Davutoglu Relations

In many respects 2011 has certainly been a good year for Turkey. BN talked to its foreign Minister, Ahmet Davutoglu, who is one of the leading architects for the prosperity the country is enjoying.

Turkey by no means is a country which is easy to run. It is a country where is domestic policy and foreign policy are intertwined at all levels. Furthermore Turkey is developing a very important role in international politics. Luckily for them they have just the guy for the job. Davutoglu is a leading professor on international relations, an excellent public speaker and generally a pleasant politician, a good substitute to the stern faced negative politicians the country is used to.

Many western states pointed at Turkey during the Arab Spring when failed states were in search of new strategies to develop their countries. Although most of the Arabs were quick to shrug off the “Turkish Model”, many still seem to be suffering under the debris of the transformation. Clearly what works in one state cannot always be assured to work in another. However, Turkey has been surprising the world both diplomatically and economically almost every year for the past decade and we are sure Davutoglu still has a few tricks up his sleeve. We wanted to find out what those might be and his general views on the old and new developments around Turkey.

 Recently in a speech you said, “Isolation is the price Syria will pay for not living up to its promises to the Arab League”. What do you think is the future of Syria?

Regional ownership is vital in ending the crisis in Syria. In this vein, we welcome the resolute approach of the Arab League vis-à-vis the developments in Syria.

Despite the Arab League’s commendable efforts for ending the crisis in Syria, the Syrian Administration left the calls made by the Arab League unanswered. The last offer of the Arab League, which entailed sending observers to Syria, was a unique opportunity not to be missed. Syria however missed this last opportunity like previous other ones.

Syria is now paying the price for not honouring its commitments to the Arab League by being isolated in the Arab world. As a result, it is facing sanctions by Arab countries, Turkey and many other members of the international community.

The actions taken by the Arab League have been a display of solidarity with the people of Syria who have been repressed and victimized by the regime for their aspiration for universal rights such as democracy, freedom, human rights, the rule of law and accountability.

In this regard our vision and expectation for Syria is one with an administration, which eliminates tension in the country on the basis of ethnic or sectarian lines and embraces all segments of the society as its equal citizens regardless of their faith. It must be representative and at peace with its people.

These hold the key for a peaceful and stable Syria contributing to the regional peace and security.

We would like to live side by side with a strong and prosperous Syria, where its people and Government are united. The strength and prosperity of Syria will be the strength and prosperity of Turkey.

How successful has the zero problems with neighbours been? Since Turkey has lost Israel, Syria, and Iran and never even had Armenia as friends?

Turkey is surrounded with regions prone to instabilities; and events which take place in these areas have the potential to produce global repercussions in terms of stability and security. As a country directly affected by all these developments, Turkey naturally felt the need to pursue more proactive policies towards averting crises and steering events in a positive direction whenever possible.

It is with this understanding that we set the “zero problems with neighbours” policy and started taking decisive steps towards making positive contributions to stability, security and welfare both in our region and beyond.

So far, the zero problems with neighbours policy has actually been quite successful in creating a more positive agenda in our relations with neighbours and bringing prospects of cooperation to the forefront rather than being captive to disagreements.

Of course, no one expects all problems to be solved overnight and circumstances constantly change. Moreover, relationships are inherently two sided, which indicates that the outcome of efforts towards improving relationships and enhancing cooperation will also depend on the reactions of the other side. Our relations with Israel, Syria and Armenia should all be viewed in this perspective. The current difficulties do not arise from Turkey’s lack of determination to resolve problems but rather from the aggressive and/or intransigent policies of these countries.

However, we are determined to work towards the ideal of zero problems, as we believe that in the long run, these efforts will pave the way towards laying the groundwork for solving problems.

What is the solution for the Cyprus dilemma?

The Cyprus problem is now approaching half a century. In his Good Offices Mission report of 24 November 2010, the UN Secretary-General stated that the Cyprus problem had been continuing for 47 years since 1963. As for the parameters of the solution, they are in fact already out there based on the UN’s body of work representing the outcome of the negotiations for almost half a century. In essence, it calls for a new partnership between the Greek and Turkish Cypriot States that will reflect and protect the political equality of the two sides.

