TURKEY’S TOP NATIONAL SECURITY BODY DISCUSSES CAUCASUS UNION
Hurriyet
Aug 21 2008
Turkey
Turkey’s National Security Council (MGK) discussed Thursday the recent
situation in the Caucasus after the rise in tension in the region
had forced a change in the agenda. New developments in Turkey-Armenia
relations were also being discussed. (UPDATED)
MGK met in Istanbul on Thursday. Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip
Erdogan briefed the council on his recent visits to Russia, Georgia
and Azerbaijan, as well as the government’s plans to hold contacts
with Armenia on its proposal for forming a Caucasian union.
Foreign Minister Ali Babacan informed the council on the Tuesday’s
extraordinary NATO meeting in Brussels.
The start of the comprehensive talks to end the 44-year division
of Cyprus was expected to top the council’s agenda. However the
clashes between Russia and Georgia have forced the MGK to change its
agenda. The reunification talks in Cyprus would start on Sept. 3. MGK
said in its post-meeting statement that the cooperation with Northern
Cyprus would continue "in a highly sensitive manner" during the
negotiations.
The third item on the MGK agenda includes Iraq and Turkey’s fight
against PKK terrorism. The council reiterated its commitment in
fighting against PKK terrorism.
Under this topic, the status of Kirkuk was also discussed in the
meeting.
TENSION IN CAUCASUS
Clashes erupted in Caucasus on Aug. 8 when Georgian forces launched
an operation to regain control in the breakaway region of South
Ossetia. Russia’s harsh military response intensified the clashes and
the conflict spread wide into the other breakaway regions in Georgia.
Russia and Georgia had signed the peace deal and Moscow vowed to
withdraw its troops by Friday. Russia says there could be no talk of
territorial integrity of Georgia.
The conflict had proved that the political landscape in the region
would change. Turkey faces a tough task in ensuring a balance policy
for the neighboring region between pro-West Georgia and its energy
partner Russia.
Turkey had proposed the formation of a Caucasian union to strengthen
economic ties between the countries in the region to contribute to
the peaceful solution of the problems.
Erdogan had visited Georgia, Russia and Azerbaijan, and all of them
extended their support to the idea. Turkey also would hold talks with
Armenia, a country it does not have diplomatic relations, an attempt
welcomed by Yerevan.
The new era between Turkey-Armenia relations is expected to be
discussed at the MGK meeting. Turkey relaxed its air space quota
for Armenia following the Caucasus crisis after Turkish and Armenian
diplomats held a couple of rounds of secret talks.
President Abdullah Gul was expected to bring up the Armenian invitation
to watch a football game between the two countries’ national teams
in Yerevan on Sept. 6, however there was no reference to this subject
in the post-meeting statement. Gul is yet to decide whether to accept
the invitation or not.
Thursday’s MGK meeting was the last for the retiring Chief of Staff
Gen. Yasar Buyukanit, who would be replaced by Land Forces Commander
Ilker Basbug, on Aug. 30.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress