November 19, 2009 |  7 comments |  Print this Article | E-Mail Your Opinion  

Topic Europe: Prevent Turkey Turning East

Ghassan Dahhan: Europe should be alerted by Turkey’s foreign policy shift and start treating Turkey as a respected ally, by offering Turkey real EU membership prospects. Turkey is of major strategic importance to Europe and it is up to the politicians of EU member states to alter public opinion.

Most Europeans used to think that a rejection of Turkey's accession to the EU would leave Turkey to sit idly by. However, considering Turkey's expanding geopolitical influence, it should not have been hard to predict that this scenario could unfold differently.  Recent developments show that Turkey has adopted a new foreign policy, which basically says: ‘If not westwards, than eastwards'.

Turkey's change of attitude has caused considerable political consternation in the Middle East. The country is currently flexing its muscles in a region where it has not been this prominent since the end of the Ottoman Empire. Western policy makers view Turkey's foreign policy shift with great anxiety. With Iran, Syria, Sudan, Hamas and Hezbollah welcoming Turkey's comeback on the regional political stage, their fears have only been fuelled.

What has led Turkey to shift its foreign policy orientation towards the Middle East? Some claim that this new approach is the result of the AKP's Islamic orientation. However, more than anything, Europe's denunciation of Turkey's accession to the EU has prompted Turkey to re-orientate its foreign policy.

Since the 9/11 attacks, Europe is seeking to reinvent its culture. The European identity is broadly being defined as based on Christian-Judean-Humanistic foundations. Nationalists across Europe have argued that Turkey does not fit into the EU due to its Islamic tradition. By emphasizing Europe's 'shared tradition' they have successfully galvanized opposition among the European population against Turkish accession. The more support nationalists gained, the more (electoral) pressure has been exerted on EU policymakers to abandon serious talks with their Turkish counterparts.

The nationalists' increasingly hostile rhetoric with regard to Turkey has not served Europe's material interests, and is in fact pushing Europe towards confrontation with Turkey. Due to Turkey's geographic location, the country has emerged as the most important energy hub in the region. Because of European uneasiness regarding their increasing dependence on Russian energy, one would expect a rapprochement towards Turkey; instead, Europe has been alienating Turkey. 

Not only could Turkey boost Europe's geopolitical strength in the wake of an ongoing competition for control of energy supplies, it could also function as a bridge between the Middle East and ‘Fort Europe'. Turkey could provide the EU access to a region that is of essential strategic importance.

Despite its new foreign policy, Turkey has not significantly changed its behavior. Therefore it is not too late to halt Turkey's reorientation towards the East. To this end, several points need to be addressed. First, the EU has to reassess its relation with Turkey based on material (mutual) interests, instead of cultural divergence. With this in mind, Turkey must be persuaded to return to the negotiation table by offering serious talks about the prospects of EU accession along with unambiguous, clearly stated demands.

Second, Turkey perceives itself as a regional heavyweight and expects to be treated accordingly. Depending on how the West deals with Turkey it could either play a constructive role or become an undermining factor in the region. If Turkey would be treated as a respected ally, instead of as a buffer state, it would have more of an incentive to play a constructive role in which, for example, it could provide the West a way out of the nuclear stalemate with Iran. Therefore the EU and the US should engage Turkey more actively when it comes to important issues in the Middle East such as Iraq - especially with regard to Kurdistan - the Israeli-Palestinian peace process, and the nuclear standoff with Iran. Simultaneously, the EU should work on the improvement of the strained relations between Israel and Turkey. The EU should press Israel to resume peace negotiations with Syria in which Turkey should be allowed to continue to mediate between the two states.

Finally, there is a lot of work to be done in the European public debate. Perceptions can be altered by raising awareness of Turkey's strategic importance and by informing the public about the additional benefits that come with Turkish accession. Ultimately, this responsibility lies with the governments of EU member states. The Irish rejection of the EU Lisbon Treaty illustrates the problem Europe is facing. Cultural issues, as in the case with Turkey, predominantly motivated the Irish ‘no'. Nevertheless, the ‘no' turned into a ‘yes' when the public was informed about the negative effects of identity politics. Europe should draw a lesson from this: identity politics have not led Europe anywhere. For that reason, it is time for Europe to pursue its material interests. Preventing Turkey from going eastward is therefore essential.

Ghassan Dahhan is pursuing a MA in International Relations at the University of Amsterdam.

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Tags: | Turkey | Fort Europe | EU | Middle East |
 
Comments
Greg Randolph Lawson

November 19, 2009

Greg Randolph Lawson, Wikistrat, Platinum Contributor (507)

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I tend to think there is a confluence of events surrounding Turkey's eastwardn shift. Without doubt, part of it is the result of the consistent snubs it has received from Europe especially coming at a time when Turkish geopolitical influence is increasing. However, the rise of the AKP is not an insubstantial cause either.

We're a long way from any sort of "neo-Ottoman" Turkey, but Europe should reconsider how to integrate Turkey into its sphere or risk having a challenge back on its doorstep, particularly with Turkish efforts to influence the Balkans.

