Female EU Commission President Seated on Sofa by Turkish President: "Diplomatic Disaster"

EU Executive President, a Top National Leader... Sitting on Sofa with Staff
EU Lawmaker "Highly Insulting"... Former Executive President Bulc "Diplomatic Disaster"

On the 6th (local time), Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Union (EU) Commission (second from the left), visiting Turkey, is seen standing due to the lack of chairs during a meeting with Recep Tayyip Erdo?an, President of Turkey (fourth from the left).
[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suhwan] Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Union (EU) Commission, faced an embarrassing situation where she could not sit down due to the lack of a chair during a meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an. This occurred because the Turkish side provided only one chair for both von der Leyen and Charles Michel, President of the European Council, who visited for talks with President Erdo?an.

According to The Guardian on the 7th (local time), during the EU-Turkey summit held the previous day, a Turkish government official provided only one chair each for President Erdo?an and the EU side. Michel took the EU chair, while von der Leyen was left standing without a seat.

As the highest-ranking official in the EU leadership, von der Leyen, along with Michel, represents the top two figures within the EU organization. Both are considered equal in status to heads of state of other countries.

After realizing there was only one chair for the EU side, von der Leyen stood nearby with a bewildered expression in front of Michel, who was seated. She then cleared her throat and raised her hand to signal that she also needed a chair, but the Turkish officials did not respond.

Ultimately, unable to sit, von der Leyen moved to a sofa located far from President Erdo?an and Michel, where she sat with Turkish government staff.

The EU side did not hide their discomfort. After the summit, von der Leyen’s spokesperson stated, "When visiting other countries, the EU Commission President is treated the same as the President of the European Council," adding, "The Commission President’s office is deeply surprised by today’s incident." The spokesperson further demanded that officials ensure the Commission President receives appropriate treatment according to established protocol.

Critical voices regarding Turkey’s protocol measures have been mounting. Iratxe Garc?a P?rez, a member of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament, tweeted, "They withdrew from the Istanbul Convention (which prevents domestic violence against women), and now they didn’t even provide a chair for the EU Commission President. It’s very insulting."

Former EU Commission President Violeta Bulc also condemned Turkey, calling it a "diplomatic disaster."

Meanwhile, during the summit, both sides agreed to extend the period during which the EU provides financial support to Turkey in exchange for Turkey hosting Middle Eastern refugees attempting to migrate to Greece. Von der Leyen did not comment on the protocol controversy during the post-meeting press conference. However, regarding Turkey’s withdrawal from the Istanbul Convention on May 20, she stated, "Turkey’s withdrawal sends the wrong signal regarding efforts to protect women from violence."