Berlin, 18 November 2023 (WAI): Chancellor Olaf Scholz is expected to extend a warm welcome to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday during Erdogan’s first visit to Germany since 2020.
Bilateral ties between Berlin and Ankara have been historically complex, and recent events, such as the Israel-Hamas conflict, have further strained relations, putting the two nations on opposing sides.
Despite previous disagreements, Scholz has publicly supported Israel with military aid. In contrast, Erdogan, in line with Turkiye’s broader stance, has criticized Israel’s actions, accusing it of acting like a “terrorist” state during the conflict.
Two days before he visited Germany, Erdogan, in a speech to Turkish lawmakers, labeled Israel a “terrorist state” and accused the West of openly supporting the massacres in Gaza.
A week prior, he made a startling statement questioning the legitimacy of Israel, asserting it was “called into question because of its fascism,” causing consternation in Germany.
Chancellor Scholz, responding on Tuesday, dismissed Erdogan’s remarks as “absurd” and unequivocally defended Israel as a “democratic state” against the actions of the “terrorist organization” Hamas.
Despite mounting pressure, especially from Jewish associations, calling for the cancellation of the visit, which had been planned for several months, the chancellor extended the invitation after Erdogan’s re-election in May.
The conservative opposition and the liberal FDP party, part of the government coalition with Scholz’s SPD and the Greens, considered the timing inappropriate. However, the government maintained its stance, refusing to entertain the idea of cancellation.
Chancellor’s spokesperson, Steffen Hebestreit, acknowledged the intricacies of diplomacy, stating that discussions with “difficult partners” are sometimes necessary, even if they are complicated.
Germany is keen on avoiding conflict with Erdogan, given the recent improvement in relations between Berlin and Ankara, as noted by Der Spiegel. This positive shift comes after a period of heightened tension following the crackdown in Türkiye after the 2016 coup.
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A crucial aspect influencing this diplomatic stance is the substantial Turkish diaspora in Europe’s largest economy, numbering around 2.9 million people, of which 1.5 million voters largely support Erdogan.
Additionally, both Germany and the broader EU rely on the Turkish president to extend a 2016 agreement aimed at controlling the influx of migrants.
The current wave of arrivals from the Middle East, contributing to the rise of far-right sentiments, especially in Germany, underscores the importance of this pact.
As per the agreement, Türkiye agrees to keep migrants, mainly Syrians, on its territory, in exchange for a significant financial contribution.
Despite concerns about Erdogan’s domestic authoritarianism, his increasing influence in global geopolitics positions him as an indispensable dialogue partner for Berlin.
An International Relations graduate, with a keen interest in diverse areas of IR; diplomacy, global politics & human rights.
