FULL-TEXT OF TURKISH PRESIDENT ABDULLAH GUL’S LECTURE ON ‘TURKISH FOREIGN POLICY IN THE NEW ERA’ AT USAK

Journal of Turkish Weekly
Dec 3 2009

Turkish President Abdullah Gul delivered a speech on "Turkish Foreign
Policy in the New Era" at International Strategic Research Organization
(USAK). The full-text of the speech is available:

Dear President, Honored USAK members, Honored Guests,

First of all, I would to greet you with respect and well wishes. Also,
I am very pleased to be here for the opening of USAK’s new building.

Since 2004, USAK has operated successfully as an independent think-tank
in the fields of politics, economy, law, social sciences, security,
and informs the public with true and sufficient news. I believe that
USAK fulfills an important responsibility; hence, I would like to
express my appreciation and wishes for success to USAK President
Dr. Sedat Laciner and to his colleagues.

I am absolutely confident that USAK will continue these important
activities with more enthusiasm in its new building.

Dear Guests, As you know, I am an academician as well. But I worked
for more than four years as the Foreign Affairs Minister. I worked
in the European Council Parliamentary Assembly for more than ten
years. Since 2007, in the framework of my Presidential duties, I have
been in the middle of a very intensive foreign affairs agenda.

That’s why I am saying that as a member of the opposition party, as
a member of the ruling party, as a member of parliament, as a Prime
Minister, as a Minister and at present as a President, I have taken
responsibility in different positions with the Foreign Affairs issues.

I was working as an economist in the Islamic Development Bank in the
1980s. There was no such thing called e-mail at that time. We were
using other communication means for communicating with our opponents
and other countries. When I was elected as a Member of Parliament
and became a European Commission Parliamentary Assembly member, the
European Council did not yet have a web-site. But now, we can find,
see and read all the reports and all other important materials and also
we can send our feedback about these reports and important materials.

Twenty years have passed. Together, we are realizing how everything
has changed in that time. Today, there is tremendous information and
news traffic. I just wanted to remind you of these progressions. TV
channels, newspapers’ online web-sites, news sites are sharing all the
news and what’s going even in the remote parts of the world. Almost
like watching a football match, we are watching the important news
of the world.

Now, the ongoing process of transformation and change, no doubt,
requires a serious adaptation. Everyone should adapt him/herself to
these transformations and changes. Because today, information is
not only under the monopoly of official authorities. In contrast,
civil channels are gaining importance day by day. We can use Google in
order to see inside buildings, see the gardens of places that we could
never get closer to. In this context, of course, public diplomacy is
attracting more and more attention in terms of foreign policy.

Furthermore, only doing the right thing is not enough; the reasons
for following policies should be properly explained. This is not only
about foreign policies, but is also valid for the governance of the
country. Because people are watching their representatives on TV,
following them in live broadcasts; ‘What’s he saying? What did he
promise me? What’s he doing there? What did he promise about how
he would behave and in what way he is putting his hands up when he
is voting for something?’ Hence, there is a fantastic atmosphere of
transparency. This is valid both for foreign and domestic politics.

Therefore, in my opinion, think-tanks and research organizations like
USAK are playing very important roles by expressing society’s ideas,
views and suggestions to influence the decision making processes and
are also playing an important role to explain, to describe official
policies to the domestic and foreign public. These are the things
that I mean when I mention keeping pace with the requirements of
the century.

Here, I strongly believe that we should pay attention to two subjects.

One of them, raising Turkey’s standards in technology and industry to
the level of advanced industrialized nations is surely a prerequisite
for world competition.

There are big and important improvements in adopting technology
for both the public and private sector in Turkey. Turkey possesses
the technology of the most developed countries, especially in
informatics technology. But assuming the possession of technological
improvements alone is sufficient is wrong. Adapting ourselves will
provide intellectual transformation. Of course it’s not easy. We are
taking technology and adopting it, but intellectual transformation
takes time and requires the process of convincing people.

When we look at the subject in terms of foreign politics, I would
especially like to underscore the importance of think-tanks and
research organizations. I believe that in order to be able to
understand the deep, complex, and multidimensional global, political
and economic relations, we need to have active associations and
mechanisms. Think-tank and research organizations together with
official associations are very important for explaining and defining
the government’s policies to the international community and the
public.

