An interview with Manfred Weber MEP: Head of the European People’s Party in the European Parliament, on Turkey’s belligerent policy in the Eastern Mediterranean and South Caucasus region

An interview with Manfred Weber MEP Head of the European People’s Party in the European Parliament, on Turkey’s belligerent policy in the Eastern Mediterranean and South Caucasus region 9’ read

Turkey’s recent behaviour has triggered a global negative backlash opinion for the country with many considering it a blow to Turkish secularism. The Turkish administration has been pursuing an aggressive foreign policy in the Eastern Mediterranean and South Caucasus region. Ankara meddling in Libya, Syria and the conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia over the contested Nagorno-Karabakh region indicates that something has changed in the country’s strategy approach. It concerns us all that the Turkish government has sent out its research vessels, Oruc Reis and Barbaros, to carry out illegal researches within European Union’s borders whilst presumptuously and outrageously starting energy exploitation activities over Greece’s and Cyprus’s territory. Moreover, in July 2020 Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan decided to turn the church of Hagia Sophia, a World Heritage site and Ecumenism monument of peace and conciliation, into a mosque. This reflects once again that Turkey is moving away from the European principles and values. No one can disregard the fact that Ankara recently announced it will reopen the occupied - Cypriot ghost town of Varosha. Analysts consider that this decision will only lead to further escalation of the tension.

Manfred Weber, Head of the European People’s Party in the European Parliament, answers some critical questions over the issue which concerns all citizens and students of the European Union.

The European Union has expressed its solidarity towards its member states, which have been experiencing Turkey’s aggressive behaviour, but has been hesitating to take concrete action in order to confront Ankara. How do you evaluate the European reaction and why do you believe Europe is reluctant to stopping Turkey’s aggression?

The European Union’s heads of state have been very patient with Erdogan. When he declared the border to Greece open at the end of February 2020 we were among the first to call for a European condemnation of this cynical game with the lives of migrants. Despite a firm reaction to these provocations from the three European Union Presidents, we have only seen further escalation by Turkey in the Eastern Mediterranean. The energy exploitation in Cypriot waters, the research ship Oruc Reis and the Varosha decision all threw oil on the fire. Therefore, we have said that enough is enough. This is not only a Cypriot, a Greek or a French problem. It is a European one. Now it is time for the discussion about sanctions to be put on the table. We need to use the EU’s economic power to sanction Turkey.

Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s recent aggressive attitude shows that he does not respect the International Law and the sovereignty of European Union Member States. How do you interpret this recent stance and how Turkey could benefit by enrolling in an anti-European solidarity behavior?

We should not forget that Erdogan has been losing power in Turkey for some time now. Last year his party lost the mayoral election in Istanbul to the opposition, after he had already lost Ankara and Izmir. These are Turkey’s three biggest cities. He seems to believe that provoking Europe helps him domestically. The truth is the exact opposite. Turkey and its citizens would gain much more if Turkey turned towards a more constructive partnership with the European Union. Unfortunately, we are very far away from that point now.

The Turkish research vessel Oruc Reis has been sailing and conducting seismic surveys just outside the outside the territorial waters of the Greek island of Kastellorizo. How do you think Greece should react against Turkey’s provocative behaviour?

Greece has been exemplary in its reaction to the Turkish provocations. The Prime Minister of Greece, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, has said that he is even ready to turn to the International Court of Justice in the Hague in order to settle the disagreement over the delimitation of the maritime zones (the continental shelf and the Exclusive Economic Zone) in the Aegean and the Eastern Mediterranean. Despite this exhibit of good will by Greece, the Turkish leadership has consistently failed to respond constructively. Instead, President Erdogan does photo - ops in front of a map of the Aegean which shows several Greek islands in the Turkish maritime zone. This is simply unacceptable.

Greece and Cyprus have stressed the need to impose crippling sanctions on Turkey and Athens recently suggested freezing the customs agreement between the European Union and Turkey. Do you

“This is not only a Cypriot, a Greek or a French problem. It is a European one”

you also think that the accession negotiations of Turkey into the European Union should stop or pause?

Sanctions should never be our goal. They should be used only when all other diplomatic options have been exhausted. In my view, this has been the case for some time with Turkey. I have said that all options should be on the table, including economic sanctions. Regarding the Turkish accession negotiations, we have been very clear for a long time. Turkey cannot become a Member of the European Union. This procedure should be stopped immediately.

Migration has been a hot – button issue in the European Union for a long time. Turkey’s President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s, decided in February 2019 to step back from a 2016 deal that halted the flow of migrants from the Middle East into Europe. Turkey’s main complaint is that the European Union has not kept to its side of the agreement - providing economic incentives and support in exchange for dealing with the surge. Thousands of migrants gathered along the Turkish - Greek border across the Evros River to enter Europe since the Turkish government announced that the gates to Europe were open. At the same time, hundreds more migrants headed to Greek islands from the nearby Turkish coast in dinghies. Do you believe that this migrant influx has been partly orchestrated by Ankara to put pressure on the European Union? Is it likely that such an incident will be repeated? Which do you think would be the best way to handle the migration problem?

The events of the end of February 2020 were unprecedented. Erdogan officially declared the border to Greece open and sent there thousands of migrants who abandoned the Turkish camps where the situation was relatively stable and entered a confrontation with the Greek security forces. This shows the level of cynicism of the Turkish leadership. They tried to intimidate Europe over the backs of innocent people. At the same time, what happened last February was a crucial test for Greece and Europe. The Greek Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, showed that we decide who enters Europe and not Erdogan. It was also a historic moment for the rest of Europe. Greece showed everyone that Europe’s borders are protected. The open question of migration reform in Europe is one of the key challenges for the current German presidency. I believe right now we have a good chance to make progress, because the new Commission proposal speaks not only about solidarity but most of all about border control and returns. I am convinced that Europeans are ready to help people that really need and deserve our help, if they know that people who do not have the right to stay in Europe do not come in or are sent back. The key issue in the negotiation is that no country can say “it is not my problem”.

Eleni Koufali