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Purveyor

(29,876 posts)
Fri Oct 20, 2017, 01:16 AM Oct 2017

Merkel: EU To Cut Aid To Turkey Over Democratic Backsliding

Source: ASSOCIATED PRESS

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS BRUSSELS — Oct 19, 2017, 7:38 PM ET

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said early Friday that European Union leaders have agreed to reduce financial assistance for helping Turkey get ready for possible EU membership due to that country's violations of the rule of law and human rights.

But Merkel also stressed that she wants to keep talking to Turkey and said there is no consensus among leaders of the 28-member bloc to completely end membership talks with Turkey, which have been underway since 2005.

Speaking at a summit in Brussels, Merkel criticized the "absolutely unsatisfying human rights situation" in Turkey, but said she wanted to "avoid a showdown" and does not wish "to break bridges" with the NATO country.

Merkel arrived at the summit Thursday saying she considers Turkey's developments on democracy "very negative, not only because many Germans are under arrest."

Read more: http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/merkel-eu-aid-cut-turkey-democratic-backsliding-50584997

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Merkel: EU To Cut Aid To Turkey Over Democratic Backsliding (Original Post) Purveyor Oct 2017 OP
Good! LeftInTX Oct 2017 #1
What it will do is help facilitate the growing Russian/Turkey alliance. They are Purveyor Oct 2017 #2
Hmmmm....I didn't know about that one LeftInTX Oct 2017 #3
Turkey have recently entered into several weapons purchase agreements with Moscow, Purveyor Oct 2017 #4
Edrogan just might be a bafoon.... Xolodno Oct 2017 #5
 

Purveyor

(29,876 posts)
2. What it will do is help facilitate the growing Russian/Turkey alliance. They are
Fri Oct 20, 2017, 09:39 AM
Oct 2017

becoming bff if reports I keep seeing are correct.

LeftInTX

(24,560 posts)
3. Hmmmm....I didn't know about that one
Fri Oct 20, 2017, 11:05 AM
Oct 2017

Turkey and Russia haven't gotten along for the last two hundred years.

In recent years there has been a Russian-Syrian alliance. Turkey and Syria don't get along.
But Russia has oil and that is a big factor in the Russian-Syrian alliance.
It also makes sense that Turkey would want some of the oil too.

 

Purveyor

(29,876 posts)
4. Turkey have recently entered into several weapons purchase agreements with Moscow,
Fri Oct 20, 2017, 07:06 PM
Oct 2017

the latest being the S-400 missile defense system.

At this rate I wouldn't be surprised to leave the NATO alliance...

Xolodno

(6,341 posts)
5. Edrogan just might be a bafoon....
Fri Oct 20, 2017, 11:39 PM
Oct 2017

...and we know how Putin uses bafoons.

Russia's centuries old goal...as it views itself as the third Rome, is to liberate Constantinople. Had the Soviet Revolution not occurred and stayed in the war, there would be no Istanbul.

If Turkey gets itself kicked out or walks out of NATO, they can count themselves screwed. Greece would almost immediately start a war...excuse me, aggravate a war AND request aid from a fellow Orthodox nation, Russia. Ankara would be forced to relinquish. Putin might be playing Edrogan like a balalaika.

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