In the modern world, it is more important for countries to explain
themselves by using civil channels than by official channels.

Moreover, it is more effective to explain your issues with civil
channels; it leads to quicker results and it is more long lasting
because people who are taking official responsibility, such as the
President, Prime Minister, Minister, Ambassador or any other official,
will explain the stance of his country from the official point of view
no matter if he believes in it or not. Thus, it is not that effective.

But when civil society, scientists, men of thought, journalists explain
these issues faithfully, then it is more convincing. Likewise, again
MP’s meeting together with their interlocutors and discussing in a
free atmosphere gives better results. In this context, I give much
importance to think-tanks and research organizations.

Also, I would like to express that in developed countries, in big
countries, in progressive countries, one of the factors that makes
these countries powerful is the existence of study centers, think-tanks
and research organizations. Turkey is a little bit late at that
point as the USAK President mentioned previously. But today, what is
attracting is to see that these kinds of good ‘think-tank’s are being
established. I am really very pleased to see these improvements and
today I came here to support these activities. Because in developed,
large and powerful countries, think-tanks such as CFR and Chatham House
are very important and quite serious subjects have been discussed
behind their closed doors. As a person who knows very well what
they say, how they talk in these institutes and organizations, and
how their ideas are applied to politics, I care that these kinds of
activities are realized in our country. There are valuable diplomats,
journalists, scientists among you. I see and know them from these
kinds of meetings and consequently I would like to encourage people who
know the importance, significance and necessity of these activities.

Dear Guests, Last week, we celebrated the 86th anniversary of the
foundation of the Turkish Republic. In fact, to a large extent there
is an agreement on the basic principles of our constitution, and our
having a state governed by rule of law together with democratic, and
secular principles. If we look back to the early days, it is easy to
see the progress made by our country. I believe that at the end of this
century, a very powerful Turkey will be at stake. I believe that we are
developing on the way to this progress. Under these circumstances, what
I believe is that there should be a free atmosphere for discussions
on internal and external issues. If countries cannot resolve their
problems by discussing them in an open, transparent environment then
those problems will be transferred as burdens to next generations’
shoulders. In this respect, I am pleased to see a lively debate
atmosphere in Turkey today. I think all the results of these debates
will lead to progress in Turkey. Because the foundation of Turkey is
so strong. Because the basic ideas of Turkey are so strong.

When it comes to foreign policy issues, I would like to tell you this:
Our country, with our joint efforts, is increasingly becoming a global
center of interest. According to our spending parity, if we look at the
GNP of a trillion dollars, it will be easy to realize that Turkey is
a center of interest. Nevertheless, our economic power together with
political influence and growing population enables Turkey to allocate
more resources for international relations, to play a determining
and transmitting role and makes the efforts to establish welfare and
stability easier. Thanks to this, extending from Asia to Africa, Turkey
is an appreciated country in terms of the humanitarian and technical
aid it provides. I just want you to note that once Turkey was the
recipient country. I would like to remind you that today Turkey is
in the club of aiders and has made donations totaling one billion
dollars just in terms of humanitarian aid. Whereupon, our temporary
membership to the UN Security Council was realized with phenomenal
support, and we do our best to do our proportion of work there.

The weight of our state in the international arena, its stance on
issues, the foreign policy direction are permanent factors. We should
not forget that this is a relay race and a win-win game. This will
be at the top of the internal policy agenda. For sure, the whole
world appreciates that Turkey, with a Muslim majority population,
managed to establish rules and associations based on democracy and
a free market economy, to take crucial steps towards transparency
and cultural rights. However, they will be most appreciated by our
own people. All these are not the efforts to win the admiration of
the world or to attract attention, but the good things done to pay
back to our own people and I would like this to be perceived in
this way. Since the foundation of the republic, Turkey has been a
role model for all the world with its democratic and secular system,
and contemporary cultural identity. I believe that we should act with
the awareness of this responsibility.

