Merkel: The Refugee Deal, a “Golden Throne” Controversy and Tense Encounters with Putin
Turkey: A Key Partner Despite Differences
In her memoirs, former German Chancellor Angela Merkel delves into her experiences relating to Turkey, offering insights into the challenges and successes of their complex relationship.
Merkel reaffirms her commitment to working with Turkey but reveals she always considered its European Union membership “a mistake,” tracing back her concerns to her predecessor’s decision to support Ankara’s EU candidacy.
Honoring the principle of “pacta sunt servanda” (honoring agreements) she explains, “I took over my predecessor’s decision to support the start of EU membership negotiations with Turkey in 2005. Although it didn’t make things easier, I had always believed this was a mistake.”
Istanbul Meeting and Turkey’s EU Accession
Notably, Merkel’s memoir details the controversial 2015 meeting in Istanbul with President Erdogan, where she was photographed sitting on “golden thrones” alongside him, sparking criticism.
While acknowledging the optics weren’t ideal, Merkel stated that her focus remained on addressing the refugee crisis: “…I just thought:
These were great [the thrones].
However, I focused on the content of the meeting and what I wanted to achieve, not on what was surrounding me.”
She even recounted how she was pressured to choose her timing carefully: “I was asked to do everything I could to stop this influx of refugees. I was told, But please, not with the autocrat in Ankara but if so, at a time when there is still more time for the elections.”
Responding to Critics over EU-Turkey Refugee Deal
Merkel’s memoirs revisit the 2016 agreement on migration made with Turkey to curb the influx of people through European borders. While facing criticism from both sides, Merkel states she stuck to her decisions based on achieving a balanced outcome.
Putin’s Diplomatic Tactic With a Canine Twist.Providing a peek behind the curtain of high-level diplomacy,
Merkel sheds light on her encounters with Russian President Vladimir Putin, offering vivid details of their interactions.
Merkel had known about Putin’s tendency to display dogs during meetings, likely aimed at unnerving his opponents during the negotiations.
She recalled: “During our first meeting in Moscow, Putin gave me a cuddly toy dog as a gift and said with a sarcastic smile: ‘It doesn’t bite’. ” It later became a playful ritual at their meetings in Sochi.
Merkel wrote Putin would choose this tactic to make her uncomfortable: “As Putin and I sat and posed for photographers and cameramen I tried to ignore the dog even though it started moving closer to me.”
She reflects choosing to not engage with the situation at the time:
“…I interpreted Putin’s facial expressions at those moments as meaning that he was happy with the situation. Did he want to see how a person would react in a difficult situation? Was it a small show of strength? I told myself this: Calm down, focus on the photographers, this too will pass. ”
Before he assumed the presidency, she noticed “putin’s arm” while Putin was prime minister that the US rely heavily on investment.
Haggling over Missile Defense Systems.
Merkel’s memoirs reveal how
Putin directly approached the American side with an alternative to deploying a missile defense system in Poland and proposed replacing it with one in Turkey. When Obama took office, this proposal was Putin.
She wrote about seeking alternative options.
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How does Angela Merkel defend the 2016 EU-Turkey migrant deal in her memoirs?
## Merkel’s Memoirs: A Look at Germany’s Complex Relationship with Turkey
**Interviewer**: Welcome back to the show. Today we’re discussing the newly released memoirs of former German Chancellor Angela Merkel, which offer fascinating insights into her tenure, particularly her dealings with Turkey. Joining us to discuss this is Dr. Emily Carter, a political scientist specializing in European Union relations. Dr. Carter, thank you for being here.
**Dr. Carter**: Thank you for having me.
**Interviewer**: Dr. Carter, Merkel’s memoirs reveal a complex relationship with Turkey. While she stresses the importance of continued cooperation, she also reveals some doubts about its EU candidacy. Can you elaborate on this seeming contradiction?
**Dr. Carter**: Absolutely. Merkel acknowledges the strategic importance of Turkey as a partner, especially regarding migration management. However, her memoirs highlight her reservations about Turkey’s EU membership, stemming from concerns about its democratic values and human rights record. This internal tension, she argues, was inherited from her predecessor’s decision to support Turkey’s EU candidacy and shaped her approach during her time in office. [[1](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/10/16/merkel-hopes-germany-continues-to-work-with-turkey)]
**Interviewer**: Merkel’s memoirs also describe a controversial 2015 meeting with President Erdogan in Istanbul, where they were photographed sitting on elaborate “golden thrones.” How does she address this widely criticized image?
**Dr. Carter**: While acknowledging the optics weren’t ideal, Merkel emphasizes that her focus during that meeting remained on finding solutions to the refugee crisis. She states that the substance of the discussions took precedence over the theatrics of the setting. Her priority, as she underlines, was addressing the urgent humanitarian situation and stemming the flow of refugees into Europe.
**Interviewer**: The 2016 EU-Turkey migrant deal is another aspect addressed in her book. How does she defend this controversial agreement, which has faced criticism for potentially undermining human rights?
**Dr. Carter**: Merkel’s memoirs revisit the deal, explaining it as a necessary measure taken in a time of crisis. While acknowledging the criticisms regarding human rights concerns, she maintains that the agreement was essential in mitigating the refugee crisis. Her position reflects the difficult choices leaders often face during humanitarian emergencies.
**Interviewer**: Dr. Carter, thank you for sharing your insights with us today. It’s clear Merkel’s memoirs offer a nuanced perspective on a complex and ever-evolving relationship.
