The battle of protocol has led to a number of accusations over Turkey’s attitude towards women and E.U.
The European Union (E.U.) legislators have called upon 2 officials of the bloc to explain the situation where the President of European Commission – Ursula von der Leyen was left standing without a chair while the President of Turkey – Recep Tayyip Erdogan and President of European Council – Charles Michel were seen seated.
During a recent meeting with Turkish President, Charles Michel sat next to him in an armchair, which made Ursula sit alone on a sofa opposite the Foreign Minister of Turkey – Mevlut Cavusoglu. In the previous meetings, all the 3 Presidents had sat together.
Titled as ‘Sofagate’, by netizens, the battle of protocol has led to a number of accusations over Turkey’s attitude towards women and E.U., sexism in Brussels and Europe’s internal politics.
The ‘Sofagate’ moment occurred ahead on the diplomatic talks between the Bloc and Turkey. While Michel blamed Turkey for the entire episode, Cavusoglu said that arrangements were made in line with E.U.’s suggestions. Michel also drew flak in Brussels for not supporting his colleague and readily accepting the only available seat.
While the European Council President chairs meetings of E.U. national leaders, the President of European Commission heads the bloc’s Brussels-based executive. In terms of protocol, both are treated equally as the President of Council.
Speaking on the occasion, Michel said, “The strict interpretation of the protocol rules by the Turkish authorities gave rise to a distressing situation: the differentiated — even inferior — treatment of the president of the European Commission.”
The Chief Spokesperson for the European Commission – Eric Mamer said Ursula “was clearly surprised and that is something which you can see from the video.”
He added, “it’s difficult to judge the reasons why she was offered one type of seat rather than another, that’s something which you’d have to ask the Turkish authorities about.”
Cavusoglu replied, “The EU’s requests were granted in the protocol applied during this meeting. This arrangement was made in line with the European Union’s suggestions.”
Cavusoglu also clarified that Turkey is not negative towards women. He also said that Turkey is especially vulnerable to accusations of sexism after Erdogan last month pulled his country out of a landmark Council of Europe treaty to prevent violence against women.
Ursula is one of the most influential women in the bloc. She had previously served as Defence Minister of Germany.
Ursula has asked her team to make sure that such situations do not arise in future. Ursula said that Michel went to Turkey to extend relations with Turkey. The bloc and Turkey have pledged to improve trade links, financial assistance to curb irregular migration and to draw attention to human rights violations.
It is to be noted that Turkey is officially a candidate for E.U. membership but negotiations have been on ice for more than a decade over its chequered human rights record and strained relations with neighbors Cyprus and Greece.
