The escalation of the Turkish-Kurdish conflict brings about a situation in which the government’s authority is illusory in numerous places in southern Turkey.

There is a very high risk that the crisis between Ankara and Baghdad – and in practice the crisis between Turkey vs. Iran and Russia.

The statement adopted during the summit is merely a framework document.

Russian-Turkish relations have been plunged into deep crisis in since a Turkish fighter jet downed a Russian bomber aircraft.

The shooting of the Russian plane by Turkey puts the West in a very difficult situation.

Turkey’s Middle Eastern policy is in an impasse and strategic divergences in its relations with the West (the US, the EU) have been growing.

The crisis has placed the EU in the role of a supplicant to Ankara, which has drawn Turkey in from the ongoing marginalisation on the international stage.

On 10th October Ankara experienced one of the largest terrorist attacks in the history of modern Turkey.

Moscow’s recent moves prove that it still has a strong influence in the Middle East – but this is above all the potential for destabilisation.

Opportunities to reduce Turkey’s Syrian refugee influx to Europe are now severely limited.