German-Turkish Relations
I - INTRODUCTION
Turkish - German relations were always crucial for the two countries throughout the history. However, in this paper I will focus on the most volatile and tense era between the countries. Germany and Turkey both officially and publicly were distant to each other. We can relate the tensions into three main spheres; international, internal and bilateral.
Firstly, when we look at the international sphere, with the end of the cold-war the whole world order has changed. With the emergence of new countries (CEEC's), the lift of the threat of Soviet Union, Turkey's importance in the eyes of the Germany has declined. Moreover, the increasing roles of NGO's and shift from the high security to low security issues had effected the relations by the activists, public and the media. New threats and solutions emerged.
Secondly, in the internal sphere on the one hand, Germany was under the burden of the unification. In addition the government in Germany has relatively negative attitudes towards Turkey in E.U. Moreover, Turks in Germany were increasing permanently. On the other hand, Turkey was dealing with the terror in the eastern and southeastern regions. The economic crises hit Turkey, resulting in 100% devaluation. The "politicized Islam" was another threat to Turkey's stability and prosperity.
Thirdly and most importantly, from Turkish point of view the lack of cooperation of Germany in the PKK issues, its reluctance in Turkey's accession to E.U; and from German point of view, Turkish constant violation of human rights and over reactions to the E.U. decisions have worsened the relationship. In addition, Turks in Germany always stand out as an important factor in Turkish German relations.
To analyze the Turkish German relations after 1990, one should first look at the historical background of the relations to understand the dynamics.
II- HISTORY OF TURKISH - GERMAN RELATIONS
Turkish German relations dates back to 800 hundred years.
Turkish - German relations were always crucial for the two countries throughout the history. However, in this paper I will focus on the most volatile and tense era between the countries. Germany and Turkey both officially and publicly were distant to each other. We can relate the tensions into three main spheres; international, internal and bilateral.
Firstly, when we look at the international sphere, with the end of the cold-war the whole world order has changed. With the emergence of new countries (CEEC's), the lift of the threat of Soviet Union, Turkey's importance in the eyes of the Germany has declined. Moreover, the increasing roles of NGO's and shift from the high security to low security issues had effected the relations by the activists, public and the media. New threats and solutions emerged.
Secondly, in the internal sphere on the one hand, Germany was under the burden of the unification. In addition the government in Germany has relatively negative attitudes towards Turkey in E.U. Moreover, Turks in Germany were increasing permanently. On the other hand, Turkey was dealing with the terror in the eastern and southeastern regions. The economic crises hit Turkey, resulting in 100% devaluation. The "politicized Islam" was another threat to Turkey's stability and prosperity.
Thirdly and most importantly, from Turkish point of view the lack of cooperation of Germany in the PKK issues, its reluctance in Turkey's accession to E.U; and from German point of view, Turkish constant violation of human rights and over reactions to the E.U. decisions have worsened the relationship. In addition, Turks in Germany always stand out as an important factor in Turkish German relations.
To analyze the Turkish German relations after 1990, one should first look at the historical background of the relations to understand the dynamics.
II- HISTORY OF TURKISH - GERMAN RELATIONS
Turkish German relations dates back to 800 hundred years.