Erdogan and Macron Tensions Flare
Turkey’s relationship with France became even more strained this week as tensions flared between President Macron’s administration and the Islamic world.
In an interview with Al-Jazeera Macron cited Turkey’s intervention in Syria, infringement of the arms embargo in Libya, and aggression in the Eastern Mediterranean as reasons for increased tension. These actions, Macron claims, are an aggression towards NATO allies, the European Union, and the right to free speech.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and French President Emmanuel Macron hold a joint press conference at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, Jan. 5, 2018 (Reuters Photo)
President Erdogan has vocalised his outrage at the treatment of Muslims in France and the French attitude towards Islam. On Monday the French Interior Minister announced plans to dissolve the ultranationalist organization, the Grey Wolves, which s affiliated with political allies of Erdogan. Erdogan has also claimed that the French state is behind the republication of caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad in the magazine Charlie Hebdo.
Increasing tensions were worsened by a series of terror attacks across Europe this week and Turkey’s struggle with the effects of an earthquake on the Aegean coast.
Sources
https://www.politico.eu/article/france-dissolve-turkey-ultranationalist-group-grey-wolves/