중동부유럽

The term “partnership” in German has a strictly business connotation without any hint of friendship or affection. A partner is someone with whom you participate, a teilnehmer; partnership is an open business relationship, offene Handelsgesellschaft. While the term can extend to a partner on a sports team, a colleague, or even a marriage, its neutral meaning is what is intended in this discussion of the contemporary Germany-Turkey relationship. Although there is little warmth or identification in this partnership today, it is founded on real mutual interests and dependencies that are more important than the lack of common values or mutual admiration. Germany and Turkey have a special relationship unique among European countries, as they are linked by the large population of people of Turkish origin living in Germany, which totals 3 million people. Add to this an extensive economic relationship and important strategic concerns, especially regarding refugee flows, and the result is two closely interwoven polities. Yet today, these interests are under greater stress than at any time in the past decade, as the gap in national values and identification has widened. A recent public opinion poll in Germany indicates that Turkey ranks lowest in trust as a partner among eight key countries, and the clashes at the highest levels of government have been unprecedented.