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Journal of Turkish Weekly, Turkey
Jan 12 2005
Erdogan's Moscow Visit: Turkey's Return to Russia
EU's decision to start membership talks with Turkey is not enough for
Turkey. After the December 17 Summit, Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip
Erdogan and his ministers visited first Syria, Israel and Palestine.
Turkey increased its role in the Middle East. Then Ankara moved on
its northern Black Sea neigbour Russian Federation. Turkish experts
say Turkey aims to be a European, Middle Eastern and Black Sean power
instead of a 'small European power". Dr. Sedat Laciner from
International Strategic Research Organization, Ankara-based think
tank, says "All these efforts could be seen as Turkey's return to the
region. Developments in Turkey EU relations boost Turkey's
credibility in the region". According to Laciner "Russia is one of
the important steps in Turkey's return to Middle east, Balkans,
caucasus and the Black Sea". "The latest step will be Central Asia
and the Turkic world" added Dr. Laciner.
Turkey and Russia Celebrate Boom in Economic Relations
Trade between Russia and Turkey could more than double to $25 billion
by 2007 from $10 billion in 2004, Russian President Vladimir Putin
said after talks with Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan on
Tuesday.
"I agree with the forecast that bilateral trade volume could reach
$15 billion in 2005 and $25 billion in 2007. I think we can achieve
this," Putin told a Moscow gathering with Erdogan and accompanying
Turkish businessmen, attended by reporters.
Putin said talks would focus on improving cooperation in energy,
transport, social welfare, and arms.
Erdogan, accompanied by a swarm of 600 businessmen, was paying a
return visit to Moscow after Putin in December became the first
Moscow leader to appear to great fanfare in Turkey in 32 years. "Our
most optimistic forecasts about economic cooperation have come true,"
Putin told Erdogan as the two sat around a small table with their
translators in the Kremlin's gilded oval reception hall.
"There should be opportunities to widen our military-technological
cooperation internationally and in the region," Erdogan said.
Russia is Turkey's second-largest foreign trade partner, with
bilateral trade now standing at $10 billion. Compared with the first
half of 2003, bilateral trade rose by 60 percent in the first half of
2004, reaching $4.6 billion. Turkish companies are active in Russia's
booming construction, retail and brewing industries. Turkey's
southern coasts (especially Antalya) are a favorite among Russians,
whose visits have fostered familiarity between the traditional foes.
Thousands of Russians prefer to live in Turkish cities.
Erdogan Opened Turkish Center in Moscow
Some 600 Turkish business executives accompanied him to Moscow,
Turkish PM Tayyip Erdogan also opened Turkish business center in
Moscow.
Putin: Isolation of Turkish Cypriots is not Fair
A surprising support came from Russian leader Vladimir Putin on
Cyprus Issue. ''We do not think that the economic isolation of
northern Cypriots is fair,'' Putin told visiting Turkish Prime
Minister Tayyip Erdogan at a gathering in Moscow attended by
reporters.
Putin declared that Russian federation would support a UN settlement
in Cyprus. `Cyprus was a sensitive issue and therefore must be
treated carefully' added Putin. Putin and Erdogan answered questions
of the press in President Hotel.
''With regard to our future position, we will support the plan of
U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan to find a solution to the Cyprus
dispute,'' Putin said in reply to a question.
''We will support any resolution that comes out of the implementation
of UN Secretary General Kofi Annan's plan.''
Turkish PM Erdogan expressed Turkey's vivid support for UN Peace Plan
in Moscow and said Russian contribution in Cyprus issue will be
valuable:
"We support the plan of UN Secretary General Annan about Cyprus. We
talked with Putin a while ago. We are supporting his plan about
Cyprus. This includes continuing economic relations and removing the
isolation.
A TRNC (Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus) business delegation came
to Moscow with Turkish PM Erdogan. Salih Tunar, the President of the
Industry Association of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, was
among the delegation. Tunar said "As Turkish Cypriots and Turkey, it
may be effective to tell that we want a solution."
Commenting on Russia's choice in the voting on the UN Security
Council resolution ahead of the referendum on Cyprus, Putin remarked
that Russia voted "against" and had in advance informed the Turkish
side of it.
"We did this deliberately not to block decision-making, but to
preclude any outside influence on the referendum's results," the head
of state explained.
When Turkish journalists asked him how Russia would vote in the UN
Security Council on this issue in the future, the Russian president
answered that it would depend on the kind of document to be submitted
for the vote.
