German Chancellor Angela Merkel travels today in Istanbul in an effort to secure the help of Turkey to limit the influx of refugees from the Middle East to Europe.
Merkel wants to consolidate the Europe Agreement with Turkey in Ankara offering help and closer ties with the EU in exchange to encourage refugees to remain on Turkish territory.
But going to Istanbul just two weeks before parliamentary elections in Turkey, the German chancellor threatens to allow the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to the draw in the election campaign of his party, amid growing concerns in Europe about freedom of speech the fragile democracy in Turkey, according to the Athens agency.
"He has managed to put herself in a situation where no one wins," said Ekin Nteligkez, a German Green MEP with Turkish origin.
"And in this situation Merkel appears desiring friendship! Erdogan knows this and exploits, "said he.
German Chancellor seems not to have enough bargaining chip to make it into its own towards Turkey, especially as only 10 days before had reiterated its opposition to Ankara's accession to the EU.
This statement Merkel was before the EU proposal to Turkey an "action plan" to deal with the refugee crisis, which includes a "renewal" of the accession talks and the possibility to issue easier visas for Turks They want to travel to Europe.
Erdogan and the Justice and Development Party (AKP) have interest in avoiding seem that sold out to help ungrateful Europeans.
Turkish President taking this opportunity to strengthen its influence in Europe and Merkel. Moreover Friday again accused the EU dishonesty in terms of accession talks with Turkey.
In fact both Erdogan and Merkel knows that there is no possibility in the short term for Turkey to join the EU. But both have something to gain from the current session:
For German Chancellor confirmation by Turkey of its commitment in the Action Plan is important to limit the influx of refugees in the country and to reduce the pressure on Merkel at home even from her own party.
For the Turkish president, winning a pledge to speed up procedures to ensure that Turkish citizens can travel to the EU without a visa may strengthen the political view of the elections on November 1st. Alongside Turkey's accession in the list of 'safe countries' can help the country's tourism.
A German official said Wednesday that Berlin is willing to support the EU proposal to include Turkey in this list, which until now Germany faced cautiously because of human rights violations by Ankara and how facing the Kurdish minority.
But Merkel is under pressure not to sacrifice human rights for the benefit of European realpolitik.
"Merkel should put principle above politics in its discussions with the Turkish government," said Andrew Garner Amnesty International, which criticized the way in which Ankara is facing refugees.
Merkel wants to consolidate the Europe Agreement with Turkey in Ankara offering help and closer ties with the EU in exchange to encourage refugees to remain on Turkish territory.
But going to Istanbul just two weeks before parliamentary elections in Turkey, the German chancellor threatens to allow the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to the draw in the election campaign of his party, amid growing concerns in Europe about freedom of speech the fragile democracy in Turkey, according to the Athens agency.
"He has managed to put herself in a situation where no one wins," said Ekin Nteligkez, a German Green MEP with Turkish origin.
"And in this situation Merkel appears desiring friendship! Erdogan knows this and exploits, "said he.
German Chancellor seems not to have enough bargaining chip to make it into its own towards Turkey, especially as only 10 days before had reiterated its opposition to Ankara's accession to the EU.
This statement Merkel was before the EU proposal to Turkey an "action plan" to deal with the refugee crisis, which includes a "renewal" of the accession talks and the possibility to issue easier visas for Turks They want to travel to Europe.
Erdogan and the Justice and Development Party (AKP) have interest in avoiding seem that sold out to help ungrateful Europeans.
Turkish President taking this opportunity to strengthen its influence in Europe and Merkel. Moreover Friday again accused the EU dishonesty in terms of accession talks with Turkey.
In fact both Erdogan and Merkel knows that there is no possibility in the short term for Turkey to join the EU. But both have something to gain from the current session:
For German Chancellor confirmation by Turkey of its commitment in the Action Plan is important to limit the influx of refugees in the country and to reduce the pressure on Merkel at home even from her own party.
For the Turkish president, winning a pledge to speed up procedures to ensure that Turkish citizens can travel to the EU without a visa may strengthen the political view of the elections on November 1st. Alongside Turkey's accession in the list of 'safe countries' can help the country's tourism.
A German official said Wednesday that Berlin is willing to support the EU proposal to include Turkey in this list, which until now Germany faced cautiously because of human rights violations by Ankara and how facing the Kurdish minority.
But Merkel is under pressure not to sacrifice human rights for the benefit of European realpolitik.
"Merkel should put principle above politics in its discussions with the Turkish government," said Andrew Garner Amnesty International, which criticized the way in which Ankara is facing refugees.
