Turkey and EU

Something dire is happening within NATO in Brussels and Ankara, which is worrisome because Turkey is the second largest military power in that alliance. It is not Montenegro, Jan Oberg, Director of the Foundation for Peace and Future Research, told RT.

Germany has begun the process of withdrawing its troops from the Incirlik Air Base in southern Turkey, from where German troops have been carrying out reconnaissance missions as part of the US-led coalition’s campaign in Syria and Iraq. The move follows tensions with Ankara.

Germany is “committing suicide” by not letting him to speak to Turks during the G20 summit, Turkey’s president has charged. Recep Tayyip Erdogan also says he will continue to view Germany as a terrorist haven until it surrenders alleged Fethullah Gulen supporters.

The 28 NATO member states have reportedly agreed that military cooperation with non-members can be approved on a country-by-country basis after alliance member Turkey put a veto on Austria’s participation and froze out 40 other partner states in the process.

In a widening diplomatic rift between Turkey and the EU, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has made a new provocative statement saying that the “collapsing” Europe “will pay” for “humiliating” and “oppressing” Turks living on the continent.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has announced plans to hold a “Brexit-like” referendum on whether Ankara should carry on with a process to join the European Union, amid strained relations with its western partners.