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Outcome of negotiations on Turkey's accession to EU uncertain
Merkel observed that the ongoing accession process was approved by the European Union and that she will continue the negotiations begun by the previous government even though her party would have preferred privileged partner status for Turkey.
"There is a principle we follow in government: pacta sunt servanda. If a previous government and the EU decided to initiate accession negotiations with Turkey, then it is our duty to follow through on that," Merkel commented on ARD television.
Turkey must recognize Cyprus
Accession negotiations with Turkey began on October 3, 2005. A major stumbling block is Turkish recognition of Cyprus. Thus far Ankara recognizes only Turkish northern Cyprus.
Photo: REGIERUNGonline/Bergmann
Wreath-laying at the Atatürk Mausoleum.
Merkel referred to the Ankara Protocol, saying it was agreed there to extend the tariff union between the EU and Turkey to all new member states, including Cyprus, and that the European Union insists that Turkey open up its seaports and airports to Cypriot ships and planes.
"It goes without saying that if EU member states are to cooperate with each other that this includes free trade and access to seaports and airports," Merkel indicated.
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan commented in Ankara that this is a two-way street and that the EU needs to lift its trade sanctions on northern Cyprus: "As long as this isolation continues we will not be able to open up our seaports and airports."
The Finnish EU presidency is attempting to mediate in this conflict and the German government is supporting these efforts.
The European Commission is scheduled to issue its next progress report on November 9. The EU will decide on the further conduct of negotiations on the basis of this report.
Intercultural dialogue
Turkey is an Islamic society with a modern and democratic system of government. More than two million persons of Turkish origin live in Germany. Given this situation, Germany and Turkey are particularly well suited to work together to promote intercultural dialogue. "Feelings of unfamiliarity arise simply because we don't know enough about each other," Merkel remarked.
Merkel referred to the "Ernst Reuter Initiative" launched by the German and Turkish foreign ministries with a view to promoting academic, scientific, and cultural cooperation.
She took advantage of her visit to meet with Turkish religious leaders. Together with Erdogan she spoke with the Patriarch of Constantinople (Orthodox Church), the Mufti of Istanbul (Islam), the Chief Rabbi, and the Armenian Patriarch of Istanbul and All Turkey.
She noted that a dialogue between the German government and Islamic organizations in Germany had been initiated the previous week in a permanent conference on Islam. She also proposed the creation of a German-Turkish university.
Learning German key to integration
Merkel and Erdogan discussed the status of the large Turkish ethnic community in Germany. They agreed that learning German is a prerequisite for integration and that there needs to be institutionalized training of Islamic religious teachers (imams) in Germany. Interior Minister Wolfgang Schäuble is currently conducting a dialogue with Islamic organizations in this matter.
There is a high level of unemployment in Germany's Turkish community, in many cases a consequence of educational deficits. In view of the current demographic trend, Germany can simply not afford not to integrate young people of Turkish origin into the workforce, Merkel indicated.
Erdogan has pledged to help promote the integration of Germany's Turkish population. Merkel noted that support from the Turkish side can be very helpful in this difficult process, adding that she is particularly pleased by Erdogan's initiative to offer German courses in Turkey for persons planning to get married to partners living in Germany.
Expanding economic relations
Merkel and Erdogan appeared at a German-Turkish economic forum in Istanbul that was attended by business leaders from across the country. Merkel was accompanied to Turkey by an trade delegation made up of twenty persons.
Turkey has a dynamic economy. In 2005 it showed growth of 7.9 percent and the overall volume of its trade with Germany was around 21 billion dollars. The President of the Federation of German Industries (BDI), Jürgen Thumann, estimates the potential for trade between the two countries to be more than 60 billion euros. Turkey's tariff union with the European Union is now ten years old.
Merkel encouraged German industry to invest in Turkey, noting in passing that it only takes a day to found a company in Turkey and this is something she would wish to see in Germany as well.
Promoting smooth trade relations
A number of specific problems were addressed and solutions offered. By way of example, an accelerated procedure for the processing of trade-related visa applications is to be introduced at the German Embassy in Ankara.
The size of the road transport quota for Turkish goods was also on the agenda. The transport ministers of the two countries had met last December to discuss this matter. As a result, the quota was raised by 30 percent. Merkel noted that if this is not enough she will seek another increase at the European level.
She underscored a further important aspect of German-Turkish economic relations, i.e. the fact that there are 64,000 Turkish businesses in Germany, all of whom are contributing to the economy and providing jobs.
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