The long-awaited “sure” from Olaf Solz for the Eurofighters program didn’t come – Is nice habits in direction of Greece a situation?
The long-awaited “sure” from Olaf Solz for the Eurofighters program didn’t come. Regardless of Ankara's expectations for a concrete reply yesterday Saturday, the German Chancellor turned to … Britain, sharing solely guarantees. Whereas he didn’t shut the door fully, he fastidiously averted committing to a problem that may provoke robust reactions from the German opposition.
Clearly, any transfer right here would require a major trade-off that might be introduced as an achievement in Berlin.
“Our relationships have turned in direction of pragmatic politics,” he mentioned in a rebuttal of his speech in the course of the joint press convention with the Turkish president on the Dolmabahçe Palace in Istanbul, confirming the change in fact in direction of a extra “business type” in German-Turkish relations, the which this yr marks a century since their official launch.
Erdogan's first deal with, an indication of Ankara's nice anticipation, to Soltz was in regards to the Eurofighters, calling on the German chief to place previous issues apart and transfer ahead with protection trade cooperation. In brief, cease the embargoes. Olaf Solz, nevertheless, restricted himself to normal statements, stressing that the undertaking remains to be at an early stage and referred to the negotiations that happen by way of Britain, as it’s the nation that manufactures the European fighters on its territory. He did, nevertheless, promise progress sooner or later, however with out offering something tangible. An ambiguous angle that reinforces the sensation that Solz extra “petted” Erdogan's ears than supplied substantial help to his expectations.
Good habits in direction of Greece is a situation?
On the identical time, the German chancellor's reference to the Greek-Turkish points despatched a transparent message to the Turkish aspect. It will be a welcome undertaking – he mentioned – to proceed the constructive agenda with Athens. A press release that seemed extra like a situation for advancing the remainder of the problems, such because the approval of the Eurofighters.
Though immigration was sizzling on Solz's agenda, official statements from each leaders remained tight-lipped, elevating questions on what went on behind the closed doorways of Dolmabahçe. Tayyip Erdogan tried to level it to the brand new wave of refugees from Lebanon as a result of conflict within the Center East, which stunned his home viewers, as he reopens his nation, after 2011, to refugees. Solz, alternatively, made positive to remind that Europe's monetary help to Turkey will proceed, so long as Ankara takes accountability once more for the tens of hundreds of migrants it has to take again.
As for the conflict in Gaza, there the 2 leaders civilly agreed that they… disagree. Solz made it clear that he doesn’t share Erdogan's views on Israel, whereas essentially the most intense second of the assembly got here when the Turkish president requested Solz for a proof for the silence of the worldwide neighborhood in direction of Israel, but additionally for the non-public insults he receives. by the Netanyahu authorities.
A gathering with out quick outcomes, however not fruitless
Ankara sought tangible steps to bolster its navy, however the German chancellor most well-liked to go away room for future negotiations, leaving Erdogan with unfulfilled expectations. It’s turning into clear that Olaf Solz has chosen to maintain diplomatic doorways open with Turkey, however with out making vital concessions that might jeopardize his home political place.
The tactic of ambiguous guarantees demonstrates Berlin's willingness to handle the advanced German-Turkish relations by way of the prism of pragmatic politics, with out, nevertheless, granting vital benefits to Ankara.
This assembly between Turkey and Germany, though it didn’t supply quick outcomes, wouldn’t, nevertheless, be described as fruitless. It appeared extra to set the stage for future developments and extra tangible offers sooner or later for either side.
Supply: Nation
