Die EU, Afrin und der Flüchtlingsdeal
Seth J. Franzmann erklärt, was das dröhnende Schweigen der EU zu Afrin mit dem Flüchtlingsdeal zu tun hat:
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So the real story behind European silence about Afrin is due to the refugee issue. European leaders fear the rise of populist right wing politics. They have been basically paying Turkey to keep the refugees out. If Turkey will resettle Syrians in Afrin and adjoining areas that will take pressure off of European states. So Afrin in many ways is a European Union operation. Civilians in Afrin paid the price so the EU states don’t have to be burdened by other refugees. Silence by EU states is a form of support. But it goes deeper than that. Because European politicians are afraid of the ramifications of any challenge to Turkey because they have huge vested interests in millions of refugees remaining in Turkey.
Nevertheless that does not mean that Turkey and EU have good relations. The nature of the bizarre financial deal, which is likely contrary to international law of refugees, is such that the EU and Turkey are not equals. The EU is paying Turkey to do the work it doesn’t want to do. It is using Turkey. A Dutch diplomat recently was packed up and sent home after Turkish media accused him of spying.
Turkey expects “constructive attitude” from the EU, according to The Daily Sabah. Erdogan has also said EU expansion without including Turkey would be a grave mistake. The Prime Minister has also said the EU is not acting fairly. So Turkey says it is also unhappy with the deal. This keeps the ball in the EU court and the EU feels it needs to satisfy Turkish grievances, rather than critique the Afrin operation and provoke Ankara."