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Original title: Erdogan criticized Macron and called for a boycott of French products, with strong opposition from European politicians. Source: World Wide Web
Based on reports from Reuters, Associated Press and Agence France-Presse, Turkish President Erdogan questioned the mental health of French President Macron and called on the public to boycott French products. On Tuesday, France encouraged EU allies to take action against Turkey. Earlier that day, the European Commission warned that given Erdogan’s comments, Turkey’s accession to the European Union is further away than ever.
French President Macron
French Trade Minister Franckist told MPs: “France is united and Europe is united. At the next European Council, Europe will have to make a decision to strengthen the balance of power with Turkey in order to better defend itself.” Own interests and European values ”. But it did not specify what measures will be taken.
Earlier Tuesday, the European Commission warned that Erdogan’s comments made Turkey’s efforts to join the European Union even more remote. A spokesman said: “Calls to boycott the products of any member state go against the spirit of (EU) obligations, and this will alienate Turkey from the EU.”
Some French products have been removed from supermarket shelves in various Middle Eastern countries, including Qatar and Kuwait. Rist told reporters on Monday that the French government has no plans to conduct a reciprocal boycott of Turkish products.
French economist Stephanie Willers said in an interview with RTL that the boycott could have less of an impact on French exports, which is much more damaging than the US tariffs imposed on French wine last year. Villes said: “If there is an intention to damage the French economy, then all French products will be boycotted.” He also noted that the most lucrative aerospace and luxury goods industries have not been affected.
Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte declared that the Netherlands and France stand together and “support freedom of expression and oppose extremism and radicalism.”
German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas described Erdogan’s insult to Macron as “a new low point”, adding that Germany “supports our French friends.”
Turkish President Erdogan and French President Macron
On Monday night, Italian Prime Minister Conte joined European criticism of Erdogan’s comments. He wrote on Twitter: “President Erdogan’s comments to President Macron are unacceptable. Personal abuse will not help the EU hope to achieve a positive agenda with Turkey, but it will push the solution aside. In a tweet written in French, Conte expressed his “total solidarity” with Macron.
Greek President Katerina Sakaelaroplu said that Erdogan’s statements “inciting religious fanaticism and intolerance in the name of a clash of civilizations are intolerable.”
A Security Council statement said that at a summit earlier this month, EU member states agreed to review Turkey’s actions in December and threatened to impose sanctions on Erdogan’s “provocation” if they continue.
EU spokesman Peter Stano said on Monday that he did not rule out the possibility of an emergency meeting of EU ministers shortly after Erdogan’s latest remarks.
“Obviously, we expect the Turkish side to make changes in its actions and statements,” Stano told a news conference. He said there will be many discussions, “we will see if we continue to wait or act earlier.
In his speech on Monday, Erdogan announced that European leaders must end Macron’s so-called “anti-Islamic” agenda. “I hereby appeal to all my citizens never to buy French products.”
Turkish President Erdogan
Turkey and France are members of the NATO military alliance, but they have differences on issues such as Syria and Libya, maritime jurisdiction in the eastern Mediterranean and the conflict in the Naqqa region. According to statistics from the Turkish Statistical Agency, France is Turkey’s 10th source of imports and Turkey’s 7th export market.