Pursuant to Ataturk’s noble principle of "peace at home, peace in
the world", we keep on following multidimensional, comprehensive,
responsible and ethical policies. Turkish foreign policy is not
focused on pure interests. Turkey has the right and the authority
to indicate its right and wrongs honestly. The prestigious past and
specific regional relations of Turkey gives it the responsibility to
criticise even its allies and defend the rightful things in any case.

In case of necessity, Turkey is able to warn its allies by taking
the "true friend tells the painful truth unsparingly" policy into
consideration. Yet, while doing this it gives great importance not to
damage the basis of friendly relations. In this respect, our foreign
policy is ethical and moral. Turkey acts in the framework of law and
legitimacy. I believe that it is so important. Because of your ethical
behaviour, even they oppose your ideas, they respect you and you will
not find yourself in difficulties. Just so, you have the capability
to continue your ethical behaviour. Democracy, human rights, pacta
sunt servanta are our priorities. Both our distant and recent history
is full of examples of these kinds of activities.

In case of necessity, the Turkish Grand National Assembly as the symbol
of national freedom and will has bravely made decisions which cannot be
made by most of the assemblies all over the world. Even in its days of
weakness Turkey managed to make brave foreign policy moves despite the
big countries’ oppositions. Turkey continues this ethical and moral
behaviour today, as well. Our main goal is to promote stability,
security and welfare to preserve our national interests. In order
to reach this goal, peaceful resolution of conflicts with active and
proactive diplomatic initiatives is necessary.

Turkey is at a very effective geopolitical location. There are lots
of conflicts surrounding us. With no doubt, these can be resolved with
mutual efforts. It is not realistic or fair to wait for bilateral good
faith gestures. Thus, there should not be a perception to wait for
a complete resolution at any price. But also these problems cannot
be solved by idleness, either. Thus, it is important to establish
a flexibility and a sensitive balance between national interests
applying for the foreign policies of all countries including Turkey.

Basically, it is important to foster an atmosphere for regional
and international dialogue which constitutes a common denominator
protecting both sides’ interests to solve the problems with a win-win
game understanding rather than having a zero sum game perception.

Turkey, with its long-established experienced diplomacy understanding,
has the capability, capacity and power to use this win-win oriented
method of resolution.

I would like to reiterate that some have perceptions of Turkey as in a
muddle, asking questions such as "Where is Turkey going? Does it keep
to the East or to the West?". I frankly state that these are not the
facts. What Turkey does is extremely obvious and clear. It of course
keeps both to the east, to the west, to the north, to the south,
and to everywhere. The significant point is the values of Turkey
develops through each direction: democratic values, rule of law,
respect to human rights, transparency, liability to render account,
subjects on women-men equality, functioning of free market economy.

In all of these topics, looking at Turkey’s path can help to better
determine its direction. I believe that some of the other things have
been written in good faith. The good faith is in terms of warning
those who could not understand the value of Turkey and in terms of
attracting attention to some of our friends. In my belief, some other
written things include jealousy and some of them are results of lack
of knowledge about this position and attitude of Turkey. Sometimes
I read some ideas in articles that are off-the-wall. None of them
are valid. Turkey knows what it is doing. As I mentioned before, the
significant thing is according to which trends and to which direction
Turkey is developing these internal values. If a short study is
conducted about this topic, we can observe that Turkey is developing
in a direction of improving all the values that I stated. Surely,
there are some deficiencies. Surely, there are so many things to do.

The pace, speed and height of this trend can be discussed, this is
a separate issue. However, discussing the direction is mainly due to
lack of knowledge.

Secondly, I would like to emphasize that what Turkey wants to do in
its region is to promote peace. Because there cannot be any economic
development, cooperation or welfare in any region with no stability,
security. The people of that country cannot be satisfied. Therefore,
the first aim of Turkey in its relations with neighbors and the region
is conflict resolution and promoting stability. On this basis, it
wants to promote peace in a wide area and provide economic cooperation
as much as possible. This is the way to welfare. In any region of
the world, in which regional stability could not be established,
one cannot see any kind of economic development since most of the
resources are shifted to security matters. In this region, when
Turkey’s historical background, location, and level of development are
taken into consideration, we think that Turkey is responsible because
of this and therefore Turkey will keep following its policies on this.

