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As most of the players on the front line Erdogan set foot on show their attitudes towards Ankara, the arrangement of forces taking place on the geopolitical chessboard with the focus on the next Council of Europe recalls the confrontation of the Cold War.
And if this image is reinforced by Lavrov’s direct support for Ankara, who has said that it is more that unites them than divides them, even though Turkey is a member of NATO, the situation takes on a more topical complexity thanks to Berlin. who is reluctant to side with Emmanuel Macron and seeks to lower the bar on expectations of sanctions against the sultan.
But as Angela Merkel, analysts say, does not define her country’s politics on the basis of interpersonal relationships with Erdogan, relationships that may not even exist, but looking at the tree that is purely Turkey as a country and a partner of Europe, the latter seems to be pushed from their fronts, with sharp voices like that of Manfred Weber, chairman of the European People’s Party (EPP) MEPs.
Agreements
So Turkey is interested in Merkel, as a strategic partner of Europe, p. in Refugee – Immigration. The 2016 EU-Turkey Refugee Agreement is the work of Merkel. Erdogan used the tools to test the refugees, like last February when he sent them by bus to Evros. But at the height of the Greek-Turkish crisis in the summer and autumn, the Refugee Agreement was complied with, there was no increase in flows to the Greek islands.
The Refugee Agreement needs to be updated. It is an integral part of the Euro-Turkish relations that will be discussed at the next Summit. Despite her dislike of Erdogan, Merkel would find it difficult to accept sanctions against Turkey. But the waiting period is over. And for Merkel. Borrell’s list of measures for Turkey was decided with the consent of Berlin and is on the table as a roadmap for next week’s crucial Council. “We will reconsider the issue and think about how we will react,” Merkel said modestly.
Tickled the united states
What is going to be debated in the Council does not come from the United States at all, which seems to have suddenly come out of the temporary “lethargy” of the changing of the guard at the White House. The American establishment has been upset by Turkey’s involvement on many fronts, but also by its close relations with Russia, which are not limited to the ammunition market but also extend to the nuclear sector, such as the Akugio plant, which is very disturbing.
However, Erdogan’s neo-Ottoman cries, which have been on the rise in the last 24 hours, especially against French President Macron, are further intensifying the climate in Europe against Ankara, and Athens makes it clear that he will not back down or stop. will lean towards tactical movements. Oruc Reis.
This was made clear by the successive positions of the Greek Prime Minister and Chancellor, who in the last 24 hours has hardened his position in front of the nationalist crowns of Tsavousoglou, who, giving the stigma that Turkey will move in the coming days, managed to signal for shout that Greece violated the Turkish continental shelf.
The first battle
Thus, the first “battle” will be given to the Foreign Affairs Council, which will take place in Brussels next Monday, with a physical presence, where it is expected to detect a first manifestation of intentions for what will come in the European Council. Dendias will brief his EU counterparts on Turkey’s criminal behavior and challenges, especially following the decisions of the October 2 Summit, when the Union issued a “final” warning to Turkey. Ankara, however, chose to heighten the tension by publishing a NAVTEX series for the “Oruts Reyes” investigation, while Erdogan’s provocative picnic in the city of Famagusta caused a particular inconvenience, with specific measures now in demand as much from Athens as of Athens. .
The veto role
The Chancellor recalls that the text of the Results of the October 2 Summit explicitly states that: “In the event of new unilateral actions or challenges in violation of international law, the EU will use all the means and options at its disposal to defend the sus interests and the interests of its Member States “.
Government spokesman Stelios Petsas, responding if Athens intends to veto the Summit, did not rule it out, saying that “we will see how things will evolve in the coming days, until the European Summit: on the one hand the implementation of the Conclusions European 2 October and on the other hand the arms embargo imposed by the Prime Minister himself in the previous European Council in November ”.
The problem is Europe
“The problems between Greece and Turkey concern Europe, as they affect the Eastern Mediterranean. They are related to NATO, since they affect its southeastern part. We have made it clear that this does not mean that Turkey will not face consequences if it continues its provocative actions. And I think this is now clear to all interested people in this corner of the world. ”
This was stated, among others, by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, during a debate with Politico journalist Matthew Kaminski, in the context of the international technology and innovation conference “Web Summit 2020” in Lisbon, which is held online this year.
“Words are no longer enough.” We need to see clear action from Turkey, and that means a real change in Turkey’s policy in the Eastern Mediterranean, “he said, adding that more things were at stake in the next Council. than the credibility of Europe.
Dendias: illegal claims
Turkey’s ambitions to become a geopolitical player in the Eastern Mediterranean region are based on illegal claims, Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias said in an online discussion at the annual event of the Mediterranean Dialogues (MED) initiative that it is carried out under the auspices of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. and specifically, in the panel on “Shared prosperity and migration”.
The Chancellor stressed that Turkey does not respect international law and the law of the sea, while reminding that it threatens war against an EU country, Greece, which simply wants to exercise its legal right under the law of the sea, the possibility expansion. at 12 miles.
In crisis 18 months
“We have been in crisis with Turkey for the last 18 months.” Never before, at least since the change of government, have we had such a long period of constant tension, “he said, adding:” We do not have to confront the Turkey of past that aspired to join the EU and serve the same European values as everyone, but a country that is taking many steps backwards, with neo-Ottoman tendencies ”.
“Turkey’s latest moves to ostensibly lessen the escalation are not convincing,” said Dendias, who called on EU countries to shoulder their responsibilities and take the necessary measures to bring Turkey to a true easing of tensions.
“We jointly call on the other EU states to assume their responsibilities and make the decisions that will lead Turkey to the path of de-escalation and constructive dialogue based on international law,” he said, adding: “These decisions are “Not only because they will send a strong message to Turkey, but also because they will be a testament to European solidarity to the coherence and credibility of the Union.”
Shows and insults from Erdogan
Recep Tayyip Erdogan launched new inflammatory statements against French President Emanuel Macron. Speaking from Hagia Sophia, where he made another show on the eve of the European Council meeting, the Turkish president described Macron as a problem for France, and expressed the hope that he would get rid of him.
“Macron is a problem for France. With Macron, France is going through a very dangerous period.” I hope that France will get rid of him, otherwise it will not be able to get rid of the yellow vests, “he said.
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