Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Emmanuel Macron have clashed on a series of issues. AP
Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Emmanuel Macron have clashed on a series of issues. AP
Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Emmanuel Macron have clashed on a series of issues. AP
Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Emmanuel Macron have clashed on a series of issues. AP

Personal feud to strategic foes: Report says Macron's rift with Erdogan is a 'fight both leaders want'


Tim Stickings
  • English
  • Arabic

The personal feud between Emmanuel Macron and Recep Tayyip Erdogan is developing into a long-term geopolitical rivalry between France and Turkey, a report said.

The presidents clashed over a series of issues including Libya, Syria, the Eastern Mediterranean and cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed.

At the height of their quarrel last year, Mr Erdogan suggested that the French leader needed mental help over his attitude towards Muslims.

Germany this week sought to offer a European olive branch to Turkey, telling Ankara that it could send a positive signal to the EU by pulling its troops out of Libya.

But a report by the French Institute of International Relations said it was unrealistic to expect improved relations with France because “Macron vs Erdogan is a fight both leaders want ahead of elections in their countries”.

Mr Macron is up for re-election in 2022 and faces a potential rematch with far-right candidate Marine Le Pen. Mr Erdogan’s next election is in 2023.

The IFRI report said the political rift was “gradually turning into a long-time geopolitical rivalry” in which France sees itself as a defender of Europe.

Mr Erdogan’s assertive behaviour evokes images in France of a “powerful Turk as a historical competitor, challenger, and even enemy of the West”, the report said.

“Hence, Erdogan is essentially portrayed as a threat and a danger for France and Europe.”

The IFRI analysis described the stand-off as a geopolitical contest for influence in the Eastern Mediterranean.

France last year increased its military presence in the region and took part in exercises with Italy, Greece and Cyprus.

It accused Turkey of playing a “dangerous game” in Libya, where one of the two warring governments was heavily backed by Turkish troops and Syrian fighters sent by Ankara.

A unity government took office in Libya in March, and Turkey is now under pressure to withdraw its forces from the country.

Anti-French protests, seen here in Pakistan, erupted last year over cartoons. Reuters
Anti-French protests, seen here in Pakistan, erupted last year over cartoons. Reuters

France fears Turkish influence in the Mediterranean

IFRI said that Turkey’s use of proxy warfare risked giving Ankara an advantage over Paris in their geostrategic rivalry.

“Turkey acquired in Syria its first experience in asymmetrical, proxy warfare,” the report said.

“It has since then attempted to replicate this experience on other fronts (Libya, Nagorno-Karabakh) through mobilising non-state groups and militias to advance its interests and political agenda.

“Paris is concerned that this is becoming a cost-effective way for Turkey to maintain a presence on several fronts and multiply its power of disruption, while at the same time avoiding military overstretch.”

IFRI said France’s aims in Libya were to restrain Turkey’s regional ambitions, preserve French influence in North Africa and contain the spread of political Islam.

Mr Macron launched a fierce defence of France's secular values against radical Islamic extremism after the beheading of a school teacher last autumn.

After Mr Macron defended the publication of cartoons considered blasphemous by Muslims, Mr Erdogan called for a boycott of French goods.

“What can one say about a head of state who treats millions of members from different faith groups this way: first of all, have mental checks,” Mr Erdogan said.

Efforts to cool tensions between Europe and Ankara led to EU leaders agreeing in March to provide more money for refugees hosted by Turkey.

Mr Erdogan said in April that Turkey was committed to EU membership, although efforts to improve ties were set back by a bizarre row involving President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen being relegated to a sofa on a visit to Ankara.

Germany Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said on Thursday that relations were improving but it was up to Ankara to press its case for closer ties.

Asked what more Germany could do for Turkey’s longstanding efforts to join the EU, Mr Maas said: “Turkey can contribute the most.”

One in nine do not have enough to eat

Created in 1961, the World Food Programme is pledged to fight hunger worldwide as well as providing emergency food assistance in a crisis.

One of the organisation’s goals is the Zero Hunger Pledge, adopted by the international community in 2015 as one of the 17 Sustainable Goals for Sustainable Development, to end world hunger by 2030.

The WFP, a branch of the United Nations, is funded by voluntary donations from governments, businesses and private donations.

Almost two thirds of its operations currently take place in conflict zones, where it is calculated that people are more than three times likely to suffer from malnutrition than in peaceful countries.

It is currently estimated that one in nine people globally do not have enough to eat.

On any one day, the WFP estimates that it has 5,000 lorries, 20 ships and 70 aircraft on the move.

Outside emergencies, the WFP provides school meals to up to 25 million children in 63 countries, while working with communities to improve nutrition. Where possible, it buys supplies from developing countries to cut down transport cost and boost local economies.

 

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Mar 9-10: Copper Box Arena in London, UK

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French Touch

Carla Bruni

(Verve)

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Name: Peter Dicce

Title: Assistant dean of students and director of athletics

Favourite sport: soccer

Favourite team: Bayern Munich

Favourite player: Franz Beckenbauer

Favourite activity in Abu Dhabi: scuba diving in the Northern Emirates 

 

Our legal consultant

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants

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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Biography

Favourite drink: Must have karak chai and Chinese tea every day

Favourite non-Chinese food: Arabic sweets and Indian puri, small round bread of wheat flour

Favourite Chinese dish: Spicy boiled fish or anything cooked by her mother because of its flavour

Best vacation: Returning home to China

Music interests: Enjoys playing the zheng, a string musical instrument

Enjoys reading: Chinese novels, romantic comedies, reading up on business trends, government policy changes

Favourite book: Chairman Mao Zedong’s poems

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MATCH INFO

What: 2006 World Cup quarter-final
When: July 1
Where: Gelsenkirchen Stadium, Gelsenkirchen, Germany

Result:
England 0 Portugal 0
(Portugal win 3-1 on penalties)