As I previously mentioned, undoubtedly, this policy is not a zero sum
game but a win-win game. Thus, not with a narrow understanding but
with a broad one, it is possible to see that everyone’s interest lies
here. I believe that there should be the same big rapid development
in our region like the development that occurred immediately after the
resolution of border conflicts, some other major issues, and security
issues with OSCE decisions in Europe and Helsinki. Thus, Turkey should
take the initiative when we consider the region more broadly other
than with its border neighbors. Turkey does this in the Caucasus.

Turkey also aims at the nuclear disarmament of Middle East and nuclear
disarmament of our region. If this is properly addressed, I strongly
believe it is possible to be done.

As it can be remembered from 1990s First Gulf War, this issue was taken
to the UN Security Council and there had been two attempts for it:
Nuclear disarmament of the Middle East and of all the countries in
Middle East matter. In my opinion, these issues should be addressed
with determination. I believe that the unbending attitudes of the 5
permanent members of the UN Security Council, mainly the USA, will
make all these developments possible.

Dear Guests, It is not necessary to mention what kind of a government
project is the process leading to Turkey’s EU membership. Sometimes
we hear some unpleasant expressions about this issue, directly or
indirectly. In fact, we do not take these into consideration. These
expressions aim to derail Turkey. Turkey will not be derailed;
I definitely want to say that, because juristic grounding is
so strong. Turkey begins negotiations. When Turkey fulfills the
criteria, surely, full membership will become true. Privileged or
limited memberships are not valid in the concept of the EU. Moreover,
this kind of a membership does not exist. This morning, I met with
former Foreign Minister of Germany, Mr. Genscher. While discussing
this issue, he said that Turkey is already a privileged member at a
high degree. What can be possible beyond this? Turkey is a partner
in foreign politics. It participates in EU’s foreign politics at 95
percent. This is the same in security issues. Our militaries are
together in troubled areas of the world. In the framework of the
Customs Union, for almost 15 years, we have reset the customs with
most powerful industries in Europe. We are at a level to be able to
compete. There is nothing beyond this.

Stating beyond this is rhetoric and lack of faith for a future
powerful Europe.

You should go back to a Europe with 6 founding members if you adopt
such behavior and such comments. However, Europe has already discussed
these issues and got over them. Certainly, we cannot ignore the current
difficulties happening in Europe. It is possible to observe such
cyclical problems in Europe, like in every country. These problems
should never cause strategies to change. At this point, Turkey is
absolutely determined. Turkey will meet its responsibilities during
negotiations. And the European Union will observe nothing else.

Some people say to me "Europe is tired, so we have to stop for
a while". We do not expect Europe to do something! We just want
Europe to watch us. It is for us to do something. Turkey is the one
to implement reforms, not Europe. They will just say whether "okay,
you achieved our standards" or "not". Therefore, the feeling of pacta
sunt servanda should be underlined. Because if countries or leaders
think or give the feeling that their signature is a joke or they
are not binding, then there will emerge large gaps in trust and a
very dangerous situation. I believe that these kinds of things are
temporary. Thus, Turkey will continue along its path decisively.

As I mentioned in previous days, after Turkey’s completion of
negotiations, some countries have already decided to go for a
referendum We will respect their decisions. We cannot know what will
be the decision of Turkish public at that time, as in the case of
other countries. However, these issues are not to be discussed today.

Dear participants, I lastly want to discuss this: Certainly, the US
is at a very important point in Turkey’s foreign politics, and most
of time, the agendas of Turkey and the US are overlapping in world
related cases.

Sometimes, as Foreign Minister or President of Turkey, I have asked
US presidents to write down the issues that they are interested
in. And I continued by saying that I would write down issues too and
then we would put them together and see how many countries are there
for which we have similar agendas. Actually, they are aware of this
fact. There are couple of issues in which we are not interested. Now,
due to our responsibilities in the UN Security Council, we have become
interested in them too: those related with Korea and some others.

