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Monday, November 9, 2020
When the federal government granted permits for the construction and export of six ultra-modern submarines for Turkey, the relationship between Berlin and Ankara was still relaxed. Meanwhile, a lot has changed, and Greece, a partner of the EU, feels threatened by German exports.
Since 2002, the German government has approved arms exports to Turkey worth 522 million euros, which can be used for the construction, armament or technical equipment of warships. That stems from a response from the Federal Ministry of Economy to a request from left-wing foreign policy expert Sevim Dagdelen. According to the information, without a doubt, goods can be transferred to submarines for 128.8 million euros.
These arms deliveries are now highly controversial due to the conflict between NATO partners Greece and Turkey over natural gas reserves in the eastern Mediterranean. So far, the federal government has only prevented the export to Turkey of weapons that could be used in the Syrian war. Goods deliveries for the “maritime sector” are still approved. The government of EU partner Greece is now asking Germany to extend the export ban to warships.
“Greece is threatened by German weapons in the hands of Turkey,” Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias said in an interview with “Welt am Sonntag.” “Don’t give Turkey something that could destabilize the entire eastern Mediterranean.” This refers in particular to the construction of six class 214 submarines, which are being assembled in Turkey with the largest participation from Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems. The federal government had already approved the delivery of components in 2009 and secured the export with a guarantee called Hermes of 2.49 billion euros. At that time, relations between the two countries were much more relaxed.
Now the submarine project is coming under increasing criticism due to the escalating conflict in the Mediterranean. Greece accuses NATO partner Turkey of illegally searching for natural gas deposits on the Greek islands. The Ankara government rejects the accusations, arguing that the waters belong to the Turkish continental shelf. Germany has so far tried in vain to mediate the conflict.
Arms exports to Turkey “unbearable”
Dagdelen called the arms exports to Turkey “unbearable”. “Anyone like Chancellor Merkel and Foreign Minister Maas who continues to hand over arms to Turkey should no longer use the word European solidarity,” he said.
The federal government is now reluctant to approve new arms deals with Turkey. In terms of actual exports of weapons of war based on previous permits, Turkey topped the list of the most important recipient countries in the last two years, with a total volume of over 500 million euros. The Federal Government emphasizes that in the end they were goods for the “maritime sector.”
