Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan wants to get closer to the West again. “There is a favorable atmosphere for the revival of our accession process to the European region,” Erdogan said on the return flight from the NATO summit in Vilnius, according to his office.
Turkey wants “concrete results” soon in the talks with the EU, which should be conducted according to the “win-win principle”. He also sees a new dynamic in relations with the US.
The EU had already started accession negotiations with Turkey in 2005. However, these were put on hold a few years ago because Brussels saw unacceptable developments in the field of the rule of law. Turkey’s accession to the EU is currently considered unrealistic.
Erdogan needs money
Since the transition to a presidential system in 2018, Erdogan has had far-reaching powers. Parliament and institutions are weakened. Turkey also ignores rulings of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR). He had ordered the release of imprisoned cultural promoter Osman Kavala and opposition politician Selahattin Demirtas.
Observers also see economic motives in Erdogan’s move. Faced with massive inflation and reconstruction in the earthquake zone, Erdogan needs investment from the West.
Erdogan caused a scandal for the NATO summit
Erdogan caused a stir shortly before the NATO summit on Monday, as he surprisingly linked his approval of Sweden’s NATO membership to a resumption of EU accession negotiations. Erdogan gave up his blockade for the summit.
However, the Turkish parliament has yet to ratify the accession protocols and is unlikely to consider the issue until October.
Source: Krone
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