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The list of problems between the EU and Turkey is long. Concerns about Ankara have gone so far that the Brussels diplomatic chief is calling for a complete rethinking of EU policy towards Turkey.
By Helga Schmidt, ARD-Studio Brussels
Heads of state and government like to discuss the most difficult issues at the summit over dinner. This time it’s about the strained relationship with Turkey. The dispute over gas reserves in the Mediterranean tops the list of problems. But the list is long. Too many fires in the region, set too often by Turkish President Erdogan, which is increasingly perceived as a threat by many EU governments.
The European Union must completely rethink its policy towards Turkey, urges EU diplomatic chief Josip Borrell:
“We are clear on the possible consequences if there is no progress with Turkey. At the summit we have to redefine our relationship with Turkey. We are now at a turning point in history.”
Erdogan increasingly determines EU foreign policy
The Turkish president is increasingly setting the EU’s foreign policy agenda. In Libya he fights for influence and sends mercenaries and weapons for it, repeatedly threatening to revoke the refugee pact.
Even in the renewed conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia, Europeans fear that Ankara may intervene. The strongest criticism comes from Greece: before the summit, European Greek minister Varvitsiotis warned during a visit to Brussels against underestimating Erdogan’s intentions.
“Turkey uses the military without hesitation to implement its foreign policy objectives. Erdogan has proven it time and again, in Syria, Iraq and Libya. Without considering international agreements.”
Hopes of progress at the summit
One wants to advance tonight at the summit dinner first in the dispute over gas reserves. The courses are located around the Greek islands in the eastern Mediterranean, but also off the Turkish coast. An escalation could be avoided, now the Chancellor wants to bring both parties, Greece and Turkey, back to the negotiating table.
“I think all of us as EU members have the task of course to take the rights of our Greek friends seriously, where they are right. However, I have always advocated for no further escalation and that is just possible by talking to both sides over and over again. “
Offering a dialogue, but also exerting pressure if necessary, this is how German foreign policy envisions a new strategy for Turkey. You want to discuss what that would look like over dinner. Whether that succeeds will depend on the head of government, who represents one of the EU’s smallest countries at the table: the Republic of Cyprus calls for harsh punitive measures against Turkey, including economic sanctions.
Nobody else in the EU wants that. That is why Cyprus has been blocking planned sanctions against Belarus, specifically against the ruler Lukashenko’s aides, for weeks. EU diplomats now find it shameful that the sanctions have not yet been implemented. However, according to diplomats, it is not easy to convince EU member Cyprus to follow the path of the other 26 members.
