Posted on 03/18/2017 10:41:00 AM PDT by Texas Fossil
German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel said in an interview with news magazine Der Spiegel published today that Turkey has never been less likely to join the European Union than now, as relations between Ankara and Berlin hit a low point.
Today Turkey is definitely further away from becoming a member of the European Union than ever before, Gabriel said in the interview.
He also said that he always had doubts about whether Turkey should join the EU but found himself in the minority in his Social Democrat (SPD) party.
Before taking power in Germany in 2005, Chancellor Angela Merkel was an outspoken opponent of Turkeys membership and instead called for a privileged partnership.
Gabriel disliked that idea because he thought it would make Turks feel like second-class Europeans but he said his opinion had changed since Britains decision to leave the EU.
Read: Turkey threatens to cancel EU migrant deal following tensions
Today the situation is totally different due to Brexit. Wed be well advised to bring about a special relationship with Great Britain after its exit from the EU, Gabriel said.
That will be an important learning process for the EU and perhaps some of it can serve as a blueprint for other countries in the long term, Gabriel said.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is courting Turks abroad for support in a referendum due to be held on 16 April that would reform Turkeys parliamentary democracy into an executive presidency, similar to the United States.
After Germany and the Netherlands appeared to be taking sides in Turkeys internal affairs and the referendum process by banning rallies, events and even ministers from entering Turkish sovereign territory, Erdogan lashed out by describing both countries as fascist and Nazi remnants.
Gabriel said Erdogan was taking advantage of a sentiment many people of Turkish origin have in Germany that they are neither accepted nor welcomed, but failed to address why these European citizens of Turkish background may feel this way.
Europe has become increasingly Islamophobic and xenophobic, with racist sentiments and attacks against Muslims and non-white refugees, migrants and even naturalised citizens increasing at an alarming rate.
Gabriel said Germany should avoid reacting in kind to provocations from Turkey because that would only give Erdogan an enemy to direct his peoples ire toward, arguing that the Turkish president needs a bogeyman for his campaign.
He also warned Turkish politicians that they could be banned from holding rallies in Germany if they do not stick to German laws: Whoever crosses these lines cannot expect to be allowed to propagate his political ideas here.
However, there was never any indication that Turkey had breached any German laws, as the rallies were scheduled months in advance with the German authorities, yet were cancelled last minute for no apparent reason beyond minor concerns regarding car parking facilities and similar issues Turkey called trivial.
Suddenly, they are voicing public objections to Turkey joining the EU.
Suddenly, the Foreign Minister warns Turkey politicians about holding political rallies in Germany.
Suddenly, the Foreign Minister publicly states that Germany should have a “special relationship” with the UK after Brexit.
Bunk, Bunk, And More Bunk.
Erdogan is working hand-in-glove with the European globalists.
Once the globalists are reelected in Germany and France, Erdogan will stop his threats and criticism, and the globalists will go right back to doing what they always do...
They will keep trying to build a European super state that is ruled by unelected Marxist bureaucrats!
The last guy that threatened to over run Europe with non whites was Ghadaffi. And look how that worked out for him. lol. The Germans may have gone dumb and weakened their military, but they still fight nasty.
Yes. And they make very good weapons.
Trump and Mattis need to remove Turkey from that program!! Do the Turks already have all the current classified details?? Whose bright idea was it to allow them access? Oh right, they are the token Muslim entity in NATO, probably hard to deny them until they are removed from NATO, which needs to happen NOW.
Guess we will see. Looks like Erdogan’s actions are a way to loose the Referendum.
Not everyone freed by Reagan ought to be in NATO or the EU. It is one thing to want freedom and independence for all peoples, quite a different thing to talk about who belongs in NATO or who belongs in the EU.
I've also read that the United States Air Force has tactical nuclear weapons stored at Incirlik Air Base in Turkey.
Mon Dieu!
How long until Germany is a province of Turkey?
Turkey will join the EU (or successor) after the rapid breeding and migrating Europistan muslims take over what’s left of Europe. I give it 15 to 20 years.
Turkey joined the F-35 consortium in 2002 so I guess we George W. Bush to thank.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_Martin_F-35_Lightning_II_procurement#Turkey
Yeah, well, before the rise of Erdogan in 2003 it seemed that Turkey was an ok ally. Things have gone way downhill there since.... now they are looking rather hopeless. Islamism has won out over secularism.
It won’t last that long.
If Erdogan is made Dictator with super power on April 16th I could be quick. He might even try Conquest, if he can find a financier. There is a lot of ME oil Money.
I disagree.
I think “secular” Turkey has always had a Muslim fundamentalist majority.
The Turkish military has suppressed that majority for the last hundred years, but Erdogan, a Muslim fundamentalist himself, has purged the military and indicted many of the senior officers.
In some respects, Turkey reminds me of Iran in 1979, except Erdogan already lives in Ankara, not in Paris, like Ayatollah Khomeini.
A fairly large number of them were marched upon a big bridge and their heads were cut off. Turkish Haircut
I would not be surprised if our last CIA director the Muslim Convert Brennan actually gave Erdogan a report from our master database of those officers he should target. Then they convinced someone stupid to try to coup, and then proceeded to squash it early so it failed. Just saying, professional courtesty, 1 Islamist to another Islamist.
Turkey (Ottoman empire really) took a 100 year break from it’s Muslim wars of conquest. It looks like it’s game on again. Last time the Turks made it all the way to Vienna. Europe better man up because the Muslims are coming. One way or another they are coming.
Not all of them. Some of them have had a taste of freedom and don’t want the option.
Islamists like Erdogan are very dangerous.
That is all certainly plausible.
Its over. Muslims are already in Europe. All they need now is some good weapons. And Turkey has a history of running weapons to destabilize nations (Syria). Only thing that will stop Turkish conquest now is to help give the Kurds Eastern Turkey.
Agreed. 100 percent.
But dont’ tell me people here don’t refer to them in negative derogatory terms. At least some.
Didn’t say you. And AGREE on NATO. They have men and and we can help them with military equipment if they feel the threat of Russia on their backs.
I just dont like to see the attitude i see here sometimes that what a heroic president did means nothing now.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.