At the referendum of April 24 last year, more than three quarters of
the 88% of Greek Cypriots who took part in the referendum voted down
the plan for reunification advanced by the UN and supported by
leading Western countries. Among the Northern Turks, 64.9% voted for
it, with the 87% turnout.
Cyprus was divided after an illegal Greek military coup attempt in
1974. Turkish Cypriots with the help of Turkey's military support
established Turkish side on the Northern Cyprus. Now there are two
state on the island: Greek and Turkish Cyprus. However the Greek
Cyprus claims sovereignty on whole of the island. The EU, with
Southern Greek Cyprus and Greece's great efforts, imposes a
political, cultural, social and economic embargo on Turkish Republic
of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). TRNC is now the only European country
under such an embargo which is worse than the embargo imposed on
Saddam Husein's Iraq. The TRNC has no army and has to rely on
Turkey's assistance while the Greek side has a strong army with
long-range missiles.
Putin: Russia Favors Turkey's EU Membership
During Putin's trip to Turkey, a first in modern Russia's history, a
bilateral conversation built the foundations of a "multi dimensional
partnership" for military, strategic and economic cooperation.
However Putin had doubts about Turkey-EU relations: During his Ankara
visit, Russian President Vladimir Putin told PM Erdogan that "If you
enter EU we can not meet frequently." In response, Erdogan told him
that "To the contrary, we shall intensify our relations." After the
EU accepted Turkey's bid for membership talks, just ten days after
Putin's visit, Russian papers ran the headline, "Bye-Bye Turkey".
Contrary to Russian reports that "Turkey gives up its partnership
with us," Erdogan came Moscow with a message stating that this fear
is unnecessary. Erdogan told the Russian political elite, businessmen
and Russian citizens that Turkey is "a good friend". The idea that
Turkey's accession to the EU will not harm its relations with Moscow
is also strong in Russia.
Similarly Russian Leader Putin said Russia was in favor of Turkey's
EU membership, as it promised to open up new trading opportunities
for Russia. Turkey's integration into the EU is expected to open up
fresh opportunities for Russian-Turkish business cooperation, said
Vladimir Putin.
Speaking on Tuesday in Moscow at a meeting with Turkish businessmen,
the Russian president Putin recalled that Russia was also developing
strategic partnership with the EU. ''We welcome Turkey's success at
the EU Brussels summit,'' Putin said. ''I hope that Turkey's
integration in the European Union will open up a new horizon for
Russian-Turkish business cooperation.''
Ankara Seeks Russian Co-operation in Armenian Issue
Turkish PM Erdogan in his Moscow visit sought Russian support in
solving Armenian problem. Erdogan said `Armenia must take step in
Karabakh issue. When Armenians do something in Karabakh Turkey will
find opportunity to consider opening the territorial border gates'.
Answering a question posed by the Turkish media, the Russian
President announced that during the meeting the sides did not discuss
the Karabakh problem. "We touched upon general issues of relations
between countries in the region - Russia and Armenia, Armenia and
Turkey," Mr. Putin said.
Both sides, he stated, expressed the desire to establish friendly
relations among neighbors.
"Russia will do everything possible to settle the conflicts remaining
on the post-Soviet space, including the long-lasting Karabakh
conflict," Mr. Putin announced. "However, we will do it only as an
intermediary and guarantor of agreements which are going to be
reached by conflicting sides."
Tayyip Erdogan Government is one of the most enthusiastic Turkish
governments in Republican history in developing good relations with
Armenia.
Armenian forces have occupied about 20 per cent of Azerbaijani
territories, and Constitution of Armenian Republice does not
recognise Turkey's national borders.
Jan 12 2005
Erdogan's Moscow Visit: Turkey's Return to Russia
EU's decision to start membership talks with Turkey is not enough for
Turkey. After the December 17 Summit, Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip
Erdogan and his ministers visited first Syria, Israel and Palestine.
Turkey increased its role in the Middle East. Then Ankara moved on
its northern Black Sea neigbour Russian Federation. Turkish experts
say Turkey aims to be a European, Middle Eastern and Black Sean power
instead of a 'small European power". Dr. Sedat Laciner from
International Strategic Research Organization, Ankara-based think
tank, says "All these efforts could be seen as Turkey's return to the
region. Developments in Turkey EU relations boost Turkey's
credibility in the region". According to Laciner "Russia is one of
the important steps in Turkey's return to Middle east, Balkans,
caucasus and the Black Sea". "The latest step will be Central Asia
and the Turkic world" added Dr. Laciner.
