Erdogan and Scholz Engage in Complex Talks Amidst Middle East Tensions
On Saturday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed gratitude to German Chancellor Olaf Scholz during their discussions in Istanbul, particularly for advancing a key defense contract. However, the two leaders remain deeply divided over the escalating crisis in the Middle East. Scholz's visit marks his first since March 2022, with the volatile situation in the region being a primary topic alongside migration and other bilateral concerns.
Erdogan criticized Israel's actions in the Palestinian territories and its military operations in Lebanon, calling for an end to what he termed 'aggressive policies'. He went so far as to denounce these actions as genocide. Conversely, Scholz firmly rejected the allegations of genocide, reiterating Germany’s stance that Israel has the right to defend itself against attacks. He called for an immediate ceasefire and the release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza.
The discussions around the Israel-Hamas conflict added tension to already fraught relations between Turkey and Germany. With approximately three million Turkish immigrants residing in Germany, both nations share a complex relationship that has often been strained by debates over human rights and governance under President Erdogan's leadership.
As the war continues, Erdogan has been vocal in his criticisms of Israeli military actions, a viewpoint that has clashed with Berlin’s traditional stance of strong support for Israel's right to self-defense. This divergence was highlighted during Scholz's visit to Turkey, which came on the heels of previous confrontations over the region's stability.
Despite these profound disagreements, Erdogan acknowledged Scholz's efforts to ease restrictions on defense sales to Turkey, particularly with respect to Ankara's interest in acquiring 40 Eurofighter Typhoons. "We wish to leave behind the past difficulties in the context of the supply of defense industry products and develop our cooperation," Erdogan stated, commending Scholz for facilitating the dialogue critical to advancing their military cooperation.
The Eurofighter Typhoons, developed collaboratively by Germany, the UK, Spain, and Italy, have been a subject of complex negotiations. Even though talks have been sluggish, both leaders appeared keen to push forward, with Scholz emphasizing NATO's role in guiding decisions pertaining to arms deliveries to Turkey.
Recent reports suggest that Berlin has authorized significant arms deliveries to Turkey, including anti-aircraft missiles worth several hundred million euros. This marks a notable shift from Germany's previous stringent regulations on arms exports to Ankara, introduced after Turkey's military actions in Syria in 2016.
Trade relations between the two nations have also seen substantial growth, now reaching around 50 billion euros. Erdogan expressed his aspirations to elevate this figure to 60 billion euros, a goal he believes is within reach if bilateral cooperation continues to flourish.
Addressing migration, Erdogan mentioned Turkey’s responsibility towards 3.5 million Syrian refugees currently residing within its borders, stating that Turkey’s doors remain open to those seeking refuge from Syria and Lebanon. In response, Scholz thanked Erdogan for Turkey's ongoing efforts to manage the refugee crisis and reiterated Germany's commitment to supporting Turkey in this regard.
As both leaders navigated these intricate discussions on defense, economic ties, and humanitarian responsibilities, the underlying tensions regarding the Middle East conflict underscored the complex interplay of their relationship.
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