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Twenty-four hours before the crucial European Council sanctions summit in Turkey, the 27 already appear to be divided into two camps.
On the one hand, France and those who support Greece and Cyprus, demanding harsh sanctions against Ankara, and on the other hand, the bloc of reluctant countries that Germany presides over.
The tone of the position that Berlin will take was given a few days ago by Angela Merkel, describing as “positive” the apparent withdrawal of Oruts Reyes from the Greek continental shelf, a few days before the Summit.
“It is a good sign that this ship, Oruts Reyes, has returned to a Turkish port, but mining activities continue near the coast of Cyprus,” Merkel said.
By contrast, France was at the forefront of expansionism and Ankara’s provocative rhetoric from the start, with Emanuel Macron speaking red lines.
“I don’t think we can enter into a dialogue with Turkey if it violates the red lines.” Mr. Macron had reported.
Berlin’s reluctance was also evident at the October Summit, amid the Greco-Turkish crisis and with the mounting provocation from Ankara underway, the German Chancellor was talking about a positive agenda with Turkey.
“We want to promote this positive agenda in the talks with Turkey, because we know how important it is for all the different strategic relations with Turkey,” Merkel said.
On the other hand, attending the October Summit, Emanuel Macron gave the stigma of Paris’s intentions.
“When another member state is attacked, threatened and when its sovereign rights are not respected, it is the duty of Europeans to show solidarity,” Macron said.
Even after the summit, where most partners called for sanctions, Berlin refrained from sending a strong message, hoping for a “good relationship” with Ankara.
“On the one hand, we managed to acknowledge the justified objections of Greece and Cyprus and, on the other hand, to emphasize that we want a good structural relationship with Turkey,” the foreign minister said.
The French president showed immediate reflexes towards Turkey’s provocative behavior by calling the leaders of seven Mediterranean states in Corsica last September, sending a strong message against Erdogan, calling on Europe to react.
We Europeans must be clear and firm, not with Turkey as a nation, as a people, but with the government of President Erdogan, which is now behaving unacceptably, and I am only referring to some of the unilateral acts and challenges of this summer. . ” he said.
Berlin maintains close economic ties with Ankara, while despite Greece’s request for an arms embargo, supported by the Netherlands, among others, it continues to sell equipment to Turkey.
Germany sells 214 submarines to Turkey, similar to those available to Greece, upgrading the Leopard tanks and supplying Ankara with missiles and ammunition.
However, instead of an arms embargo, the Foreign Ministry refers to dialogue.
“I have always argued that there should be no further escalation, which can only be partially achieved by talking to both parties over and over again.” Ms. Merkel said.
Faced with Erdogan’s multiple fronts in the eastern Mediterranean, where Turkey kept troops in Libya, Syria and Nagorno-Karabakh, as well as research ships in Cyprus and the Greek mainland, the French president stepped forward and urged Europe to build
“We Europeans are willing to dialogue, for the necessary construction of a Pax Mediterranea (Mediterranean Peace), but not at the cost of intimidation, or the right of the strong (but) with respect for international law, cooperation and respect among allies. These principles are not negotiable. ” He got
Berlin’s difficulty in condemning the Turkish actions was reflected in the statement by Angela Merkel who expressed her respect in Ankara for the refugee management, ignoring the humanitarian crisis that it generated on the Greek-Turkish and at the same time Euro-Turkish border.
“If you look at how difficult it is for us in the EU on immigration, Turkey deserves great respect for what it is doing in this area.” Ms. Merkel said.
France, for its part, a faithful ally of Greece, also responded to Athens’ request to participate in exercise Eunomia, which was a response to the illegal activity of Oruts Reyes on the Greek continental shelf. In fact, the French chancellor did not hesitate to openly mention the sanctions against Ankara.
“If Turkey does not fundamentally and clearly change its position before the December European Council, then we will take the necessary measures at the European level with the consent of the Turkish authorities.” The French Foreign Minister had stressed.
Paris maintains a permanent naval presence in the eastern Mediterranean, while next-generation French Rafale jets will soon equip the air force, being the spearhead of the Greek armed forces.
Source: skai.gr
