German–Turkish Non-Aggression Pact
The German - Turkish friendship treaty ( Turkish Türk- Alman Dostluk Paktı ) was signed between the National Socialist German Empire and Turkey on 18 June 1941 in Ankara by the German ambassador to Turkey, Franz von Papen, and the Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sukru Saracoglu signed. It entered into force on the same day.
This bilateral friendship treaty, which was supposed to stay for a period of ten years in power, lasted until 24 October 1945 when Turkey joined the United Nations (UN).
Background and Historical Context
After the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939 the Turkish President İsmet İnönü initiated a policy of neutrality one, trying to avoid involvement in the war, and asked both sides to supply military equipment. On the other side of Nazi Germany, Turkey tried to avoid using diplomatic efforts by the United Kingdom.
When Germany was preparing to invade Yugoslavia and Greece in April 1941, German troops had already reached the Bulgarian border and demanded permission to pass through Turkish territory the ( Eastern Thrace ). On March 1, 1941, Bulgaria signed the Tripartite Pact and joined officially as the Axis powers in.
On March 4, 1941 Franz von Papen brought a letter of Adolf Hitler at İnönü. In his letter Hitler wrote that " he will not start the war, and that he does not intend to attack Turkey ". He further stressed that " he ordered his troops in Bulgaria, the Turkish border to stay away from in order to convey a false impression with their presence ." Hitler offered Turkey to a non-aggression pact.
A military coup d' état, which was initiated by Rashid Ali al - Gailani on 1 April 1941 overthrew the regime in Iraq, who sympathized with the British. The four insurgent generals worked closely with the German Secret Service and accepted military aid from Germany. Hitler Turkey asked for permission to pass through Turkey, to afford Iraq military assistance. The Turkish government demanded in response to the German request territorial concessions on the part of Iraq. While the negotiations were held, attacked British forces in Iraq from April 18, and June 3, Britain established finally the regime of Emir Abdul Illah - restoring, Regent of the four- year-old King Faisal II. , The problem was with this solved development.
On April 6, axle forces attacked Yugoslavia ( in operation 25 ) and Greece ( Operation Marita in ) by crossing Bulgaria to secure the southern flank. The invasion of Yugoslavia was completed on April 17. In order for the annexation and occupation of the Balkans was completed by the Axis powers - without touching Turkey.
On 22 June 1941, just four days after the signing of the German -Turkish Non-Aggression Pact, the German troops invaded the Soviet Union ( Operation Barbarossa ), which aroused even Turkey fears a breach of contract.