The U.S., in the meantime, should also push Europe aggressively to anchor Turkey in the "West." The alternative is not in its interests.
Tags: | Turkey |
 
Kazimierz Wiesak

November 20, 2009

Kazimierz Wiesak, Pennsylvania State University, Silver Contributor (73)

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"Prevent Turkey Turning East"

No, Turkey should turn both west and east. If Turkey is to be a bridge between Iran/Persian Gulf and Europe it needs to be anchored to both sides. I hope this is possible, certainly possible with proper EU/USA policies.
Tags: | Turkey EU |
 
Member deleted

November 20, 2009

Member deleted

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On the energy security front, if huge oil and gas reserves in Sudan are proven and developed, to a certain extent, they can be shipped to EU through Egypt (an African nation), Mediterranean Sea and Turkey (an Asian nation with an European part).

And Turkey would benefit most from serving as a reliable and trustworthy energy transport corridor from both Mideast-Central Asia and Africa, in cooperation with Russia and China.

If Turkey is to serve as a gateway for inversion eastward or, on the other hand, inversion westward, things would become vastly complicated.

That is probably one of the reasons that some leaders in EU would like to draw a boundary of Europe while going eastward means moving toward the east part of EU, as is.

 
Julia Follick

November 20, 2009

Julia Follick, Georgetown University, Gold Contributor (129)

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Mr. Dahhan,

You make a really good point about the need for increased public diplomacy within the EU. Whereas negative public opinion towards Turkey has thus far acted as a brake on constructive collaboration and progress towards eventual EU membership for Turkey, positive public opinion could do more to speed this process than any number of governmental initiatives. A concerted effort towards increased understanding and acceptance of Turkey would also improve the situation of Turkish migrants and minorities in Europe, a development that is long past due. Purposeful, targeted public diplomacy is not something European governments are accustomed to doing, but the second vote in Ireland shows that they are capable of it, and how effective it can be. I hope we see more of this in the future.
Tags: | public diplomacy | Turkey | EU |
 
Laura Kline

November 22, 2009

Laura Kline, NYU MSGA, Bronze Contributor (17)

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I agree with Mr. Dahhan that if European Union leaders intend to re-engage Turkey with respect to its entry into the EU, they must also make an effort to win the support of the European public. To achieve this, the EU would need to execute an aggressive perception-shifting campaign. Turkey is discussed largely in the context of its differences, rather than the benefits it would offer as a strategic partner to the EU. But changing opinions would take a long-term, unified strategy.

This may be difficult to achieve given the appointment of Herman Van Rompuy as President of the EU, which has caused a flurry of media coverage in both Turkey and Europe about his perceived anti-Turkey stance. Numerous references have been made to his 2004 statement: “Turkey is not a part of Europe and will never be part of Europe.” Several media also have noted his belief that acceptance of Turkey would be discordant with the EU’s “Christian values.”

Indeed, if the EU wishes to shift naysayers on Turkey’s accession, it faces an uphill battle. Mr. Van Rompuy’s appointment will serve to cement negative perceptions. Therefore any such campaign will need to start with a change of rhetoric from the office of the President.
 
Member deleted

November 27, 2009

Member deleted

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I think the concerns regarding that Turkey is moving away from the EU are basically unfounded. The Turkish historical & official decision to westernize has been over 2 centuries old and there has been no periods of serious regression and it can be said that the present day Turkey is ever more determined to have mutually beneficial and equal relations with the west in reciprocity...

It only seems that the Western people are confused, have mixed feelings among themselves and are in a political dismay. It was obvious that the Turkish people would eventually get sick & tired of trying to negotiate with who may be justifiedly called "27 dancing cats".

Of course this is a perfectly normal outcome to wait for this bunch to settle down their emotional attitudes towards the Turkish people. Neverthelessly it is also a perfectly normal outcome that the Turkish people to take interest in various opportunities flowing by and potentially available in the region for development.

Even after a case of full membership wth the EU, in my opinion it would be a very unreasoble approach to try to think of curbing Turkey's political and economical relationhips in her geographical region meanwhile other EU members are enjoying such freedom. In my personal opinion that is sheer double standard & non-sensical.

I personally think that our Western friends are too used to think in terms of double standards. If they can bring themselves to the world of realities of international relations & economics they will easily & clearly be able to realize that all is normal.

As a political turnusol paper test they should ask themselves this question: "Is it that we invited Turkey to unconditional full membership to EU and were rejected?" When they find their realistic answer to this question they will be awakened also to the fact that there is no shift in the direction of the Turkish foreign policies regarding the EU, etc.

Regards,

Mustafa
Tags: | Turkey-West relations |
 
Unregistered User

February 19, 2012

Caroline

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How and why did you didcee to play for Puerto Rico when you first played pro? Also, how did you didceed on which agency to use?
Tags: | how did you didceed on which agency to use? | How and why did you didcee to play for Puerto Rico when you first played pro? Also |
 

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