Today’s Zaman
06.09.2007

IHSAN DAGI

Foreign policy under the new AK Party government (2)

As understood from the government’s program and the appointment of Ali
Babacan as foreign minister, it is safe to say that the basic
orientation and objectives of Turkish foreign policy will not change
in this new period.
While its Western vocation is being reinforced with deeper EU
integration, Turkey will continue to pursue a high-profile regional
and global policy in which Eurasia, with the renewed competition over
the energy resources and transportation, will become ever more visible
in Turkish foreign policy. The recent interest in Africa, which used
to be a forgotten land for Turkish foreign policy, motivated by
economic and political searches, will also be intensified. The Justice
and Development Party (AK Party) government will respond to a highly
positive stance arising among the people of the Middle East by
continuing its search for regional solutions to regional problems and
supporting the Palestinians.

The policy of "zero problems with neighbors," which brought Turkey to
the forefront of regional politics, as a constructive element, will
certainly continue as its architect, Professor Ahmet Davutoðlu,
remains chief adviser to the foreign minister. It is important to note
that a cooperation and peace-oriented regional policy increased
Turkey’s political and economic weight in its region. Turkey thus
emerged in its region as an asset not liability for regional peace and
stability. I expect this will continue uninterrupted in the coming
years, underlining Turkey’s continued policy of restraint towards
Iran.

In all this the only exception has been Armenia. It would be wise for
the government to improve its relations with Armenia in order to be
consistent with its "zero-problems with neighbors" policy. While
Turkey alone cannot be blamed for the current state of the
relationship between the two countries and communities, it can afford
to take the first step in engaging in a constructive dialogue with
Armenia. Among other signs, this will demonstrate Turkey’s principled
"dialogue policy" in its region. Let’s have the honor of taking the
first step by opening the border with Armenia and wait for the
Armenians to reciprocate. The key to doing so is not to be overcome by
a short-sighted nationalism.

Another area in which the AK Party should show political wisdom,
vision and maturity and go beyond nationalistic sentiments is with the
Cyprus issue. If the government really considers EU membership as a
long-term strategic objective, it should continue its policy of
constructive engagement on this particular issue. The status quo was
not the solution back in 2002, as courageously demonstrated by the AK
Party government. Since then, by supporting the UN plan and
encouraging domestic political actors who are pro-solution on the
island, the AK Party has changed the status quo. Now a pro-solution
president and political party rule over the island. Internationally
the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (KKTC) has gained increasing
visibility and legitimacy. Yet this "new status quo" is not a solution
either. It is time to employ some new initiatives to do away with the
deadlock on the issue.

The basic demand of the EU now is to allow Greek Cypriot vessels to
have access to Turkish ports. The Turkish side in return asks from the
EU to end the isolation of the Turkish half on the island. A decisive
policy motivated by good will and cooperation to further the EU-Turkey
relations may find a middle ground.

The government should emancipate itself from the opposition parties’
accusations of "selling out" Cyprus. I think the last election
vindicated the AK Party’s pro-reform policy on Cyprus. It is now time
to be not apologetic but decisive. Without overcoming the anxiety that
a new initiative on Cyprus will stir a nationalist opposition, no
progress can be made. Following a bargain with the EU that eases the
situation in northern Cyprus, the government should send the bill
expanding the custom union with the EU to include the Greek Cyprus to
Parliament for approval. The AK Party is capable of dealing with
nationalist opposition. So it should not hide behind the excuse of
possible nationalist backlash over the issue.

Managing Turkey’s relations with the US remains to be the toughest
task. There are two negative elements blocking a short-term
improvement of the relationship; first, an anti-AK Party clique in the
US who sacrifices Turkish-American relations for the sake of their
ideological dispositions, and the second, a strong anti-American
Turkish nationalist group composed of some academics, bureaucrats and
politicians who accuse the US of plotting against Turkey’s integrity
and regime.

Turkish-American relations cannot and should not be hijacked by these
ideologically minded adventurists. I believe that Turkish American
relations will not fall victim to these radical elements in both
countries. While the last election in Turkey has weakened the
Kemalist-nationalist anti-American groups in the US, it seems highly
likely that the power of those neocons will disappear by the end of
next year. Once these groups are sidelined, the issues concerning both
sides will be more negotiable.

06.09.2007
Columnists

Source: berno=121314