The last round of comprehensive negotiation process on the Island was initiated in 2008 under the auspices of the UN again with that main goal. Within this framework the leaders have met more than 130 times to date. So far, progress in the process has largely been achieved thanks to comprehensive and constructive proposals of the Turkish Cypriots, which were also appreciated by the other side and the UN.

On 1st November, following the conclusion of his most recent tripartite meeting with the two leaders in New York, the Secretary-General made a statement to the press, underlining that the progress made during the meeting had given him “confidence that a comprehensive settlement can be achieved”. Pointing out that further efforts were essential over the next two months to move to the “end game of the negotiations”, he announced that he had invited the two leaders to meet with him again in a similar format in January 2012.

As the Secretary-General stated, if enough progress can be made by then, the next stage will be convening a high-level meeting with the participation of the two sides and the three guarantors, namely Turkey, Greece and the United Kingdom, shortly thereafter. We see the high-level meeting not as an end in itself, but as a means to achieve the comprehensive settlement. The meeting will address all remaining issues that could not be agreed upon by the two sides in order to seal the settlement through a grand bargain.

We find this timetable encouraging, as it greatly reduces the risk of the negotiations being open-ended. The negotiations should produce a result within an appropriate and acceptable time frame in order to enable the new partnership state to be established in Cyprus to assume the EU Presidency in the second half of 2012. This would also help the EU to overcome once and for all the problems emanating from the unilateral accession of the Greek Cypriot side. It goes without saying that a member with UN troops and a half-century-old unresolved issue on the UN Security Council agenda does not add much to the EU’s prestige.

Turkey has given its full support to all the constructive initiatives put forth by the Turkish Cypriot side since the beginning of the current negotiation process three and a half years ago. What is needed is a similar commitment by the Greek Cypriot side. We expect all concerned parties to strongly encourage the Greek Cypriot side in the crucial period ahead to concentrate on reaching the goal of a comprehensive settlement.

We believe that focusing on the settlement process would also be to the political advantage of the Greek Cypriot leadership. It is evident that we are now entering a phase in which the sincerity not only of the two sides on the Island but also that of all concerned parties regarding a successful comprehensive settlement will be put to the test. The UK and Turkey are both guarantor powers in Cyprus. In this context, the role of the UK in the process is very important for the success of the UN process.

You recently called on the French authorities to reconsider their stance on the events of 1915, and possibly even host a discussion to finalize the matter. How objective do you think the French state can be considering their pressures from lobbyists? And, how do think this will affect the Armenian and Turkish people reconciliation process.

Indeed, I had the opportunity to discuss with the French Foreign Minister the creation of a joint history commission which could study the events of 1915. Turkey’s initial proposal of 2005 dealt exclusively with this commission. As would be recalled, Prime Minister Erdoğan made such a proposal in a letter sent to President Kocharian of Armenia. It was then backed by the leader of the main opposition and supported by a Parliamentary Declaration. Several countries have also supported our proposal but Armenia refrained from taking it on.

Later, with an aim to resolving differences and diverging interpretations about the shared history between our two nations, we started a normalization process with Armenia through the mediation of Switzerland. Culmination of this process was the signing of Protocols on 10 October, 2009, in Zürich. Among other things, the two countries agreed to establish a sub-commission on history. The aim of this sub-commission was to conduct an impartial scientific examination of historical records and archives.

Today, we still hope to reach a just memory with Armenia. I should also underline that the quest for a just memory was in fact inspired from the French philosophical tradition. In this regard, we have the political resolve to work with all countries who wish to contribute to establishing the truth through a joint history commission.

Most western states pointed to the Turkish model as a prime example after the Arab spring. Is there such thing as a one fits all Muslim states model?

Of course, there is no such thing as a one fits all Muslim States model.

The strength of the Arab Spring emanates from the fact that the drive for transformation is home grown. Each country in the region has its own characteristics. Therefore a single model can no way constitute a template.

