Taking Turkey seriously

Carl Bildt, a former Prime Minister and Former Foreign Minister of Sweden writes of the reaction in the West to the 15 July 2016 attempted coup in Turkey - Make no mistake: the West’s attitude toward Turkey matters. Many Turks now feel rejected by a Europe that once inspired them.

If the coup had succeeded, Turkey would have descended into open civil war with no end in sight. The West’s lack of empathy during this traumatic period has been astonishing.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: High Representative/Vice-President Mogherini speaks to the Secretary-General of the Council of Europe Jagland following his visit to Turkey http://www.europeansources.info/showDoc?ID=1215311

ESO: Background information: Why Turkey’s Disapproval of the West’s Response to the Coup Has Limited Merit http://www.europeansources.info/record/why-turkeys-disapproval-of-the-wests-response-to-the-coup-has-limited-merit/

ESO: Background information: Turkish military claims to have taken control of the country / Coup attempt falters in Turkey http://www.europeansources.info/record/turkish-military-claims-to-have-taken-control-of-the-country-coup-attempt-falters-in-turkey/

ESO: Background information: Erdogan to meet Putin for a ‘new beginning’ http://www.europeansources.info/record/erdogan-to-meet-putin-for-a-new-beginning/

ESO: Background information: Erdogan starts dispute over migrant deal http://www.europeansources.info/record/erdogan-starts-dispute-over-migrant-deal/

ESO: Background information: Austrian chancellor wants EU to end accession talks with Turkey http://www.europeansources.info/record/austrian-chancellor-wants-eu-to-end-accession-talks-with-turkey/

ESO: Background information: Turkey’s Erdogan declares state of emergency after coup bid http://www.europeansources.info/record/turkeys-erdogan-declares-state-of-emergency-after-coup-bid/

ECFR: Commentary, 09.08.16: Friends again: Erdoğan meets Putin http://www.ecfr.eu/article/commentary_friends_again_erdoan_meets_putin7095

EurActiv, 22.08.16: [Opinion]: EU and Turkey: Time to act http://www.euractiv.com/section/global-europe/opinion/eu-and-turkey-time-to-act/

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