The European Union came down on threats to call for a boycott of French goods after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s publication of offensive cartoons in France and his official support.
The European Commission has said that the Turkish president’s support for a boycott of French goods will push Turkey further away from joining the European Union.
A spokesman for the European Commission said in a statement that boycotting the goods of any member country is against the spirit of the Union Treaty.
The Commission says that the official boycott by Turkey is a violation of the terms of relations between Turkey and the European Union.
It should be noted that Turkey applied to join the European Union in 1987 and officially started negotiations for joining the Union in 2005, but currently the negotiations are at a standstill.
Learn more: The Turkish President orders a complete boycott of French products in Turkey
It should be noted that after the publication of blasphemous cartoons by the French President Emmanuel Macron, a series of protests against France has started around the world and a campaign to boycott French products is underway in Muslim countries.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said in his speech at the Milad-ul-Nabi conference on Saturday that France is currently ruled by a mentally disabled person who is desecrating and defaming the religion of Islam.
He appealed to the nation that the Turkish nation should boycott French products.
Earlier, he advised the French president to undergo a ‘mental examination’, in response to which France recalled its ambassador from Turkey.
On these statements of the Turkish President, the European countries, which are already angry about Turkey’s gas exploration in the Black Sea, are more shocked.
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**Interview with Dr. Elena Korovitch, European Affairs Analyst**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Korovitch. There’s been significant tension following Turkish President Erdogan’s call for a boycott of French products. Can you explain the context behind Erdogan’s statement?
**Dr. Korovitch:** Certainly. President Erdogan’s call for a boycott came in reaction to offensive cartoons published in France, which he perceives as an attack on Islam and Turkish identity. His stance aims to rally domestic support by portraying himself as a defender of Muslim beliefs against Western criticism.
**Interviewer:** The European Commission has responded quite sternly to this situation. What implications does this have for Turkey’s relationship with the EU?
**Dr. Korovitch:** The European Commission’s statement is significant. By emphasizing that a boycott is contrary to the spirit of the Union Treaty, they are indicating that such actions will only further alienate Turkey from any prospects of EU membership. Relations between Turkey and the EU are already strained, and this could be a decisive factor.
**Interviewer:** What other factors contribute to the deteriorating relationship between Turkey and the EU beyond this boycott?
**Dr. Korovitch:** Several factors are at play. There are ongoing concerns regarding Turkey’s human rights record, its military actions in various regions, and the management of its internal political situation. The recent tensions over migration and energy explorations in the Eastern Mediterranean also exacerbate these issues.
**Interviewer:** Do you think the boycott will have a tangible impact on French businesses or the broader EU economy?
**Dr. Korovitch:** While an official boycott may gain traction among certain groups in Turkey, the overall impact on French businesses might be limited. France has diversified trade relationships, and many French companies can adapt to shifting consumer patterns. However, this does underline the larger geopolitical tensions at play, and it’s a signal of how trade is increasingly interwoven with political relations.
**Interviewer:** Lastly, how might these events influence future diplomatic conversations between Turkey and the EU?
**Dr. Korovitch:** This incident is likely to lead to even more cautious and deliberate diplomatic conversations. The EU might push back harder against Turkey’s more aggressive postures, while Turkey may temper its criticisms to avoid further isolation. Future discussions will need to focus on finding common ground to address these escalating tensions.
**Interviewer:** Thank you for your insights, Dr. Korovitch. It’s a complex and evolving situation, and we appreciate your perspective.
**Dr. Korovitch:** Thank you for having me. It’s important to keep a close eye on how these dynamics unfold.
