Turkey’s Contribution to World Stability, Security, and Democratization

The United States and Turkey share a belief in the promotion of peace, democracy, freedom, and prosperity as regional and global objectives. Accordingly, of the top 10 foreign issues of the United States and the top 10 of Turkey, at least seven or eight are basically the same. While the methods for reaching the targets may differ, the destinations are identical. The history of cooperation between the two nations on asymmetrical threats around the world, from Korea to Afghanistan, also provides a strong foundation to build on looking to the future.

Healthy transatlantic relationships of this sort are integral to progress in the organization of a strong international system. Turkey has already started to adopt rules and institutional standards of the European Union (EU), and its eventual membership will not only enhance security and stability in the surrounding region, but will also have ramifications of global magnitude.

This is in part because whatever steps are taken in Turkey in the reform process draws keen interest from countries in North Africa, the Middle East, and Central Asia. Turkey’s example demonstrates that Islam, democracy, and secularism can coexist and that as concepts Islam and modernity do not conflict. Reform-oriented people feel encouraged by Turkey’s success, and showing one good example may be worth more than hundreds of pieces of advice.

Additionally, Turkey has become a regional power; its central geographic location as well as its healthy democracy, pluralism, economy, and other characteristics mandate a specific type of foreign policy. That foreign policy must be forward-looking, proactive, innovative, and multifaceted. All of these factors put Turkey in the position to deal with “contagious conflicts” in its neighborhood, and Turkey has become more adept in complementing international efforts with its own initiatives.

The “web of conflicts” in the Middle East is one clear example of this. Issues which any country would include on its shortlist of priorities – Arab-Israeli peace, stability in Iraq and Lebanon, Iran’s nuclear program – are issues which Turkey has already become actively engaged in.

Turkey’s Foreign Policy

Lebanon: Turkey has contributed to efforts directed at resolving the current political crisis, and is in contact both with groups in Lebanon and governments of countries with influence there. Prime Minister Erdogan’s presence in Beirut, along with the Prime Minister of Qatar, as the only two heads of state invited for the recent presidential elections illustrates Turkey’s “silent but effective contribution to the peace and stability in Lebanon.” Turkey is also involved in humanitarian aid programs such as building schools throughout the country, regardless of the background of the group living in the area.

Israel-Syria talks: The success of these talks will improve the overall climate in the region; they are currently happening indirectly through Turkey. Syrian and Israeli leaders took the initiative to contact Turkey and request the talks, and if there is reasonable progress, the two sides will begin to speak directly.

Trust and confidence in Turkey are important and in fact provide the opportunity for these talks. For decades, relations between Turkey and Syria were not good; however, engaging Syria in dialogue starting five years ago has had positive results. The comfort level of tourists from different nations who visit Turkey, including Israel and Iran, is also significant in building trust in Turkey.

The process has received the support of the US, the Arab League, and the EU, and although it will not be an easy process, as long as some hope exists, it is worth trying.

Israeli-Palestinian conflict: Turkey is unique in having good relations with Israel and Arab countries at the same time. With regard to the Annapolis conference, Turkey worked to make it inclusive and involve as many countries as possible so as to avoid an opposition front after the conference. Turkey continues to support peace talks on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Iraq: A political solution to the current situation in Iraq is key, and Turkey remains in contact with all groups. Turkey is also dealing with the problem of PKK terrorism in Iraq with many different tools, including militarily.

It was Turkey which initiated the neighboring-countries process which is now the only international platform for discussing Iraq. This process is crucial in gaining international support for political unity in Iraq. No single country in the region wants a divided Iraq, and given Iraq’s history of different ethnicities and sects living together and lack of clear concentrations of ethnic groups or sects, dividing the country would prove difficult.

Turkey strongly believes that political reconciliation and a government and parliament where different groups are represented is possible and should be the focus of the international community.

Iran: Clearly Turkey is not in favor of nuclear weapons in its region, and stands behind sincere, frank, and principled political dialogue as the most effective way to address this issue. Turkey also supports the recent efforts of “P5 plus one” in terms of transparency and cooperation.

