"Not helpful": Baerbock's Turkey visit criticized - Erdogan minister is already calling for Merkel
Created: 08/02/2022, 12:30 p.m
By: Franziska Schwarz
Annalena Baerbock's visit to Ankara revealed many current issues of dispute with Turkey.
Criticism of the Foreign Minister's behavior is not only coming from there.
Istanbul/Berlin - When Annalena Baerbock was in Istanbul for her first visit, she took a sharper stance in German Turkey policy.
A friendly relationship is "incredibly important" to her, said the Green Foreign Minister, but diplomacy does not mean "just exchanging platitudes".
Her Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu soon fired back.
Under ex-Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU), Germany has "taken on a sincere mediating role" with its country, said Cavusoglu.
but in the meantime "this balance has unfortunately been lost."
Under Angela Merkel, Germany has taken on the role of sincere mediator with Turkey
Mevlut Cavusoglu, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey
The Turkish foreign minister accused Germany of bias and a lack of appreciation.
He counters criticism of the human rights situation with the accusation of “double standards” because Germany too has not implemented all the judgments of the European Court of Human Rights.
Probably his most important point: he accused Germany of taking the Greek side too clearly in the island dispute between Turkey and Greece.
Baerbock with Cavusoglu at the press conference in Istanbul © Leon Kuegeler/Imago
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Baerbock contradicted Cavusoglu with the following criticisms, among others:
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Turkey's foreign policy course under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is causing irritation in Berlin.
"Quite the right questions" Baerbock addressed during her trip, commented the
Süddeutsche Zeitung -
but criticized that it "would have been more helpful" if Baerbock was "clear on the matter", but "at least in tone" the "well-known Turkish sensitivities “ would have taken into account.
After all, the Greek-Turkish island dispute has been going on for decades.
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Baerbock criticism of Erdogan "not helpful"?
CDU/CSU parliamentary group leader criticized
The CDU foreign affairs expert Johann Wadephul also apparently disliked Annalena Baerbock's appearance: he did not think that the fact that she had publicly criticized Turkey from Greek soil was "helpful," he told the AFP news agency.
Both countries are needed as long-term partners, especially in NATO.
"As correct as the position may be, prudent foreign policy advocates it in personal discussions," said Wadephul.
(frs with material from AFP)