Needless to say, Turkey is not a super power; its responsibility
cannot be at the same scale as the US’s. However, Turkey also has
very important responsibilities due to its geographical location and
its historical relationships. It continues to conduct these issues
with the USA on the basis of reciprocal respect, understanding and
cooperation and it is content with this. In particular, President
Obama’s first overseas visit to Turkey, which took place at the
beginning of his official duty, became notably very beneficial. We
have always had the chance to consult on all issues broadly and to
transfer all our knowledge and experiences at the beginning of the
matter. I argue that this period needs to be evaluated very well,
because the President of the US announced something after he took
office: "I will not act unilaterally, but we will act multilaterally,
we will negotiate with our partners, listen to them and eventually, we
will explain our decisions and we will be in a great solidarity." This
mentality led to a feeling of being at ease to the world. I hope that
this mentality can be interpreted very well and allow for solutions
to many chronic problems to be reached. The Middle East, the nuclear
issues, in all these matters, the politics should be considered well.

Finally, I want to express this: especially Afghanistan and Pakistan,
or rather the issue of Afghanistan, the name of Pakistan is necessarily
included with Afghanistan due to being its neighbour, but in fact,
the issue belongs to Afghanistan. The Afghanistan case is similar to
that of the Middle East, which is a great event and a global issue
that the world is interested in. If things are going wrong, this
can turn out to be more insurmountable problem. Therefore, close
concern for this region is a common responsibility. We, as Turkey,
are aware of our responsibility. Because of this, twice we undertook
the responsibility for commandership of ISAF by ourselves.

Now, three or four days ago, we took over the Regional Commandership
of Kabul related to security issues. However, I believe this: as a
person who often visits Afghanistan and knows this country, and as I
pointed out in the meetings of NATO and in my speeches as the minister
of Foreign Affairs and President, Afghanistan is not an issue that
can be solved only by means of military and its methods. This problem
cannot be concluded regardless of Afghan people’s sympathy. So far,
much has been spent on military expenses. However, the fact is
obvious. When I visited Afghanistan, I completely walked around Kabul.

I also went outside of the city. I saw an international force,
soldiers; American soldiers, the soldiers of NATO, Turkish soldiers,
including Afghan soldiers. The poor clothes of Afghan soldiers and
their needy conditions without helmets and boots, on the other side,
the other soldiers with full equipment… These two kinds of soldiers
act together; this strategy and policy are unacceptable. In fact,
Afghans say, "train our soldiers, trust us, provide clothes and
equipment, we do our job by ourselves, your children should not
sacrifice themselves for us." They say this very clearly.

However, unfortunately, there is a weakness in this direction. For
instance, when the matter comes to winning Afghan people’s hearts,
frankly, no one acts as Turkey does. Without any doubts, we appreciate
what has been done. I am saying as a comparison, I said that I walked
around Kabul step by step; the streets of Kabul are muddy and people,
children, women walk around these muddy places. I insist, "Let’s pave
this, let’s win this society", however, no fund could be provided.

Now, Turkey has started paving Kabul through TIKA. This is winning
one’s heart. Once upon a time, in a country where the girls were
forbidden to go out, Turkish NGOs are now opening schools for
thousands of girls. For example, I went to open a college for 2000
girls. Babacan had visited them in his period as Minister of Foreign
Affairs. Davutoglu is travelling throughout Afghanistan. In this
respect, Turkey is in close cooperation with Pakistan in order to
solve the problems of Afghanistan. I am sure that you have watched
closely. Three times, the Presidents of Pakistan and Afghanistan have
come together to negotiate how to work more efficiently. Turkey made
great contributions to the development of cooperation, especially
between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Finally, it happened for the first
time that the President of General Staff, intelligence organizations
and the Presidents of these three countries came together in Ankara. I
believe that these things will all bring about good results.

