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Brussels is trying to put the cart before the horse again in terms of seeking balance in Euro-Turkish relations, while the Turkish leadership continues to sell pro-European fumaroles to its European friends, as Erdogan did yesterday after thanking the German chancellor. Merkel expressed Turkey’s desire to open a “new page” in Euro-Turkish relations.
Erdogan rightly thanked Merkel for her “constructive contribution” during the German presidency of the European Union. His intervention effectively blocked the promotion of decisions that would lead to a hardening of the European position and the imposition of measures against Turkey for its pirate policy against Greece and Cyprus, for its destabilizing role in the region in general, but also for serious violations. of human rights and individual freedoms.
After the summit, however, the wrong messages continue to be sent and High Representative Z. Borel, instead of drawing up a list of restrictive measures that will be imposed on Turkey if it repeats the challenges, by posting on his personal blog, discovers that the key because everything now is the repetition of the exploratory contacts between Greece and Turkey and the repetition of the talks for the solution of the Cyprus problem.
Borrell, in a lengthy text inspired by a stalemate on Euro-Turkish friendship and citing the impossibility of imposing sanctions on Turkey, said that the Spanish politician believed that what needed to be done to restore and advance Euro-Turkish relations, is the Greek-Turkish dialogue and talks on the Cyprus question.
In this way, Borel tries to absolve Turkey of its revisionist and aggressive policy and transfer the pressure to Greece and Cyprus, as if both Turkey’s position and the future of the two countries depended on it. Euro-Turkish relations.
In his article, Mr. Borel describes his mediation effort from the summer onwards, when the tension had escalated, and notes: “I do not want to continue with a detailed description of my various efforts to find a space for a renewed bilateral dialogue between Greece and Turkey on maritime disputes and confidence-building measures or discuss how to support UN efforts to resume negotiations to resolve the Cyprus problem. Suffice it to say here that channeling both issues through proper diplomatic and technical procedures is essential. to create space for a healthy relationship between the EU and Turkey “These are issues that can no longer be postponed.”
After explaining to Mr. Borrell that the issue of exploratory contacts is not “maritime differences” but the delimitation of maritime zones under the Law of the Sea, it should be noted that the problem is not the absence of exploratory contacts and conversations about the Cyprus issue. but the questioning of the sovereignty and sovereign rights of Greece and Cyprus.
Borrell is even hesitant to refer to a “destabilizing role” when describing Turkey’s well-known adventurous interventions from the Caucasus to Libya and East Africa, and rather admires that Turkey has achieved great success and that this should be the case. .Ε. to take account
“The relationship with Turkey has deep historical roots. The current direction, however, seems to move it further away from the EU, and this refers to internal developments, especially with regard to fundamental freedoms, but also external involvement of Turkey. Turkey has become a regional power worthy of being valued and it has certainly been successes. “Unfortunately, in many cases, Turkey’s international agenda is not in line with the EU and its methods are not those of the EU.” .
And while the European official admits that all of this raises fundamental questions about Turkey’s goals and whether they are compatible with candidate status, he is quick to “flush” Turkey again, welcoming statements by the Turkish leadership that, like him It says, “They declare the strategy Turkey’s interest in joining the EU.”
Borrell added that the statements should be “followed by actions confirming such intentions,” but was quick to speak in favor of the neighbor, saying that Europeans should also “show Turkey that it would be welcome as a member of the family if its own part of the agreement “.
Mr Borrell seems unable or unwilling to realize that Turkey is not interested in abiding by its own part of the Agreement and that if it did, it should start first with respect for the rule of law, with withdrawal. the occupation by troops of the territory of a Member State, but also the acceptance and ratification of the UNCLOS Convention on the Law of the Sea as part of the acquis communautaire.
However, the High Representative, albeit half-hearted, admits that if the “downward trend” in Euro-Turkish relations continues, “there is a high probability that the EU” must take strong measures to convince Turkey that it is serious and determined to ensure that our interests are respected. “
At the same time, however, he is quick to add that “in cooperation with the Commission and the Member States, we will discuss our proposals for a positive agenda with Turkey, which could include strengthening regional cooperation through an Eastern Mediterranean conference. “But for all this to happen, actions that may be considered aggressive or contrary to the interests of the EU must cease.”
It is now clear that the High Representative looms as a real problem and an obstacle in the effort to formulate an even technocratic approach to the “Turkish question”.
