Meeting Turkey's Firecracker President in Berlin's Olympic Stadium
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (69), known for labeling Hamas terrorists as a liberation organization after the massacre of Israelis, is expected at Germany's Olympic Stadium on November 18 for the international clash between Germany and Turkey.
Erdogan, with his compatriots shouting upsetting anti-Semitic slogans across German streets in thousands, is an explosive figure. There's plenty to discuss with him, invited by the Chancellor, but his visit carries significant risks.
However, Erdogan's visit should not serve as a catalyst for further tensions. This was stressed during the Berlin-Ankara talks.
Avoiding Escalation
In practical terms, this means that Scholz and Erdogan won't share the VIP seats at the Olympic Stadium. The Chancellor never intended to be engrossed in celebrating goals while Hamas terrorists kept their hostages hostage, Israel continued to be attacked, and civilians lost their lives in Gaza.
Erdogan, seemingly, concurs with this standpoint. The German government anticipates Erdogan's absence in the stadium on November 18. This implies he won't incite anti-Israel protests among his supporters.
Social Agenda
Beyond the dinner at the Chancellery, the only confirmed event is a meeting between Erdogan and German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier (67) at Bellevue Palace, Steinmeier's official residence.
Historical Background
Despite the tense relationship between Hamas and Israel, Turkey's President has historically referred to Hamas as a liberation organization. This stance, deemed controversial in Gaza and Israel given Hamas's history of terror attacks, could shape discussions during the visit.
Enrichment Insights
- Defense Industry Cooperation:
- Deepening cooperation in defense industries is just one focus for both countries, aiming to strengthen their bilateral relations [1][2][5].
- Addressing Xenophobia and Islamophobia:
- A critical topic of conversation will be the situation of the Turkish community in Germany, including tackling racism, Islamophobia, and xenophobia [1][2].
- Regional Matters:
- Regional matters, such as the Syria conflict, Ukraine war, and the Gaza situation, will be discussed [2][3].
- EU Relations:
- Strengthening Türkiye-EU relations, covering topics like the Customs Union and visa liberalization, is crucial to both parties [2][3].
- Cultural, Economic, and Humanitarian Ties:
- The visit aims to enhance strong political, economic, humanitarian, and cultural ties between the two nations [2][3].
Potential Implications
- Heightened Cooperation:
- Stronger bilateral ties could stimulate involvement in defense, economy, and regional security [2][5].
- Fight against Racism and Islamophobia:
- The visit might prompt a stronger stance against racism and Islamophobia in Europe [1][2].
- Maintaining Regional Stability:
- Discussions on regional issues like Syria and Ukraine could help maintain regional stability and advance peace efforts [2].
- EU Membership Progress:
- Progress on stalled EU membership talks for Turkey might emerge from the visit [3].
Depending on current tensions, humanitarian issues in Gaza, or the Israeli-Palestinian conflict may surface during the visit. Although not explicitly stated, they are significant regional contexts that could affect the talks in Berlin [2][4].
