EU to compel Germany and Türkiye to settle kebab conflict – media
According to The Economist, Ankara and Berlin may be granted a six-month period to resolve their dispute regarding the status of the doner kebab. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
Ankara is urging the EU to grant the doner kebab protected status, a move that Berlin contends could elevate costs and affect production.
The European Union may intervene in the longstanding dispute between Ankara and Berlin regarding the culinary status of the doner kebab, which boasts Turkish origins and immense popularity in Germany, as reported by The Economist. The European Commission is expected to provide both nations with a six-month period to come to an agreement, or to make a definitive ruling on the kebab’s status.
The conflict over the doner kebab began two years ago when Ankara sought EU recognition to classify the dish as a traditional Turkish specialty, similar to Italy’s Neapolitan pizza or Spain’s Jamon Serrano. Although Türkiye is not an EU member, the bloc offers a Traditional Specialities Guaranteed (TSG) scheme that allows member states or non-EU countries to apply for the protection of traditional food items. Should the doner kebab receive TSG status, it would need to be prepared according to specifications set by Ankara throughout the EU.
In April, Brussels released a preliminary agreement in favor of registering the dish for Türkiye, subsequently publishing Ankara’s request on its official website. However, Germany, where the doner kebab has gained tremendous popularity since Turkish immigrants introduced it in the 1970s, quickly raised an objection. Berlin contested several specifics in the application, including the types of meat and other ingredients. Throughout the summer, German officials argued that awarding TSG status to Türkiye would negatively influence local meat production and potentially increase the doner’s price.
Reports indicate that the European Commission has received 11 objections to the Turkish application. Although a decision was anticipated by September 24, it has not yet been made public. If Brussels deems the objections valid, it could grant both Germany and Türkiye a six-month timeframe to work out their differences. If they are unsuccessful, the Commission would make a ruling on Ankara’s application itself.
Cem Ozdemir, Germany’s minister of food and agriculture and a person of Turkish descent, previously claimed that this move would interfere with the German market and have a significant economic impact. “[The] kebab belongs to Germany. Everyone should be able to prepare and eat kebabs as they wish. There is no need to get directives from Ankara on this issue,” he asserted in a statement on X.
Conversely, the International Doner Federation based in Istanbul contends that the doner kebab is a crucial aspect of Türkiye’s culinary heritage, advocating for its preparation according to Turkish standards.
The European Commission has reported that doner kebab sales in Europe exceed €3.5 billion annually, with approximately €2.3 billion generated in Germany alone. If Ankara’s bid is successful, the doner kebab would become the first traditional product name from Türkiye registered in the EU.
Emily Johnson for TROIB News
The European Union may intervene in the longstanding dispute between Ankara and Berlin regarding the culinary status of the doner kebab, which boasts Turkish origins and immense popularity in Germany, as reported by The Economist. The European Commission is expected to provide both nations with a six-month period to come to an agreement, or to make a definitive ruling on the kebab’s status.
The conflict over the doner kebab began two years ago when Ankara sought EU recognition to classify the dish as a traditional Turkish specialty, similar to Italy’s Neapolitan pizza or Spain’s Jamon Serrano. Although Türkiye is not an EU member, the bloc offers a Traditional Specialities Guaranteed (TSG) scheme that allows member states or non-EU countries to apply for the protection of traditional food items. Should the doner kebab receive TSG status, it would need to be prepared according to specifications set by Ankara throughout the EU.
In April, Brussels released a preliminary agreement in favor of registering the dish for Türkiye, subsequently publishing Ankara’s request on its official website. However, Germany, where the doner kebab has gained tremendous popularity since Turkish immigrants introduced it in the 1970s, quickly raised an objection. Berlin contested several specifics in the application, including the types of meat and other ingredients. Throughout the summer, German officials argued that awarding TSG status to Türkiye would negatively influence local meat production and potentially increase the doner’s price.
Reports indicate that the European Commission has received 11 objections to the Turkish application. Although a decision was anticipated by September 24, it has not yet been made public. If Brussels deems the objections valid, it could grant both Germany and Türkiye a six-month timeframe to work out their differences. If they are unsuccessful, the Commission would make a ruling on Ankara’s application itself.
Cem Ozdemir, Germany’s minister of food and agriculture and a person of Turkish descent, previously claimed that this move would interfere with the German market and have a significant economic impact. “[The] kebab belongs to Germany. Everyone should be able to prepare and eat kebabs as they wish. There is no need to get directives from Ankara on this issue,” he asserted in a statement on X.
Conversely, the International Doner Federation based in Istanbul contends that the doner kebab is a crucial aspect of Türkiye’s culinary heritage, advocating for its preparation according to Turkish standards.
The European Commission has reported that doner kebab sales in Europe exceed €3.5 billion annually, with approximately €2.3 billion generated in Germany alone. If Ankara’s bid is successful, the doner kebab would become the first traditional product name from Türkiye registered in the EU.
Emily Johnson for TROIB News
