Germany and Türkiye: Arms cooperation is flourishing - Eurofighter in sight!

Germany and Türkiye: Arms cooperation is flourishing - Eurofighter in sight!

Istanbul/Berlin – A remarkable change is emerging in the bilateral relations between Germany and Turkey, particularly in the area of ​​arms cooperation. After a conversation with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced that it was “a given” that Turkey, as a NATO partner, would receive German weapons systems. This openness to cooperation is even being extended to the possible delivery of Eurofighter fighter jets, marking a decisive shift in Germany's previous reluctance.

Before Scholz's second visit to Turkey during his term in office, it was announced that the federal government had already issued 69 permits for arms exports worth 103 million euros. These authorizations include, among other things, military equipment such as 28 torpedoes and 101 guided missiles. This is the first three-digit million amount of approved exports since 2011 and marks a significant change in direction, especially after the drastic reduction in arms sales following the failed military coup in Turkey in 2016.

Development of the Eurofighter talks

Chancellor Scholz emphasized that talks about the purchase of 40 Eurofighter fighter jets between Turkey and Great Britain are already underway. However, the jets, which are co-produced in Germany, also require the approval of the federal government. Erdogan expressed his satisfaction and emphasized the desire to finally put old conflicts in the field of defense products behind him.

Another step in the right direction is the revival of the German-Turkish government consultations, which have been suspended for the last nine years. Scholz described the resumption of these meetings as a “visible sign” of the quality of relations between the two countries.

Unclear results on migration

However, Scholz and Erdogan remained little specific on the sensitive issue of migration. The federal government has decided to deport more migrants without the right to remain, with Turkey being an important partner in this process. According to the federal government, 15,789 Turkish citizens were required to leave the country at the end of September, which represents an increase compared to the last few months. Interior Minister Nancy Faeser announced that Turkey had signaled its willingness to take back Turkish citizens more quickly, but concrete results were pending at the meeting.

The debate between Scholz and Erdogan on the subject of the Middle East was particularly revealing. The Turkish president accused Israel of genocide in the Gaza Strip in the direct presence of the Chancellor, which Scholz firmly rejected. The Chancellor made it clear that Germany does not share this assessment and emphasized the importance of international law, while also addressing the civilian victims on both sides.

With regard to the Ukraine crisis, Germany and Turkey announced that they would take joint steps. Turkey has emerged as an important partner because it maintains good relations with Russia. While Scholz emphasized that both countries are close to Ukraine, it remained unclear what specific measures could be taken to strengthen cooperation in this sensitive area.

Overall, the latest developments show that Germany and Turkey have a newfound interest in closer cooperation, both in the military field and on other political issues. However, the question remains how this relationship will develop in the context of current geopolitical challenges. Based on his previous stance, Scholz could be forced to navigate both internal and international challenges while keeping an eye on the interests and security concerns for both countries. Further details on this topic are in a current article from www.radioenneperuhr.de to read.