German-Turkish relations – intermestic, interdependent, intricate

Abstract

In recent years the German-Turkish dialogue has been increasingly becoming subject to German, Turkish and European political, academic, public and media debates. The bilateral relationship has been in fact attracting attention for many decades taking into consideration the multidimensional complex interdependence between both countries and a vicious cycle of ebbs and flows that has dominated German-Turkish relations. The overarching evolution of the bilateral dialogue between Germany and Turkey has been a journey with numerous crossroads as throughout the contemporary history moments of conflict between both countries were followed by an era of rapprochement and intensified interest-oriented collaboration which was yet again succeeded by another period of disagreement and estrangement based on diverging preferences and interests. Whereas various phases of conflict, convergence or standstill could also be observed in the overarching relationship between Turkey and the European Union (EU), the German-Turkish dialogue has experienced sharper, more clear-cut Uturns and transitions.