Merkel of Germany must choose: with EU or with Turkey?
More than once over this year, the European Parliament, being the single institution that democratically represents EU citizens, has overwhelmingly condemned Turkey for its violations of International Law in the Eastern Mediterranean, particularly against member states, Cyprus and Greece.
This time, it was the turkish illegal activities in the occupied town of Varosha in Cyprus, that drew the ire of the European Parliament, calling on Turkey to withdraw its troops from Cyprus, end its settlement policy, reverse its illegal actions in Varosha and deliver the area to its lawful residents under the UN Interim Administration, in line with Security Council/UN resolutions.
In this same resolution, the European Parliament voted overwhelmingly for tough sanctions against Turkey (632 in favour, 3 against and 59 abstentions).
The resolution is not binding but it is up to the European Council to decide on the 10-11 of December when the issue of sanctions against Turkey is on the agenda as decided last October. So far, some Heads of Government, including the current Council’s German Presidency, are reluctant to impose biding sanctions on Turkey.
Germany has a key and leading role in EU affairs, particularly when it comes to EU-Turkey relations. Despite Chancellor Merkel’s words for common EU security priorities and European values, she is driven by her own domestic agenda with high tech arms sales (e.g. submarines) and trade with Turkey, in effect repelling the imposition of sanctions on Erdogan. Would this myopic view of German interests outweigh EU vital interests, from geopolitics, energy, and security to respect of International Law in the Mediterranean and beyond? For example, given the very weak state of the turkish economy, the suspension of the Customs Union regulating the EU-Turkey trade could be a powerful tool against Erdogan without touching the Turkey’s accession status.
The Council is called upon to align itself with the wishes of European citizens, as expressed through their representatives in the European Parliament, by imposing severe sanctions on Turkey. But this is also a test for Merkel. If the German Presidency of the European Council does not respond with substantive sanctions on Turkey, it will be in full contrast with the European Parliament, but also with EU vital interests, values and fundamental principles.
This time Merkel must decide whether to side with the EU or with Erdogan.
- Member of European Parliament (S&D) – Chair of the Political Committee for the Mediterranean – costas.mavrides@europarl.europa.eu