CHANCELLOR SCHROEDER VISITS TURKEY

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 001275

SIPDIS


E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/02/2014
TAGS: GM PREL TU
SUBJECT: CHANCELLOR SCHROEDER VISITS TURKEY


REF: A. ANKARA 975

B. ANKARA 581


(U) Classified by Political Counselor John Kunstadter, E. O.
12958, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).



1. (C) Summary: Chancellor Schroeder's February 23-24 visit
to Turkey, the first by a German Chancellor in 11 years,
yielded vigorous-sounding assertions of support for Turkey's
EU aspirations. Amid good atmospherics, Schroeder urged the
Turks to keep on track on human rights and Cyprus. End
Summary.


"Surprisingly Clear" Support for Turkey's EU Aspirations



2. (U) Schroeder met on February 23 with PM Erdogan and
President Sezer, and then participated in an Erdogan-hosted
lunch. After economic and commercially-oriented meetings in
Istanbul, Schroeder participated with Erdogan in the opening
of a $1.5 billion power plant in Adana, Germany's largest
investment to date in Turkey.



3. (C) German Embassy Counselor Hassmann characterized
Schroeder's assertion of support for Turkey's EU aspirations
as "surprisingly clear." Saying he had not expected such a
clear expression of commitment to Turkish accession, Hassmann
speculated Schroeder was trying to draw a clear contrast
between himself and Turkey-skeptic CDU-CSU leader Angela
Merkel, who visited the previous week (ref A) and proposed a
version of EU association for Turkey. By contrast, Hassmann
said, Schroeder's statements in Turkey were designed to look
statesmanlike, decisive, and to re-invigorate Germany's
pro-Turkey camp. Turkish MFA Western Europe Department Head
Kemal Eruygur said that Schroeder specifically told Erdogan
Germany would not make any concessions to domestic opponents
of Turkish membership.



4. (U) In a joint press conference following his meeting
with PM Erdogan, Schroeder stated that "Germany supports
Turkey's wish to become an EU member" and "Turkey can most
definitely depend on Germany on the issue of support... I
think our vote, which will be based on the report of the
European Commission, is clear as well. Our vote is with
Turkey and for starting negotiations as soon as possible
provided the conditions are met."


Human Rights and Cyprus



5. (C) On human rights, Schroeder encouraged Turkey to keep
on track. According to Eruygur, Schroeder opined that Turkey
has mostly concluded satisfying the Copenhagen Criteria's
legal requirements. Both Hassmann and Eruygur said Schroeder
noted that some areas need improvement in practice, but
mentioned no specific areas or cases. On Cyprus, he told
Erdogan that Germany counts on Turkey continuing to use its
influence to help the parties reach a solution.


Good Atmospherics



6. (C) Hassmann said the visit's atmospherics were good;
there were no "uncomfortable" subjects in the private
discussions and the Turks consistently emphasized to the
Germans the visit's importance. Erdogan invited Schroeder to
fly to Adana in his private jet; Schroeder accepted. In
Adana, the GOT set up grandstands and for the opening and
thousands of spectators showed up, bussed in by the
government, Hassmann speculated.



7. (C) Comment: Both sides expected a positive visit (ref
B) -- and got it. Schroeder's comments, for instance to the
press, were nuanced, but the Turks now appear to consider
that, come December, the GOG will be solidly in the
pro-Turkey camp. End Comment.
EDELMAN