Coalition and Ambiguity:political roots and contemporary diplomacy between Turkey and Germany.

Abstract

The relations between Turkey and Germany have often been characterized by tensions and ambiguity. The political links can be divided into three important sections: historical backgrounds of World War I and Ataturk presidency, Turkish diaspora in the Federal Republic, and finally the Germany’s position to an eventual membership of Turkey to European Union. In the thesis, religion is a key concept and a common thread that influenced, and still influence according with some scholars, the Germany’s political decisions toward Turkey. Due to its strategic geopolitical position and army composition Turkey represented an important ally for Germany already one century ago. If for decades was a poor country characterized by high percentage of illiteracy and unskilled manpower, today Turkey displays a population of 78 million people, a geographical area of 784 thousand km, and an economic growth that annually it is bigger than EU percentage area. As Germany is the main EU leader and has the highest number of nationals within the European Parliament, it plays a key role for the Union policy and its enlargement. Tensions between Germany and Turkey increased after the European Parliament decision taken on 24 November 2016 to freeze temporarily the accession negotiations. According with the resolution, Turkey took disproportional repressive measures violating the basic rights of its Constitution after the failed coup of 15 July 2016. There is no doubt that Turkey it is important for the EU, and also the fact that Turkey has to improve its policy in those criteria required by Copenhagen. Nevertheless, this accession has further implications as would change the EU balance of power and its cultural homogeneity. Maybe the Union, and Germany are still not ready to accept such implications.