The rather unclear policy of the German government on arms exports to Turkey shows how complicated and yet closely the relationship of the two countries is Jens Thurau.
One of the German arms exports to Turkey in the past: Leopard 2A4 tanks
Germany exported after the Intervention of the Turks in Northern Syria now weapons to Ankara or not? Officially, the formulation of the Ministry of foreign Affairs is as follows: weapons that can be used in Syria, will not be delivered immediately. That is to say, however, that Already approved exports, and there are many. This is what distinguishes Turkey from Saudi Arabia, where the German government’s arms exports to the murder of critical journalist Jamal Khashoggi a year ago completely stopped. Also, experts suggest that most of the weapons, the Turkey gets this year from Germany, are intended for the naval forces. And not to be used in Northern Syria.
At the press conference in Berlin on Monday was noted by the representatives of the government, how happy are you, when the issue of arms exports by the above-described construction is not yet another site in the difficult German-added Turkish relationship. You can announce the show a bit flag, in line with other European countries, a ban on weapon exports, without the made really effective.
Around a third of all exports goes to Turkey
Fact is: After the Turkey had already become several times in the last few years, militarily active in Syria, have fallen to German arms exports more. But they are still, in the last year, the share amounted to around 240 million euros, around a third of all exports. And unlike in the US, where the armament factories produce a lot for the armed forces in their own country, work forging the German weapons primarily for Export. This is also why the government is struggling with the stop of arms deliveries. Furthermore, Turkey is still a Nato member.
DW editor Jens Thurau
On the other hand, it is post-war DNA only in the old Federal Republic and then of the United Germany, to collect everywhere, according to the voice against military adventures. In the case of Turkey, which then leads to this strange Verdruckstheit. Prefer to change nothing, the do not need to know everyone. This attitude is also reinforced by other factors: Up to 3.5 million Turks live in Germany, this is the by far the largest group of foreigners. It is estimated that up to 1.5 million Kurds in the country. The government fears that the conflict will be fought out on German soil. Sharp sounds against President Erdogan, the anxiety, may the favor. Turkey is also used: The EU-Turkey-refugee Pact is guaranteed, at least currently, not as early as 2015, many hundreds of thousands of refugees coming into the country.
If you want to be taken seriously
As the error could be: If the Turkish President Erdogan will not be made soon by the Europeans, also German, is clear that his actions in the North of Syria is causing harm, then it could be a lot of refugees heading to Europe. Stay in touch with the Turkish government, as the Germans want, is the right one. But vigorous political steps, such as also a General stop to the arms exports should not exclude the government anyway, for all times. Otherwise, the German takes on the Bosphorus anyway, none seriously.