Chancellor Olaf Scholz welcomes Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan this Friday for a highly controversial visit to Germany. This visit comes after the Turkish president’s diatribes against Israel, which he accused of acting like a “terrorist” state in its war against Hamas.
The arrival of Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Germany arouses strong reactions in a country where the existence of the Jewish state is considered a “reason of state”, given Germany’s historical responsibility in the Shoah.
Despite criticism and pressure to cancel the visit, the German government maintained the invitation. According to the Chancellor’s spokesperson, it is sometimes necessary to discuss with “difficult partners”, even if the discussions promise to be “complicated”.
The visit is of particular importance for Germany because it is home to a large Turkish diaspora, a large majority of which supports Erdogan. In addition, the country counts on Turkey’s cooperation to manage the migratory flow from Afghanistan and Syria.
On the geopolitical level, Recep Tayyip Erdogan also plays an essential role. He was recently tapped to help resolve the conflict in Ukraine and is seen as a key player in preventing an escalation in the Middle East conflict. This is why dialogue with him is considered “important and urgent” by the head of German diplomacy Annalena Baerbock.
Despite tensions and disagreements, it is essential to maintain open lines of communication with controversial leaders. This helps promote dialogue and find peaceful solutions to international disputes. In short, this visit is a balancing act for Germany, which seeks to preserve its diplomatic interests while strongly condemning the controversial statements of Recep Tayyip Erdogan.