Burbok to Ankara: Problems to be solved through talks, not escalation of tension

The German Foreign Minister will deliver a stern message to Ankara. Analena Burbok, ahead of her visits to Greece and Turkey.

“Problems must be resolved through talks, not by escalating the tension,” is the message of the German foreign minister in Ankara, according to her statement ahead of her visits to Greece and Turkey. In the same statement Mrs. Burbock, who will visit our country tomorrow, describes Greece as “one of Germany’s closest partners” in Europe and speaks of Greece’s “enormous work” in securing the EU’s external borders and reception of refugees, stressing that this project “deserves all our solidarity”.

“The cohesion of NATO allies has never been more important than at this time, when Russia is not only planning the subjugation of Ukraine as a sovereign country, but is also trying with every means to divide our Alliance,” says Mrs. Burbock and underlines that for her it is important to make her first trip to Greece and Turkey “especially now finally”.

In Greece I am visiting one of our closest partners in Europe

“In Greece I am visiting one of our closest partners in Europe – in supporting Ukraine, in our European resistance to Russia’s attack, but also in the fight against the climate crisis and in the decisive promotion of renewable energy sources”, continues Mrs. Burbok, while also referring to the atrocities of the Nazis against the Greeks during the Second World War: “For many Germans, Greece is very familiar as a holiday destination, but very few know the extent of the responsibility that rests on Germany due to the horrific acts committed there by the Nazi occupation in World War II,” he notes, adding: “For me it’s important to keep the memory alive – because this is the condition for a good common future”.

When it comes to guarding the EU’s external borders, the German foreign minister explains that she wants to hear on the ground what we need to do as an EU to keep our common external borders safe – and also for the people who seek refuge in us with risk of their lives. “The work which what Greece accomplishes for all of us is hugehe deserves all our solidarity”, he points out.
Referring to the security in the Mediterranean, Analena Burbok emphasizes that it will be an important topic in the talks she will have in Istanbul and Ankara. “Our message will also be there: problems must be resolved through talks, not escalation,” she said in her statement.

Turkey is an essential partner and is connected to our country like no other country

Mrs. Burbok clarifies that “Turkey is a necessary partner and is connected to our country like no other country. The heart of millions beats for both countries. That’s why it’s important to me that we don’t drift further apart politically. As in any close relationship, we will talk openly: for Turkey’s mediation in the Black Sea, which brings a ray of hope for millions of people, that an even worse hunger crisis can be avoided, for joint planning in NATO.” But he emphasizes at the same time that he will also raise the issues in the neighbor “partially fundamental differences”: human rights, the implementation of obligations as a member of the Council of Europe. “And here we will have to make sure that our paths converge again.”

The German Foreign Minister was originally going to visit Greece and Turkey in early June, but canceled her trip as she contracted the coronavirus.

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