European Union leaders in Turkey: Criticism of the seat arrangement in Recep Tayyip Erdogan – Ursula von der Leyen should go to the sofa

Seating arrangements for the Turkish president’s meeting Recep Tayyip Erdogan And the advice of the European Union in Ankara It caused outrage and criticism on social media. While a large chair was allocated next to the Turkish head of state for the President of the Council of the European Union, Charles Michel, the President of the European Union Commission was appointed Ursula von der Leyen I set aside a seat on a sofa some distance away during the Tuesday conversation. There I sat in front of Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, who also participated in the conversation.

Member of the Green Bundestag Jim Ozdemir Comment on the meeting Twitter Angrily: “Autocratic oppressors and memories such as # Putin, Erdogan and Co. have consciously set such signs. (…) If you can afford it, then don’t. In any case, do not have the respect of the gentlemen! “In the social network, it was also mentioned that the former president of the European Union Commission Jean-Claude Juncker He was allowed to sit at eye level at a meeting with Erdogan

Meanwhile, the European Union Commission indicated that von der Leyen took advantage of the meeting with Erdogan to have a long and very open discussion with him. Women’s rights And withdrawal Turkey From the Istanbul Convention for the Protection of Women and Children from Violence. Initially, however, there was no open criticism of the seating arrangement. One reason is that Michel, as President of the European Council, beats the president of the European Union Commission in order of precedence in the protocol.

In the meeting with Erdogan on Tuesday, European Union leaders wanted to explore a possible expansion of ties with Turkey. The background is European Union summit decisions A week and a half ago. With him, the heads of state and government of the European Union agreed to gradually expand relations with Turkey again. With this decision, the European Union wants to avoid escalating further conflicts.