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Shortly before the EU decision on sanctions against Turkey, there is another discussion about the attempted search for a Turkish arms merchant ship destined for Libya. Protests in Ankara prevented Bundeswehr soldiers from the European Irini mission from inspecting the ship.
It is not known whether the armaments were actually on board. But the incident was the third time that Turkey has opposed European inspections at sea. This strengthens the camp of those EU states calling for a hard line against Ankara at the summit on 10 and 11 December.
In recent days, Turkish President Recep Erdogan had been involved several times in Europe. The future of his country is in Europe, he said. But the EU shouldn’t be fooled by this.
Erdogan renounces the reformer because he wants to avoid sanctions. He wants to prevent the collapse of the economy and secure power. The Turkish economic crisis gives the EU a lever with which it can effectively put pressure on Erdogan – Europe should also seize this opportunity.
Europe should decide on sanctions against Turkey
Erdogan’s conciliatory messages to Europe are tactics and not the expression of fundamental change. The Turkish government sees Europe as a paper tiger incapable of united and resolute steps.
The EU should prove to Turkey that this impression is wrong. It would therefore be better if the EU approved the sanctions planned against Turkey in December and made their implementation dependent on concrete measures taken by Turkey.
In this way, Europe could regain influence over Ankara. If, however, the EU can be fooled with a few symbolic gestures from Turkey, it is only a matter of time before the next crisis erupts and Europe has no influence. Turkey needs the EU, its main trading partner, more than ever.
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