Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

ANKARA: Is Turkey Parting Ways With Europe?

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • ANKARA: Is Turkey Parting Ways With Europe?

    IS TURKEY PARTING WAYS WITH EUROPE?

    Today's Zaman
    Feb 2 2009
    Turkey

    Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's reaction to Israeli President
    Shimon Peres' remarks at the World Economic Forum in Davos is one of
    the visible reflections of the foreign policy that Turkey has been
    pursuing with respect to the Gaza crisis. From this perspective,
    the prime minister's attitude in Davos is compatible with Turkey's
    official policies as well as its current discourse.

    Of course, Peres is responsible for the tension at the meeting; he
    was pretty harsh in his remarks. At the beginning of the meeting, the
    prime minister tried to present the humane dimension of the problem
    by relying on a soft and constructive discourse; however, Peres,
    in response, relied on a fairly inappropriate rhetoric by which he
    tried to present all Palestinians as accomplices of Hamas' faults
    and to accuse the prime minister of not having enough information
    and knowledge about what was actually happening in the region. Such
    rhetoric was unacceptable to the prime minister.

    Such discourse required a suitable response. Unlike those who
    criticized the prime minister, his timing, his choice of words,
    discourse, gestures and his decisions within this short period of time
    are actually part of an excellent diplomatic move and set of actions
    that could be taught as a case study. And I have nothing to say to
    those who describe diplomacy as the international relations version
    of old Byzantine tricks and games and as the best way of deception,
    lies and distortion; their understanding of diplomacy overlaps with
    Peres' discourse and attitude at Davos. They may view diplomacy as a
    tool of secret discussions and deliberations behind the stage. The
    literature they rely on and their realist points of view may tell
    this story. However, this approach has become illegitimate since the
    early 20th century; many criticisms have been leveled against this
    approach because of its moral flaws and scientific inadequacy.

    Erdogan's timing, choice of words, discourse, gestures and decisions
    are part of an excellent diplomatic move and could be taught as a
    case study.

    In short, when we talk about diplomacy, properly defined as an art
    and method to implement foreign policy and conduct international
    relations, we actually talk about reciprocity, transparency, accuracy,
    sincerity, consistency and even accountability. From this perspective,
    we have to admit that the prime minister's attitude was consistent
    with recent Turkish foreign policy and basic rules and premises
    of diplomacy. Turkey's recent foreign policy can be summarized
    as eagerness to achieve peace and stability in the near abroad,
    to maintain regional stability and to enhance welfare and peace in
    the region. Turkey is trying to implement policies suggesting that
    its own peace and stability depend on regional stability. Turkey is
    eager to become a reliable country that generates security.

    Turkey follows a policy of zero problems with its neighbors. It
    tries to implement a rhythmic and proactive -- but not aggressive --
    diplomacy in its relations. It is aware that it has to be the subject
    rather than the object of the region and the problems. Turkey wants to
    maintain ties with the parties to the problems and serve as a mediator
    to resolve the problems via diplomatic means. In recent times, Turkey
    has shown its eagerness to make contributions to the resolution of
    regional problems and has taken active part in the recent developments
    and initiatives to address hot issues in areas of crisis. It has proved
    that it is able to play such roles by developing ties with Palestine,
    Israel, Syria, Lebanon, Iran, Georgia and Armenia.

    Turkey's initiatives and moves in addressing the recent problems were
    based on the premises of new diplomacy and candid templates built
    upon reciprocity, transparency and openness.

    At this point, it should be recalled that Turkey's current goals and
    policies in its international relations and regional developments
    are misperceived and misunderstood by certain circles.

    These misperceptions and misunderstandings may be classified into two
    major groups: First, they argue that Turkey's connection with the West
    has been seriously weakened. Second, it is assumed that Turkey is eager
    to become a regional actor. Starting with the second, I would like to
    emphasize that those who want to see Turkey as a regional power must be
    mistaken because they do not appreciate Turkey's potential. Of course,
    Turkey should be interested in regional affairs and developments, but
    this does not necessarily mean that Turkey does not have the potential
    to become a global power. The role Turkey would play as a global actor
    actually depends on its policies as a global player. This will become
    possible if Turkey enhances its relations with other global actors on
    multiple levels including trade and policy. In addition, it also has
    to rely on a foreign policy discourse that pays attention to global
    values and moral premises. A policy and diplomatic language sensitive
    to global problems and universal values and standards will facilitate
    Turkey's role as a global actor. Defending everyone's rights and
    freedoms and proving sincerity in such rhetoric will enhance Turkey's
    security and also contribute to its goals of becoming a global actor.

    This will serve as an element that will enhance Turkey's relations
    with the US and the EU as well as other European and Western
    actors. Turkey's ties and relations with Israel, part of its Western
    orientation, should be viewed and discussed within this context. Turkey
    has been welcomed in the West at times when it was influential in
    the East, and it has become influential in the West as long as it
    has been welcomed in the West. The prime minister's attitude in
    Davos as well as Turkey's foreign policy vis-a-vis the recent Gaza
    crisis refers to Turkey's growing role in world politics. Above all,
    the prime minister's candid and open-hearted attitude and discourse
    will reinforce Turkey's image as a country that can be trusted by
    all parties. This is actually what is desired and expected from
    diplomacy. The harshest diplomatic moves are more humane than the
    softest wars. Surely the prime minister's attitude was against

    Peres' speech and style. Therefore, it was aimed at the rulers
    of Israel. This attitude will push Israel to become more eager to
    achieve peace. But it will also send a message to Hamas calling for a
    more lenient approach vis-a-vis the problem; this shows that Turkey's
    policy and attitude will actually contribute to the achievement of a
    viable solution. Besides, the parties do not have any other option than
    Turkey for a lasting peace. Therefore, it will be fair to argue that
    the recent policy will enhance Turkey's ties with the US, the EU and
    the West. The prime minister's discourse and attitude will be welcomed
    by EU leaders as well as newly elected US President Barack Obama.

    There is one last point that needs to be recalled: What the West wants
    to see in its partners is a strong state and government relying on a
    legitimate basis and having a high level of representation. This is
    what Turkey has been pursuing in its foreign policy in recent times.
Working...
X