Today’s Zaman, Turkey
May 27 2008
German Ambassador: AK Party government is a secular one
German Ambassador Dr. Eckart Cuntz has served in Ankara during the
tensest years of recent Turkish domestic policy.
During his term, Germany held the presidency of the European Union and
opened three chapters in Turkey’s EU negotiations. His term was not
easy but these difficulties made Mr. Cuntz one of the favorite
ambassadors of the Turkish press. A source of this magnetism for
microphones is likely his readiness to comment on Turkish
politics. Today’s Zaman spoke to the German Ambassador about the
closure case filed against the Justice and Development Party (AK
Party) and economic relations of Turkey and Germany. The European
response to the closure case filed against the AK Party was criticized
by certain circles in Turkey as an intervention into domestic
affairs. How was the issue perceived in Germany?
Let me remind you that at a very early stage the German government
made a statement making it clear that we were concerned by the
situation and that we trusted the court would apply the European
criteria for this case. We expressed our hope that the future of
democracy would be an important element in the judgment that is to
follow. We have expressed concerns, but at the same time also
confidence in Turkey’s institutions. We have already seen in the past
that Turkey has overcome several crises. We believe that the Turkish
institutions will be aware of their responsibility for the future of
this country.
Germany is a very close friend and ally of Turkey. That is why we
think that a strong Turkey that is well aware of the importance of its
stability is necessary not only for Turkey, but also for the
region. We have also said that the proceedings of this court case
should not blockade reforms and we encouraged the government to
continue being active in the international scene.
How do you see the performance of the government in that sense?
It may be too early to state and have an analysis of all these
reforms, but I think the very fact that the government has expressed
their decision to go on with the reforms and that soon after the
closure case they made the decision on Article 301 is a positive
sign. We have also seen that Turkey did not remain inactive in the
international scene. I might quote the efforts of Turkey to mediate
between Israel and Syria. This should be considered a most important
step and, as it is publicized by both sides, I would also like to say
on the behalf of Germany that this is a very positive initiative by
Turkey. This has obviously been prepared for some time already, but
now it is passing to a more concrete phase. We all know how difficult
it is to bring about talks between conflicting sides. Germany is also
involved in similar mediations, but we do fully recognize Turkey’s
role in this one. We also know that Turkey tried to bring about
reconciliation in Lebanon, too. We have equally praised Turkey’s
readiness for dialogue with Armenia and its preparedness to use the
window of opportunity for the reunification of Cyprus.
Germany is the foremost economic partner of Turkey if we take oil
exports out of the figures. Were the economic relations influenced by
the closure case?
First of all, you are right. Germany is the most important economic
partner of Turkey. This is true especially if you take into account
that the Turkish goods we import promote the whole industrial sectors
in Turkey. Secondly the biggest number of foreign companies investing
in Turkey is from Germany. When I arrived here two years ago we had
some 2,200 German companies who had invested here; two years later we
have more than 3,300. And these are not only big companies like
Siemens, Mercedes, Mann, Bosch and Hugo Boss, but also a lot of small
and medium-size companies. These companies play an important role in
creating new jobs. Total German investment is increasing 30 percent a
year and this is not an exception, but rather a rule.
The German investments are Greenfield investments. They do not buy
existing companies, but they invest money to create new jobs. They
also go to areas of the country where other companies do not go. Some
of these small and medium-size companies are owned by Turkish-origin
entrepreneurs who are willing to go to Diyarbakır, for
instance. When I went to Diyarbakır, I met two German
entrepreneurs working on a project for using renewable energy in
agriculture. I think it is very important that we do not just ask the
question "How much is invested?" but also "How much is contributed to
the development of the country?"
I should also say as a German ambassador that we want Turkish
investment in Germany. I think that would be an important factor for
strengthening the Turkish economy, too. In Germany Turkey has a big
Turkish-origin community that can help with such investments.
As for the future of the economic relations, there is still room for
improvement on investment. I would like to cite the question on
working permits, which has been very cumbersome for many years. I have
heard some signals that this question will be tackled. The question of
privatization in the energy field is another area in which we can
improve the situation. There are many German companies ready to invest
in energy-efficiency projects, as well as in building up new power
plants; and they have billions of Euros in their pockets to invest in
Turkey.
Germany is a forerunner in the world in alternative energy
sources. Turkey is looking for solutions for its increasing energy
consumption. Is there cooperation between the two countries?
We have already had quite a number of discussions and meetings with
various Turkish ministers. The ministers of energy, environment and
the treasury all met with the representatives of German
companies. With these ministers we have discussed on working in energy
efficiency and solar energy. There are also a quite a number of small
and medium-size Turkish companies who have also contacted
Germany. Last year we opened a little solar energy irrigation project
in a village that belongs to the Ankara municipality. This project was
run by the German Embassy, Turkish entrepreneurs and German
companies. The use of solar energy is good not only for houses, where
Turkey already has experience, but also for agriculture. You can very
efficiently replace fuel engines with solar energy for irrigation, and
that works very well.
We had a similar project in Diyarbakır in cooperation with
Dicle University. This was a pilot project on drop irrigation with
solar energy. This is important in that part of the country and it
brought modern technology to the villages.
