The columnist of the German newspaper Michael Martens describes in detail the maps presented by Devlet Bakhtseli with the Greek islands, up to Crete included in the Turkish territory
The German public opinion is informed by the correspondent and expert on Greek affairs, Michael Martens, about the Turkish territorial claims that have recently reached even as far as Crete. Her columnist Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung draws a parallel with Ukrainian. “One of the lessons from Russia’s attack on Ukraine is that, as difficult as it is, one must take seriously what authoritarians say — especially when they sound adventurous and absurd. Experts have often warned that speeches, Vladimir Putin’s texts and other statements reveal his will to destroy Ukraine. But they were not heard or taken seriously. But it is not too late to take seriously the threats of Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan and his cronies.”
Martens describes in detail the maps presented by Devlet Bakhceli with Greek islands, such as Lesvos, Chios, Creteand a dozen more, with the red color of the Turkish flag pointing out that this is “a clear message, especially since Bakhceli said just a few weeks ago that the islands, once part of the Ottoman Empire, had been stolen by her Turkey, so they must be returned to her ΄voluntarily or by force΄. What is worrying is that Bakhceli is not, as one might wish, some confused opposition mastermind, but a government partner and the one who ensured President Erdogan’s governing majority who never challenged the junior government partner for his revanchist appearance. , at least not publicly.”
The German columnist exposes developments known to a Greek audience, such as Cavusoglu’s threats of war if Greece does not demilitarize the islands. “One does not need to be a military expert to find this convincing. That Greece could launch an attack on Turkey from its islands is about as likely as it was in February that the Ukraine would invade Russia, that is, not at all.”
The Turk patient
The same newspaper hosts an article about Turkey, the “Turkish patient”, as is its title. In this, Burak Daglioglu, director of the Turkish Investment Agency, speaking to the newspaper, tries to convince that Turkey, despite the precipitation of the lira, remains an attractive destination for investments, “the power plant of the region”, as he characteristically calls it due to its geographical location, well-developed infrastructure, service “culture” and high labor supply.
An important article by Chancellor Soltz with many recipients inside and outside the country is hosted by the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung. An article food for thought just before Soltz starts his few days vacation. First finding: Imperialism has returned to Europe. “Many hoped that close economic ties and interdependence would ensure stability and security at the same time. Putin has now visibly destroyed that hope with his war against Ukraine. Russian missiles have not only caused massive destruction in KharkivMariupol and Kherson, but they destroyed the European and international peace order of the last decades” underlines Scholz, promising again that Germany will support Ukraine as long as necessary and in every way. At the same time, he is committed to complete but gradual energy independence The German chancellor even openly refers to the difficult path of de-dependence from Russian energy and what this means not only in Germany and the EU but worldwide.
“Rightfully in the past there have often been calls for the EU to become a geopolitical actor. An ambitious claim but a valid one. With the historic decisions of the last few months, the EU has taken a big step in this direction,” recalls Solz, referring specifically to its membership status of Ukraine and Moldova, but also the explicit and irrevocable decision “to finally make the prospect of joining the 6 countries of the Western Balkans a reality”. Scholz announced German proposals, including on immigration policy and building a European defense.
Put an end to national vetoes
“So far, the EU has reacted to the neo-imperialism of the Russian president Vladimir Putin with unprecedented determination and unity. But we must not stop there,” he underlines. “The permanent discord, the permanent difference of opinion between the member states weakens us. That is why Europe’s most important response to this turning point is unity. We must definitely maintain and deepen it. For me this means: No more selfish boycotts of European decisions by individual member states. An end to other national unilateral efforts that harm Europe as a whole. We can no longer afford national vetoes, for example in foreign policy, if we want to continue to belong to a world of great competing powers.”
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