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"The successor will be appointed swiftly. We, as the European Union, continue to work with Turkey, Turkey is a key partner; it's a candidate country. We have re-energized our relationship," said Maja Kocijancic, a spokesperson for the European Commission, while reiterating the EU's pledge to galvanize the visa liberalization process for Turkey and spur accession talks in exchange for the success of the EU-Turkey migrant deal.
Hansjoerg, a German national, provoked the ire of Turkish officials last month for citing a proverbial expression "starting like a Turk and ending like a German" to illustrate the Turkish government's lackluster approach to fulfilling the 72 requirements the EU listed as conditions for a visa-free regime for Turks wanting to enter the Schengen zone, as stipulated in the roadmap drawn up back in 2013. "We have a proverb: 'To start like a Turk and end like a German,' but it has been just the opposite here. It started like a German and is being finished like a Turk," he said when speaking at a press conference on May 13.
The original saying alludes to the perception that Turkish people embark on new endeavors with strong enthusiasm, but lack the willpower to see them through. In contrast, Germans are stereotypically known for strict discipline and the ability to get a job done.
The comments added fuel to the heated debate over the fate of the controversial EU-Turkey migrant deal, which the EU sees as crucial for stemming the flow of refugees flooding the continent, a large number of whom travel through Turkey. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has repeatedly threatened to pull out of the agreement if visa-free access is not granted to Turkish citizens by July 1.
Comment: Because he will look bad at home? He already looks bad, really bad.
Comment: Germany, grasping for solutions, should know better. Erdogan has shown NO good faith, NO complying, NO compromise. He's a tyrant...and the big part of that word is RANT. Now that Turkey and Israel are new BFFs, what's the 'deal' with the EU? Turkey has its backup, and covert blackmail is an Israeli specialty.