I think the diversification of sources is important, but most
important is energy efficiency. Turkey and Germany are in similar
situations, as we do not have many resources for energy, like
fuel. Both countries — and especially Turkey — face increasing
energy consumption. Energy efficiency is one area in which we should
work together and we see the EnVer initiative [an energy efficiency
project] as a very positive step. But, of course, Germany has also
invested in big power plants like the one in Ä°skenderun, which
is a coal power plant but with top standards in the world regarding
the environmental aspect. Other companies are ready to come for
gas-power stations, hydro-power plants and more.
So are you saying that German investors are not influenced by the
closure case?
I do think that the momentum of German investments in Turkey has not
been broken. They have confidence in the future of the country; a
confidence in the stable democratic secular future of the country. As
you see, this is also important for the economic sector and that was
expressed not only by the German companies but by TÃ`SIAD [the
Turkish Industrialists and Businessmen’s Association], TOBB [the
Turkish Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges] and the trade
unions. Let me add this: I have no doubt that the current government
is a secular government.
Last week 51 new religious officials completed their educations at the
Goethe Institute in Ankara. This has been an ongoing project for some
time and many "imams" have been given orientation courses in the
German culture going to Germany to serve. How do you see the results
of these courses?
I think we have head very fruitful cooperation in that respect. We
don’t call these people "imams," they are rather religious officials
that are trained in cooperation with the Religious Affairs Directorate
so as to provide the best services to the Turkish Muslim community in
Germany. In engaging in this project, our message is that religious
freedom is very important and Islam is a very important factor in
religious life in Germany. The religious officials take courses not
only in the German language so that they can find their way more
easily in Germany but also in the culture of the society so that they
will be able to communicate with Turkish-origin people in Germany.
Unfortunately, we couldn’t provide the courses with the same intensity
for all the religious officials going to Germany. There are hundreds
of them, but we had an intensive program for only a part of
them. Others in Bursa also had German courses. We believe the message
these religious officials will carry to Germany will be that Islam is
a religion of freedom and tolerance. It is important that this message
is coming from Turkey to Germany in the hands of religious officials
who are fully aware of the values of religious freedom and secularism.
Recently Prime Minister Recep Tayyip ErdoÄ?an invited the Turks
of Germany to learn German. Did you detect any change in the Turkish
community after that speech?
It has just been a few months since the prime minister made that
speech and it is too early to measure its effect. But I think we have
a joint conviction, and this is important, of both governments that
the learning of the German language by people who live in Germany and
belong to Germany is a top priority — and not only for those who are
older. It should start from the very early ages, maybe from the
kindergarten and Prime Minister ErdoÄ?an mentioned that in his
speech in Cologne.
Germany has a population of 82 million; 15 million have migrated. This
is already an important proportion and the biggest part segment of it
is people of Turkish origin. They are a part of our society and they
should feel that way. They should also take German citizenship to be
able to vote at all levels; municipal, federal and European and thus
to be able to express their political voice in the country where they
live and belong. This does not mean that they should forget their
Turkish roots. I think this is an asset for Germany, too.
Last year you disclosed a plan for a future Turkish-German
university. Has there been any development on that plan?
Well, we are rejoicing that next week it will be signed by the two
foreign ministers. In Germany it is already in force and in Turkey it
should first be brought before Parliament. We hope that it will set in
motion very quickly after that.
The university will be in Ä°stanbul, as far as we know. Is there
any particular place already spared for the university in
Ä°stanbul?
According to the agreement, the Turkish government is responsible for
the place and the buildings and Germany is responsible for the
professors and other services. I do hope that we will have a wonderful
place for the university so that it will make it a lighthouse project;
that it will be visible to everybody.
The university will have five faculties and the emphasis will be on
engineering. We are also stressing economics. There will also be
departments of German language, law, European studies, cultural
studies and, of course, archaeology.
The German Embassy is one of the most active embassies in Ankara in
respect to cultural and sporting events. You even have a riding
club. Can you inform us about your future activities?
We have a riding club, indeed. It is on the compound of the
embassy. You have to remember that we were among the first embassies
established in Ankara in the 1920s and then you could go by horse to
all the places in Ankara. The stable and horses were left from that
time. Well, we cannot go out of the compound, but the compound is
still large enough to have a riding club. The club is open also to
members outside the embassy.
Of course, we have had a series of charity concerts in this
embassy. The next one will be another highlight on June 14. We will
host the big band of the Armed Forces Orchestra. And we hope that we
will have many guests.
We will have other important cultural events. One is in Germany: the
Frankfurt Book Fair. This is the largest, most important place for
literature. This year the country highlighted at the Frankfurt Fair is
Turkey and Orhan Pamuk will make the introductory speech. The embassy
is involved in the preparations for the fair, but at that time of the
year we shall be very busy preparing the German Cultural Week in
Turkey. The motto of the week is Türkiye’de Alman
Kültür Esintileri [German Cultural Breeze in
Turkey]. This will start on Oct. 7 with a concert, in combination with
our National Day reception.
27 May 2008, Tuesday
KERÄ°M BALCI ANKARA
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress