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ANKARA RAISES ITS VOICE
Source: Nezavisimaya Gazeta
RusData Dialine - Russian Press Digest
December 27, 2011 Tuesday
Turkey's role is on the rise in the region and beyond
Public attention has been drawn recently to the loud exchange between
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and French President
Nicolas Sarkozy about a draft law that would criminalize denial of the
1915 Armenian Genocide in Ottoman Turkey, which is currently being
reviewed by French parliament. Both public figures, as we know, are
never at a loss for words - and both are tuned to their audience's
moods, at times sacrificing the purely commercial interests of their
countries' businessmen.
In 2009, Israeli President Shimon Peres was the target of Erdogan's
outburst at the World Economic Forum in Davos, and today's target
is the president of an even larger country - one that is also a NATO
ally. One could say that the Prime Minister's voice is getting louder.
The reasons for Turkey's growing volume on the global arena are its
increased economic clout and international influence. It's no accident
that in one of Erdogan's retorts, addressed to the European Union,
he advised: "Look at us, and look at the current state of Europe." He
was referring to the advanced pace of development in Turkey - and the
financial crisis and stalemate in today's European Union. Seemingly,
Erdogan's most recent wordplay has reduced Turkey's chances for
EU accession. However, judging from the statements of the Turkish
officials, Ankara is losing its interest in this, increasing its
cooperation with the United States instead.
Turkey is also playing a greater role in the region, where it
has sidelined Egypt from its leading power position. To get there,
Ankara quite easily sacrificed its former economic and military ties
with Israel. Now, Ankara's influence is growing stronger with all
the countries of the former Ottoman Empire. The moderate Islamists,
who were able to raise their heads after the Arab Spring, see Turkey's
system as an example. Turkish leaders are, in various ways, encouraging
their desire to imitate.
Ankara's political stance, which is to avoid confrontation with
neighbors, has been set aside. Today, Ankara is taking an active part
in the events in Syria, having called numerous times on President
Bashar al-Assad to step down. Not only have Syrian opposition forces
firmly settled on Turkish territory but, based on some reports,
so have the rebel groups. Moreover, the idea of creating liberated
areas in the contagious zone of Syria and Turkey, is being expressed
increasingly often in NATO circles. Recall that Turkey has the second
largest army in the Alliance. It should also be borne in mind that
Turkey's further involvement in Syrian affairs could lead to the
deterioration of its relations with another neighboring state - Iran.
Turkey's activities are not limited to the surrounding region. It
has a noticeable presence on post-Soviet territory - particularly
in countries with Turkic-speaking populations. There, in addition
to strengthening economic positions, Turkey is raising its cultural
influence by building schools with a growing number of graduates
who can subsequently continue their studies in Turkey. The first
Summit of Turkic-Speaking Countries was held this year. All of this
indicates that Turkey's interests extend beyond regional boundaries -
and that it is already an inter-regional power.
Moscow has excellent relations with Ankara - mainly in the economic
sector. At the same time, the neighboring state's rising influence must
be taken into consideration. It will become increasingly more apparent
in a region in which Russia has traditionally had its interests -
and they will need to be protected.
Source: Nezavisimaya Gazeta
RusData Dialine - Russian Press Digest
December 27, 2011 Tuesday
Turkey's role is on the rise in the region and beyond
Public attention has been drawn recently to the loud exchange between
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and French President
Nicolas Sarkozy about a draft law that would criminalize denial of the
1915 Armenian Genocide in Ottoman Turkey, which is currently being
reviewed by French parliament. Both public figures, as we know, are
never at a loss for words - and both are tuned to their audience's
moods, at times sacrificing the purely commercial interests of their
countries' businessmen.
In 2009, Israeli President Shimon Peres was the target of Erdogan's
outburst at the World Economic Forum in Davos, and today's target
is the president of an even larger country - one that is also a NATO
ally. One could say that the Prime Minister's voice is getting louder.
The reasons for Turkey's growing volume on the global arena are its
increased economic clout and international influence. It's no accident
that in one of Erdogan's retorts, addressed to the European Union,
he advised: "Look at us, and look at the current state of Europe." He
was referring to the advanced pace of development in Turkey - and the
financial crisis and stalemate in today's European Union. Seemingly,
Erdogan's most recent wordplay has reduced Turkey's chances for
EU accession. However, judging from the statements of the Turkish
officials, Ankara is losing its interest in this, increasing its
cooperation with the United States instead.
Turkey is also playing a greater role in the region, where it
has sidelined Egypt from its leading power position. To get there,
Ankara quite easily sacrificed its former economic and military ties
with Israel. Now, Ankara's influence is growing stronger with all
the countries of the former Ottoman Empire. The moderate Islamists,
who were able to raise their heads after the Arab Spring, see Turkey's
system as an example. Turkish leaders are, in various ways, encouraging
their desire to imitate.
Ankara's political stance, which is to avoid confrontation with
neighbors, has been set aside. Today, Ankara is taking an active part
in the events in Syria, having called numerous times on President
Bashar al-Assad to step down. Not only have Syrian opposition forces
firmly settled on Turkish territory but, based on some reports,
so have the rebel groups. Moreover, the idea of creating liberated
areas in the contagious zone of Syria and Turkey, is being expressed
increasingly often in NATO circles. Recall that Turkey has the second
largest army in the Alliance. It should also be borne in mind that
Turkey's further involvement in Syrian affairs could lead to the
deterioration of its relations with another neighboring state - Iran.
Turkey's activities are not limited to the surrounding region. It
has a noticeable presence on post-Soviet territory - particularly
in countries with Turkic-speaking populations. There, in addition
to strengthening economic positions, Turkey is raising its cultural
influence by building schools with a growing number of graduates
who can subsequently continue their studies in Turkey. The first
Summit of Turkic-Speaking Countries was held this year. All of this
indicates that Turkey's interests extend beyond regional boundaries -
and that it is already an inter-regional power.
Moscow has excellent relations with Ankara - mainly in the economic
sector. At the same time, the neighboring state's rising influence must
be taken into consideration. It will become increasingly more apparent
in a region in which Russia has traditionally had its interests -
and they will need to be protected.