Muhittin Ataman, during the panel on German-Turkish relations organized by Insight Turkey journal, stated that Turkey and Germany are not the countries that they used to be. Ataman stated that Germany is not the country that was defeated twice by the allies. While there used to be four big countries in the Europe, currently there is one hegemon and that is Germany, to be followed by other regional powers such as UK or France. In this regard it is difficult to think of a European policy or economic perspective without Germany. On the other hand, Turkey is not as dependent as it used to be during the Cold world – both politically and economically. Ataman stated that now there is a new Turkey, which is trying to take new initiatives in the international arena. Ataman, while commenting on the refugee crisis, asserted that it is a common threat for both countries and Germany and Turkey have to collaborate. Such collaboration is not necessary only to prevent the illegal immigration from Turkey to Germany but is needed also to solve the problems in the Middle East –in terms of the Syrian crisis or the failed states in the region. Lastly, Ataman emphasized that the Turkish immigrants in Germany play a significant role and this was reflected mainly due to the new voting system of Turkey. It showed that the domestic politics of Turkey directly influences the domestic politics of the Germany -an indicator of the interdependentness of both states- and according to Ataman this is a factor that should be taken in consideration by the German policy makers.