[ad_1]
After months of silence, can the EU still find answers and a unified position on foreign policy?
A special two-day summit focused on foreign policy began in Brussels in the afternoon. Due to the crown quarantine of Council President Charles Michel, the summit was postponed for a week.
On the agenda are the relationship with China, the assessment of the poison attack on Putin critic Navalny and the overdue decision on whether the EU sanctions will come into effect after the fraudulent elections in Belarus and the brutal actions of dictator Alexander Lukashenko against popular protest. . All 27 member states must agree to this, Cyprus has so far refused.
The latest developments on Brexit – the EU Commission launched legal action against London on Thursday – will also play a role.
But the most important issue is: The EU’s relationship with Turkey. And with this issue it cracks.
“data-zoom-src =” https://bilder.bild.de/fotos/bundeskanzlerin-angela-merkel-cdu-bei-ihrer-ankunft-in-bruessel-201542010-73199828/Bild/8.bild.jpg ” /> Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) on arrival in BrusselsPhoto: PISCINA / Reuters
Merkel’s goal: “To develop a constructive relationship”
Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU), who will play a moderating role during the presidency of the German Council, announced upon arrival that she wanted to mediate.
“We are committed to resolving tensions peacefully,” Merkel said, alluding to the gas dispute in the eastern Mediterranean, Ankara’s role in Syria and the renewed conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia.
Despite all the difficulties, there is “great interest from the European Union in developing a really constructive relationship with Turkey”. Merkel: “We are partners in NATO.” Y: One depends on each other because of the many refugees that Turkey has hosted.
Angela Merkel, of all people, who was the target of Erdogan’s evil Nazi comparisons three years ago, now opposes the demands of the hardliners to react with severe sanctions to Erdogan’s provocations and threats, or even as requested by the European politician Manfred Weber (CSU). draw a line in the currently suspended EU accession negotiations.
Chancellor of Austria Bottom line: Turkey wants to blackmail the EU
Controversial: When he arrived in Brussels, Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Sebastian Kurz (ÖVP), who repeatedly and recently took positions opposed to the federal government on the issue of the Moria refugees, supported both demands.
Turkey’s threats to allow more refugees to enter the EU are no longer tolerable. “We have seen time and again that Turkey used migrants as a weapon against Europe and tried to blackmail the European Union. That’s not acceptable either, ”Kurz said.
“data-zoom-src =” https://bilder.bild.de/photos/oesterreichs-kanzler-sebastian-kurz-trifft-beim-eu-gipfel-ein-201542157-73199830/Bild/8.bild.jpg ” /> Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz arrives at the EU summitPhoto: Aris Oikonomou / dpa