MFA VIEWS VISIT OF GERMAN OPPOSITION LEADERS AS

UNCLAS ANKARA 001287 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/SE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM TU SUBJECT: MFA VIEWS VISIT OF GERMAN OPPOSITION LEADERS AS POSITIVE REF: ANKARA 975 ¶1. (U) Kemalettin Eruygur, chief of the MFA Deputy Directorate General for Western Europe, told us March 1 that he believes the February 15-17 visit to Turkey of German opposition CDU-CSU opposition leaders Angela Merkel and Wolfgang Schauble was helpful for both sides, although neither side shifted from its position regarding Turkey's EU candidacy. Merkel and Schauble had not visited Turkey before, and were clearly unfamiliar with the country, so the visit was an opportunity for them to learn about Turkey and meet some of the GOT leaders behind the EU-related legislative reforms. This cable is a follow-up to reftel, in which we reported the German Embassy view of the visit. ¶2. (U) In his meeting with Merkel and Schauble, PM Erdogan flatly rejected the idea of a "privileged partnership" between the EU and Turkey, advocated by the German opposition leaders as an alternative to full membership. The PM argued that Turkey, as a member of the EU Customs Union, already enjoys a privileged partnership. The GOT's reform efforts are aimed at nothing less than full membership. At the same time, Eruygur said, Erdogan emphasized that he knows the EU at the December Summit will decide only on the question of whether to set a date to begin accession talks with Turkey. Turkey's accession to the EU is years away. When the time comes, the EU will have an opportunity to judge Turkey's performance and determine whether it fully meets membership criteria. ¶3. (U) Merkel told Erdogan she is impressed by the legislative reforms adopted by the Turkish Parliament over the past two years, and does not doubt Turkey's ability to meet EU membership criteria. However, she questioned the EU's ability to absorb a large country like Turkey with such a distinct culture. It is important for the EU to maintain good relations with Turkey. However, EU membership for Turkey might not be the best option for either side. Merkel said she does not necessarily oppose starting accession talks with Turkey, but argued that both sides should accept the possibility that the talks will lead to something less than full membership. Eruygur said Merkel and Schauble did not define their concept of a privileged partnership. ¶4. (U) Eruygur said Merkel appeared to be breaking new ground politically by saying she is not opposed to starting accession talks with Turkey. She clearly wanted to deliver the message that she is not anti-Turkish. Eruygur opined that her position seems entirely based on internal German politics -- i.e., she is addressing the concerns of German voters concerned about the economy and fearful that EU membership for Turkey will lead to an overwhelming influx of Turkish migrants. EDELMAN