A shifting geopolitical landscape is prompting renewed German interest in Turkey as a potential economic hub, particularly as companies reassess their reliance on China, according to former German Ambassador to Turkey, Martin Erdmann. Speaking to Focus magazine, Erdmann suggested Turkey could increasingly serve as an alternative production base for German firms, especially if relations with China further deteriorate – a trajectory he believes is increasingly likely.
Erdmann’s assessment highlights a complex and increasingly critical German calculation. While acknowledging Turkey’s strategic importance, particularly concerning the reconstruction of Syria, the repatriation of refugees and the ongoing migration agreement, he also underscored a growing divergence between Turkey and European standards. The recent imprisonment of Istanbul’s former mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu, serves as a stark example of this distance, raising serious concerns about the rule of law and democratic processes within Turkey.
Despite this worrying trend, Erdmann insisted cooperation with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan remains essential for Germany. This pragmatic, albeit uncomfortable, stance is reportedly influencing Berlin’s approach, with other European partners seemingly willing to overlook Turkey’s increasingly problematic human rights record to maintain lines of communication with Ankara. This willingness to prioritize economic and geopolitical interests over democratic values raises questions about the consistency of European policy toward Turkey and the potential for tacitly enabling authoritarian practices under the guise of strategic necessity. The delicate balance between maintaining engagement and addressing fundamental concerns about Turkey’s trajectory presents a significant and ongoing challenge for German and European policymakers.