The peoples of the region must be in the driving seat to steer the transformation in their respective countries. Yet, Turkey as a country with a predominantly Muslim population represents a living example that democracy, thriving liberal economy, modernity and Islam are compatible.

In this vein, Turkey remains ready to share its own experience of democracy as well as its institutional and technical accumulation with other countries in the region.

Turkey’s foreign trade has more than doubled in the last 10 years. Is the prominence of foreign affairs a main reason for this development?

The spirit of entrepreneurship of the Turkish people combined with politic stability, sound government policies and enduring economic reforms is the major driving force behind the economic prowess attained by Turkey during the last decade. Vibrant democracy, rule of law and a thriving market economy consolidate the position of Turkey as a reliable partner.

That said, the increasingly proactive posture of Turkish foreign policy which may be highlighted in terms of multi-lateralism and multi-regionalism, has also been instrumental in the emergence of new trade opportunities and economic interdependence. It is not by coincidence that with the adoption of zero-problem policy, the share of neighbouring countries in our foreign trade has almost quadrupled, along with a considerable increase in the investments from Turkey.

The crisis in Europe has meant that it is very expensive to trade with business in the region. Is Turkey now looking towards the East and maybe Africa to gain better advantage on its produce and even investments?

Turkey’s economic ties and trade relations with European countries have solid foundations built upon a plethora of longstanding common values and interests. In this respect, intensive efforts by Turkey to reach out to the other regional markets which had previously been under-emphasized, could not be construed as downgrading European vocation economically or otherwise.

Yet, dynamics of global economic transformation requires diversification of trade and full utilization of untapped potential for cooperation in every corner of the world. It is with this understanding that we open new air routes, negotiate new free trade agreements, expand diplomatic representation, establish visa free travel regimes and promote technical/development assistance. I am glad to state that our efforts have been yielding mutually inclusive benefits for all the involved parties

Nuclear power has allowed states like France to gain unprecedented success. Is the global community going to allow for a nuclear Turkey?

Access to civilian nuclear power is not an exclusive right reserved for certain countries only. All states, which comply with their obligations emanating from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) have the undisputed right to benefit from nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. Turkey is a party to the NPT. This right is recognized under Article 4 of the Treaty itself. All the Parties to the Treaty undertake to facilitate, and have the right to participate in, the fullest possible exchange of equipment, materials and scientific and technological information for the peaceful uses of nuclear energy.

States make their own sovereign decisions as to whether they develop research, production and use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. Third parties are obliged to respect these decisions. Turkey is resolutely committed to the goal of ensuring safe, secure and peaceful utilization of nuclear energy in compliance with our NPT obligations.

The Turkish Diaspora feels that the world still regards Turkey as a camel riding fez wearing 3rd world country. What is the Turkish government doing to counter this historic misconception?

Turkey has been a cradle of many civilizations, traditions and cultures throughout centuries. And today, on the basis of this rich historic background, Turkey stands as a modern state embracing universal values and continuing to advance in all walks of life. Therefore, it is so unfortunate that modern Turkey and what it stands for is still not fully grasped and understood by certain circles in Europe and elsewhere.

In order to address these misperceptions and promote an accurate picture of Turkey, my Ministry collaborates with all relevant institutions and organizations, especially with the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism, non-governmental organizations, private sector and academic circles.

The focus of our promotional policy is to introduce to the world, through various activities, our values, history, language and literature, archaeological assets, scientific achievements, arts, architecture, cuisine, and traditions. Our approach to this end is first and foremost to utilize the universal language of culture and art in order to leave a lasting impression in the minds of people.

Tourism is also another asset for promoting our culture. More than thirty million foreigners have visited Turkey in 2011 and it is a fact that those that visit Turkey leave our country with a much changed and positive perception.

That said, maybe the most important means to redress the misperceptions in the minds of others is through public diplomacy. To this end, we have stepped up our efforts to reach out to different segments of the world public opinion and provide them with the necessary information to better understand Turkey. In this context, dedicated programs towards the representatives of media, youth organizations, parliaments, civil society and business communities are of particular importance.

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