Time to start talking Turkey with Erdoğan

The departure of Ahmet Davutoğlu as Turkish Prime Minister in May 2016 meant that the German government was forced to think more clearly about its other policies to curb irregular migration into Europe, and Germany, in case the Turkey deal fell apart.

Chancellor Angela Merkel needed a set of policy alternatives that she can build on if Erdoğan does, in fact, let her down (not terribly likely), or if he continued to raise the price tag (more likely), strengthening the voice of her critics at home and in Europe as a whole.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Greek ‘Plan B’ reported, if EU-Turkey deal collapses http://www.europeansources.info/record/greek-plan-b-reported-if-eu-turkey-deal-collapses-erdogan-says-he-wants-visa-waiver-by-october-turkey-eu-trade-barbs-over-visa-free-travel-conditions/

ESO: Information Guide: European Migration Challenges http://www.europeansources.info/record/information-guide-european-migration-challenges/

ESO: Background information: Turkey’s relations with Europe are in flux following Ahmet Davutoğlu’s resignation http://www.europeansources.info/record/turkeys-relations-with-europe-are-in-flux-following-ahmet-davutoglus-resignation/

ESO: Background information: Germany and EU reject protests over song mocking Erdogan http://www.europeansources.info/record/germany-and-eu-reject-protests-over-song-mocking-erdogan/

Spiegel Online International, 13.05.16: Refugee Wrangling: Merkel's Deal with Turkey in Danger of Collapse http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/merkel-refugee-deal-with-turkey-in-danger-of-failure-a-1092331.html

---