[ad_1]
To stop the challenges against Greece and Cyprus, as well as drilling in the Eastern Mediterraneanasks Turkey’s German Deputy Foreign Minister, Michael roth.«Greece must know that we are on its side when Turkey threatens its integrity and that of Cyprus, Sending a message of support amid growing Turkish provocative rhetoric.
In an interview with Die Zeit newspaper, Mr. Roth points out the need to continue the Greek-Turkish dialogue process and, referring to the EU sanctions against Ankara, declares that “If EU member states, like Greece, are challenged and threatened for their security, then a clear response is required.».
In view of the upcoming European Council, Mr Roth, referring to recent statements by Turkey’s Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoλουlu on “new capital“In relations with the EU, he talks about”only nice words».
«What we need now are the corresponding actions. Turkey must show work. The deepening of the Customs Union or the visa facilitation that the Turkish government wants are not gifts of generosity. Specific conditions must be met for them. The issue of rapprochement is in the hands of President Erdogan himself and his government.Responding to a question about the possibility of new sanctions, he states that this will depend to a decisive degree on whether the “rhetorical spring”, as he characteristically says, will be followed by something specific on his part. Anchor.
«The process of dialogue with Greece must continue. Turkey must stop test drilling in the eastern Mediterranean and challenges Greece and Cyprus“He emphasizes. When asked about different approaches to EU policy towards Turkey, Michael Roth explained that the impression should not be allowed in Ankara that the EU could be divided.
“We are on the side of Greece when its sovereignty is questioned”
«Greece must know that we are on its side, when Turkey partially questions the integrity and sovereignty of Greece, but also of Cyprus.“, keep going.
However, he acknowledges that “the EU, as a community of liberal democracies, continues to struggle to respond adequately and effectively to nationalism and populism».
Regarding Germany’s possible “special responsibility”, the Deputy Foreign Minister explains that no other EU country has such close human and cultural ties with Turkey as more than 3 million people in Germany He says that sections of the Turkish community in Germany are still deeply divided: many are more religious and support Tayyip Erdogan, while others, even within the SPD, are very secular and strongly reject his policies.
«That is why Germany has a special responsibility and a special interest in ensuring that the climate is not further poisoned.He notices.
At the same time, he categorically rejects the speculation that Berlin is taking a passive stance towards Ankara: “We are anything but passive. We are in constant contact with Turkey, civil society, the government and the opposition. And I can assure you: conversations with the Erdogan government are not always pleasant. We say things by name. We clearly show our limits, when necessary, and resort to cooperation, when possible. Turkey tops our list of priorities. Germany, in particular, has achieved a lot in terms of engagement and commitmentHe adds.
“Erdogan’s current policy is insufficient”
When asked about the EU accession negotiations with Turkey, Mr. Roth said: “in the ice»Since 2016, but the fact that they are not interrupted, is mainly an important message for Turkish civil society.
«We do not want to leave all those who yearn for European values alone in the fight for democracy, the rule of law and human rights. Turkey is more than President Tayyip Erdogan and his governmentIt characteristically says and notes that EU membership is not just about security interests.
«The EU is a community of laws and values. President Erdogan’s current policies are incomplete or inadequate, especially on human rights issues. That is why it is not possible for the accession negotiations to proceed. But a narrative that the Turkish president keeps repeating is: the EU doesn’t love us at all. They never wanted us. I think that is why we should not fall into the trap and close the door completely.“, Add and continue:”I have always been in favor of keeping the accession perspective. For the sake of the freedom-loving Turks. But you will surely notice that I also have doubts from time to time».
At the same time, however, Michael Roth expresses the view that “something has started to moveIn Turkey and indicates that in recent years, the majority of the AKP is no longer as stable as before, while in the big cities, like Istanbul, they are ruled by opposition politicians.
Furthermore, the financial situation is strained and many yearn for some prospect for a better future.
«There is the desire for change, freedom and democracy. That is why it is even more important that we continue to build resilient bridges with civil society and do not move away from Turkey now.“, Emphasizes.
For the immigrant
Referring to the EU-Turkey refugee agreement, Mr Roth acknowledged, on the one hand, that there is currently no consensus in the EU on the reception of refugees, but on the other, he points out that no country in Europe that has not received as many refugees as Turkey has hosted a total of about 4 million people who, as he says, usually receive good care.
«In any case, I would not say that refugees are always treated much better in the EU than in Turkey.”, He says and describes the evolution of the agreement as necessary, with the aim of continuing to improve the situation of refugees in Turkey.
«What many overlook is that the billions of euros we use to help Turkey host refugees did not go to the Turkish state budget, but to NGOs, health, education, employment and refugee housing.“Says the German Social Democrat. Responding to a question about the Common Asylum Policy, Michael Roth expressed his disappointment that the EU has not yet been able to put in place a progressive Common Asylum and Refugee Policy based on shared responsibility , solidarity and humanity The German Presidency of the Council has failed to reach the goal, it will be extremely difficult to have a successful ending in the coming months.
«The differences between Member States simply remain largeHe explains. He even reveals that during the past six months he spent many weekends calling his counterparts and asking if they would be willing to host another 50 or even 10 refugees.
«Dealing with refugees is the EU’s Achilles heelIt says characteristically. Finally, when asked about the European Court of Human Rights decision to release editor Osman Kavala and politician Selahattin Demirtas, Mr. Roth points out that just by being a member of the Council of Europe, Turkey is bound to comply with the judgments. of the European Court of Human Rights.
«A further refusal would also have painful consequences for Turkey. And that is exactly what we are signaling to the Turkish government. The judgments of the European Court of Human Rights must be complied with. This is a precondition for membership of the Council of Europe.”Concludes the undersecretary, whose country currently holds the presidency of the body.
News Today
Coronavirus: in 2,215 new cases, 451 intubated, 32 deaths
Vaccination certificate – Von der Leyen: Approval of the proposal on March 17
Koronovirus – Malesina: Two brothers dead within a few hours of each other
See all the latest news from Greece and the world, as it happens, on Protothema.gr