The security and stability in Caucasus are important to all of us. If
stability is not established in the Caucasus, the Caucasus is like a
wall which separates the East and the West. On the contrary, if there
is a solution and stability in this region, the Caucasus can turn
out to be an area in which cooperation extensively flourishes. The
events in Georgia indicated that the frozen problems can always
explode and they can cause important consequences. Think about it,
if the Montreux Agreement had not been completely implemented during
the war in Georgia, if huge ships had entered the small Black Sea,
and they had confronted there, clashing as the planes in a conflict,
what would have come about? For this reason, Turkey continues its
policy with principles. Some courageous steps have been taken to reach
the solutions of the Caucasus’ problems. In this sense, I hope that
the normalization process which has been launched with Armenia will
be concluded. In the same way, the Caucasus is another reality, and
indeed, the territories of Azerbaijan are occupied. I would like to
say regarding this issue that there are various debates on Karabagh,
but these territories of Azerbaijan belong to this country without
any doubt. In this regard, there are not any claims from the Armenian
side to be in question. In this respect, the attempts which focus
on the evacuation of these territories under invasion, I believe,
will easily solve many problems there.

The point making me content is that the workings of the Minsk group,
which have been going on in silence and at a low level for the past
18 years, have recently come to the agenda of President Medvedev
and Obama within the last year with the politics that Turkey also
followed, and they have been conducted at their level. In my opinion,
both of these countries, Azerbaijan and Armenia are content with this.

Dear Guests, Opening ten new embassies and staffing them demonstrates
the most significant signs of Turkey’s activity in Africa. The
historical ties with Africa are being revived. Our relations with
Africa take its roots from human relations beyond trade, finance, and
politics. I believe that everyone is responsible for Africa. Africa’s
resources have been transferred for ages. Now, everyone should pay its
dues back to Africa. In early ages, we did not have the possibility
to reach information on the living standards of Africa since we did
not have internet and television, as I mentioned at the beginning of
my speech.

We did not know the grievances of children and women there. Yet it is
impossible to be kept in that way in this age. There is bitterness in
one side, but happiness on the other. Thus, everyone should show an
undivided interest in Africa without losing time. Turkey indicates its
responsibility towards Africa. TIKA has significant efforts in Africa.

It is my belief that this policy pursued by Turkey is always
appreciated by the international community.

Needless to say, all these are being expressed sufficiently, as I
previously mentioned, by the government commissioners. Yet, there is
a strong civilian influence in these discussions, from journalists
to scientists to researchers.

Beyond a doubt, this is not meant to direct you, you will surely state
your own, uninfluenced, opinions. While discussing sensitive issues,
you will advise Turkey on what is going on all around the world
for the purposes of conveying information in the best way. In this
regard, I am so happy that think tanks are being established and are
developing in Turkey. Within this framework, I came here with this
perception. Maybe this is a small building and you may be a limited
number, but I believe that you will grow rapidly in a short time period
and new organizations will be established by following your example.

First of all, I would like to thank those who have contributed to you.

These things could not have been accomplished without financial
support. There has been no government aid in these efforts; I would
like to reaffirm this here. These are the fruits of the contributions
of people who set their hearts on this job. I congratulate you and
all your contributors.

We, of course, follow you closely. From now on, most of you are not
only members of this organization but also journalists and inevitable
contributors to television talks. You both enlighten the people and
give messages to specific people you wish to reach. Here, this is what
open society means. I mention these things while saying that Turkey’s
soft power is growing stronger and representing an example. I strongly
believe in this. In most of my lectures, I always reiterated what
makes a country powerful. First of all, its democracy should be strong,
undoubtedly. Its democracy, in its broad meaning soft power, should be
open; law should be open and transparent and clear. There will not be
a differentiation between domestic-foreign but just-unjust. Everyone
will be equal. It will apply to all areas of commercial law, human
rights, and all others. Turkey makes significant progress towards
these matters. Under these circumstances, the economy would certainly
be strengthened. Today we naturally realize it.

Democratic reforms and legal reforms are the major causes behind
Turkey’s gradually growing economy.

Without a doubt, the Turkish Armed Forces, of which we are proud,
gives weight to Turkey’s power. I would like to underline that
the Turkish Armed Forces and security forces play a major role in
Turkey’s status as a crucial ally. It would be impossible to make the
aforementioned foreign policy moves and have accomplishments abroad
if Turkish democracy, economy and armed forces were not strong enough.

Thus, internal matters are the deep motive behind everything.

Possessing an orderly powerful home lies behind everything. Providing
this order is not the responsibility or duty of anyone but ourselves.

I believe that all the discussions are developing in ways that will
make Turkey much stronger and everyone will witness this.

I again wish you good luck, thank you.