France, Germany, Turkey: A New Triangle of Powers
Relations between Germany, France and Turkey have been strictly bilateral for a long time, with varying intensity, styles and areas of cooperation. The European perspective that is now part of these relations has introduced a three-way dynamic.
Turkey's accession talks have stalled, and France and Germany are responsible to a large degree for the problems and delays that have affected the process. The economic crisis in Europe has altered the situation because it makes Turkey a more important player, introducing a form of competition between powers. The political crises in the Middle East, and the significant threats that have arisen from them, have opened the way to a partial reconciliation under the arbitration of the United States. However, the parties need to work together on the basis of their shared values in relation to Europe in order to maximise their individual assets.
This article is the product of cooperation between Cerfa and Ifri's Contemporary Turkey program.
Dorothée Schmid is Head of Ifri's "Contemporary Turkey" program.
This publication is available in french : Allemagne, France, Turquie : la triangulation des puissances
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France, Germany, Turkey: A New Triangle of Powers
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The Study Committee on Franco-German Relations (Cerfa) was created in 1954 by an inter-governmental agreement between the Federal Republic of Germany and France, in order to raise awareness of Germany in France and analyze Franco-German relations, including in their European and international dimensions. In its conferences and seminars, which bring together experts, political leaders, senior decision-makers and representatives of civil society from both countries, Cerfa develops the Franco-German debate and stimulates political proposals. It regularly publishes studies through two collections: Cerfa notes and studies as well as Franco-German visions.
Cerfa maintains close relations with the network of German foundations and think tanks. In addition to its research and debate activities, Cerfa promotes the emergence of a new Franco-German generation through original cooperation programs. This is how in 2021-2022, Cerfa led a program on multilateralism with the Konrad Adenauer Foundation in Paris. This program is aimed at young professionals from both countries interested in the issues of multilateralism in the context of their activities. It covered a wide range of themes relating to multilateralism, such as international trade, health, human rights and migration, non-proliferation and disarmament. Previously, Cerfa had participated in the Franco-German future dialogue, co-led with the DGAP from 2007 to 2020, and supported by the Robert Bosch Foundation and the Daniel Vernet group (formerly the Franco-German Reflection Group) which was founded in 2014 upon the initiative of the Genshagen Foundation.
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