BERLIN: recent series of events has set off a quasi-reconciliation process between Turkey and Germany. Inundated by a great number of issues and crises over the course of the last one-and-a-half years, the two countries now strive to salvage the marred ties. Besides bilateral matters, the skirmish between Ankara and Berlin spilled over across the European Union. The process of updating the customs union between Turkey and the 28-nation bloc is an outstanding example. Signed and sealed in 1995, the Turkish-EU customs union went into effect as of Jan.1, 1996. Nearly 22 years into the agreement, the changing world order and modern realities require comprehensive changes. Yet, there is an obstacle. “I can’t imagine that the EU negotiations with Turkey about the customs union could be extended,” said Sigmar Gabriel, German foreign minister, in July when he also announced a variety of other sanctions against Ankara due to the strained political ties.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel does not think otherwise at all. “I do not see that we can give a mandate in the upcoming months to discuss the customs union as long as the situation is as it is now,” she said in late August.
“The situation” has evolved over time though. The informal meeting between Gabriel and his Turkish counterpart Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu on Nov. 4 in the Turkish province of Antalya was an example. Furthermore, the German Foreign Ministry said last week that a desire exists “to stay in close contact from both sides and, step-by-step, to rebuild trust.”
In spite of the recent glimmer of hope for return to good old times, it seems the issue of updating the customs union will linger on. “An extension of the customs union between the European Union and Turkey is currently not on the agenda,” a spokesperson for the German Economy Ministry told Daily Sabah, pointing to the rule of law.
The spokesperson said implementation of the rule of law is of utmost significance for the German government. “Respect for the rule of law is a central concern for us as it is the basis for good economic relations,” the official said.
Berlin’s insistence on forcing Brussels to halt the customs union upgrade is interpreted by many as taking the update hostage due to political spats with Ankara. “It is fixated on the Turkish-German crisis,” said Can Baydarol, an academic and expert on Turkish-EU relations. “It is safe to say that is a German Union rather than European Union nowadays. They use their influence over the eurozone in all political areas,” he said.
The Turkish government believes that an up-to-date customs union agreement would benefit both Ankara and Brussels. Customs and Trade Minister Bülent Tüfenkci said last week it is “win-win for both sides.”
The current status of the agreement does not include agriculture, services and public procurement sectors. Moreover, Turkey cannot be part of any deal that the European Union strikes with third parties.
