Virtually no one here likes Erdogan whatsoever, but our interests in relation to Ukraine and weakening USA/Russia aligns in this particular case. Turkey is a large country that actually borders the EU and has the largest non-European diaspora living here; keeping somwhat cood relations makes sense, even if I’d never want to see them join the Union and know we can never fully trust them.
As we lost our biggest ally, trading with another large country with a significant military makes perfect sense. Besides, Turkish food is actually great, especially compared to murican trash
Well, seeing as it’s written in German: Germany’s and Austria’s largest national minorities are Turks. Estimates are tough, but at least 3 million people (probably more like 5 million) in Germany have Turkish ‘migrationshintergrund’ and up to 500 000 people in Austria. Many have been there since the early 1960s, and, although it hasn’t been all smooth sailing, Turkish culture and food has a significant place in both countries. So with that in mind I think this choice makes sense. Mexican food is lovely imo, but Germans don’t have particular ties to the culture, people or food. (Not to mention the fact that whenever there’s “Mexican” food in Europe broadly it’s a watered-down version of tex-mex, which I do still like anyway)
Virtually no one here likes Erdogan whatsoever, but our interests in relation to Ukraine and weakening USA/Russia aligns in this particular case. Turkey is a large country that actually borders the EU and has the largest non-European diaspora living here; keeping somwhat cood relations makes sense, even if I’d never want to see them join the Union and know we can never fully trust them.
As we lost our biggest ally, trading with another large country with a significant military makes perfect sense. Besides, Turkish food is actually great, especially compared to murican trash
Totally get that, and I won’t ever make any false equivalence or both-sides arguments.
I was just surprised they went with Turkish instead of, say, Mexican or Spanish, or another country not as problematic.
Well, seeing as it’s written in German: Germany’s and Austria’s largest national minorities are Turks. Estimates are tough, but at least 3 million people (probably more like 5 million) in Germany have Turkish ‘migrationshintergrund’ and up to 500 000 people in Austria. Many have been there since the early 1960s, and, although it hasn’t been all smooth sailing, Turkish culture and food has a significant place in both countries. So with that in mind I think this choice makes sense. Mexican food is lovely imo, but Germans don’t have particular ties to the culture, people or food. (Not to mention the fact that whenever there’s “Mexican” food in Europe broadly it’s a watered-down version of tex-mex, which I do still like anyway)
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