Caucuses: Important current issues in the Caucuses include the Nagorno-Karabakh conflicts and the ongoing occupation of Azerbaijan territories by Armenia. Conflicts such as those in Abkhazia and South Ossetia are troubling for Georgia and should be resolved peacefully and on the basis of territorial integrity. Several trilateral projects exist between Turkey, Azerbaijan and Georgia. Examples include the Tbilisi-Kars railroad project, the BTC pipeline for oil, and the Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum pipeline for gas.

Turkey has also been working to normalize relations with its neighbor Armenia. It has proposed a joint commission for history with the Armenian government to address the events of 1915, and is committed to facing the results found out by the commission.

Afghanistan and Pakistan: With peacekeeping troops present, Turkey is heavily engaged in Afghanistan. Its role is humanitarian as well, however, building hospitals, health care centers, schools across the country.

Turkey maintains excellent relations with Pakistan and has also been providing humanitarian aid to the country. Talking with all parties and calling for solidarity and unity is a priority, and this unity for a common goal between the different parties is necessary in order to cope with the challenges of Pakistan.

Turkey has also played a significant role bringing together President Musharraf and President Karzai in Turkey for a trilateral summit; the summit started a series of talks and now both leaders would like another trilateral summit to continue the process.

The Balkans and Russia: Relations with countries in the Balkans continue to go well. Turkey was one of the first countries to recognize Kosovo, and has been working with international organizations as well as with the US for stability, security and lasting peace in this region with which it has strong cultural and historical links. Since the end of the Cold War, Russia has become the second largest trading partner of Turkey.

Greece: The rapprochement process with Greece is also ongoing, and at the beginning of this year, the Prime Minister of Greece visited Turkey officially for the first time in 49 years. Issues are discussed openly, and Greece is supporting Turkey for the EU accession process, perhaps from the perspective that a Turkey which is part of the EU will make a better neighbor. Turkey has been working to achieve good neighborly relations with Greece and is getting good results.

Cyprus: Cyprus may be back on a positive trajectory; Turkey will continue to support the current process and encourage all the sides to find a solution to the Cyprus question. Several parameters of a comprehensive settlement - bi-zonality, political equality of the two sides, and equal status of the two constituent states, which will bring about the new partnership state - have evolved as a result of decades of negotiation.

Worldwide: By the end of 2009, an addition 30 new missions will have been opened around the world. At the beginning of 2008, the African Union designated Turkey a strategic partner. Turkey is opening 15 new embassies in sub-Saharan African countries, and the first summit will be held in Istanbul in August. Four new consulate generals are set to be opened in India, as well as more embassies in Latin America. Only last month, the foreign ministers of 16 South Pacific island states were invited to Turkey.

This overview of Turkey’s approach to a number of foreign policy issues provides unmistakable evidence of Turkey’s role as a key partner in regional and global affairs. As a member of the transatlantic community, and as a nation poised to join the European Union, Turkey will continue to be a significant player and valuable member of the democratic community of nations.

Also, Foreign Minister Babacan met with the TISD Board of Directors at his hotel on 8 June, 2008. At the beginning of the meeting, the TISD delegation gave a short briefing about the history of TIPS, its mission and projects, and the process of the opening of TISD in Washington, D.C.

Foreign Minister Babacan expressed his appreciation for the efforts of TIPS and TISD. He stressed the importance of “The PKK” book, which is the first publication of TISD, and the Istanbul Conferences. He said these activities fill an important gap in the security and democracy fields.

He also said that TISD has great potential in representing the vision of Turkey, which has shown a great improvement in terms of democracy and human rights in accordance with the requirements of the EU membership process. “We have not given up on democracy nor security since 2002,” he stated, “even though we have faced very critical issues in our region.”

He recommended that this potential be directed at appropriate fields which play an important role in providing reliable information about Turkey. “For that reason,” he said, “you should be not only in the best universities of the US but you should also aim to be in as many different universities as possible.”

*This essay is based on the transcript of the Atlantic Council Global Leadership Speaker Series speech of Foreign Minister Babacan. Find the full transcript at http://www.acus.org/aboutnews- Turkish-PM-speech.asp

**TISD Research Assistants