully blocked the activities of the Italian company Eni?
"For Europe, Turkey is only a conditionally constructive partner," the author of the article asserts. Ankara blocks the flow of refugees to the EU and helps in the fight against terrorism, which is a lot. On the other hand, it is not enough for the relations that would be directed to further development, says Markus Bernath. For Ankara, two issues are now important: the expansion of the customs union and the abolition of the visa regime and none of these provisions now find support in the EU – probably because of Erdogan himself, concludes Der Standard’s journalist.
source: derstandard.at
"Europeans are confused, and they see that relations with Ankara are not developing, but are moving in the opposite direction again," the publication stresses. There has been no effect of the political easing of tension after the release of some German citizens under investigation in Turkey over the past months. Afrin, Greece and Cyprus, the decline of the rule of law in Turkey and the situation with the media in the country - these issues currently make it difficult to normalize relations with Erdogan, Der Standard says.
According to the author of the article, Europe faced a sturdy, clearly aware of its own interests Turkish leader. This is normal, Bernath emphasizes: "International politics is not a practical yoga exercise." However, the expansionism of Erdogan inside and outside the country threatens Europe, and this is already a problem, the journalist asserts.
Turkey, led by Erdogan, has already "put one leg out of NATO," Der Standard writes. More even, Turkey makes its alliance with another "authoritarian" managed state – Russia, which is looks completely unpredictable for Europe. What else would Erdogan, with the approval of Vladimir Putin, do in Syria and Iraq? How far is the president of Turkey ready to go into a quarrel with NATO Greece? Will Erdogan send his fleet against the drilling vessel of the American concern Exxon near Cyprus, after he successfully blocked the activities of the Italian company Eni?
"For Europe, Turkey is only a conditionally constructive partner," the author of the article asserts. Ankara blocks the flow of refugees to the EU and helps in the fight against terrorism, which is a lot. On the other hand, it is not enough for the relations that would be directed to further development, says Markus Bernath. For Ankara, two issues are now important: the expansion of the customs union and the abolition of the visa regime and none of these provisions now find support in the EU – probably because of Erdogan himself, concludes Der Standard’s journalist.
source: derstandard.at