Turkey and Russia Celebrate Boom in Economic Relations
Trade between Russia and Turkey could more than double to $25 billion
by 2007 from $10 billion in 2004, Russian President Vladimir Putin
said after talks with Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan on
Tuesday.
"I agree with the forecast that bilateral trade volume could reach
$15 billion in 2005 and $25 billion in 2007. I think we can achieve
this," Putin told a Moscow gathering with Erdogan and accompanying
Turkish businessmen, attended by reporters.
Putin said talks would focus on improving cooperation in energy,
transport, social welfare, and arms.
Erdogan, accompanied by a swarm of 600 businessmen, was paying a
return visit to Moscow after Putin in December became the first
Moscow leader to appear to great fanfare in Turkey in 32 years. "Our
most optimistic forecasts about economic cooperation have come true,"
Putin told Erdogan as the two sat around a small table with their
translators in the Kremlin's gilded oval reception hall.
"There should be opportunities to widen our military-technological
cooperation internationally and in the region," Erdogan said.
Russia is Turkey's second-largest foreign trade partner, with
bilateral trade now standing at $10 billion. Compared with the first
half of 2003, bilateral trade rose by 60 percent in the first half of
2004, reaching $4.6 billion. Turkish companies are active in Russia's
booming construction, retail and brewing industries. Turkey's
southern coasts (especially Antalya) are a favorite among Russians,
whose visits have fostered familiarity between the traditional foes.
Thousands of Russians prefer to live in Turkish cities.
Erdogan Opened Turkish Center in Moscow
Some 600 Turkish business executives accompanied him to Moscow,
Turkish PM Tayyip Erdogan also opened Turkish business center in
Moscow.
Putin: Isolation of Turkish Cypriots is not Fair
A surprising support came from Russian leader Vladimir Putin on
Cyprus Issue. ''We do not think that the economic isolation of
northern Cypriots is fair,'' Putin told visiting Turkish Prime
Minister Tayyip Erdogan at a gathering in Moscow attended by
reporters.
Putin declared that Russian federation would support a UN settlement
in Cyprus. `Cyprus was a sensitive issue and therefore must be
treated carefully' added Putin. Putin and Erdogan answered questions
of the press in President Hotel.
''With regard to our future position, we will support the plan of
U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan to find a solution to the Cyprus
dispute,'' Putin said in reply to a question.
''We will support any resolution that comes out of the implementation
of UN Secretary General Kofi Annan's plan.''
Turkish PM Erdogan expressed Turkey's vivid support for UN Peace Plan
in Moscow and said Russian contribution in Cyprus issue will be
valuable:
"We support the plan of UN Secretary General Annan about Cyprus. We
talked with Putin a while ago. We are supporting his plan about
Cyprus. This includes continuing economic relations and removing the
isolation.
A TRNC (Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus) business delegation came
to Moscow with Turkish PM Erdogan. Salih Tunar, the President of the
Industry Association of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, was
among the delegation. Tunar said "As Turkish Cypriots and Turkey, it
may be effective to tell that we want a solution."
Commenting on Russia's choice in the voting on the UN Security
Council resolution ahead of the referendum on Cyprus, Putin remarked
that Russia voted "against" and had in advance informed the Turkish
side of it.
"We did this deliberately not to block decision-making, but to
preclude any outside influence on the referendum's results," the head
of state explained.
When Turkish journalists asked him how Russia would vote in the UN
Security Council on this issue in the future, the Russian president
answered that it would depend on the kind of document to be submitted
for the vote.
At the referendum of April 24 last year, more than three quarters of
the 88% of Greek Cypriots who took part in the referendum voted down
the plan for reunification advanced by the UN and supported by
leading Western countries. Among the Northern Turks, 64.9% voted for
it, with the 87% turnout.
Cyprus was divided after an illegal Greek military coup attempt in
1974. Turkish Cypriots with the help of Turkey's military support
established Turkish side on the Northern Cyprus. Now there are two
state on the island: Greek and Turkish Cyprus. However the Greek
Cyprus claims sovereignty on whole of the island. The EU, with
Southern Greek Cyprus and Greece's great efforts, imposes a
political, cultural, social and economic embargo on Turkish Republic
of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). TRNC is now the only European country
under such an embargo which is worse than the embargo imposed on
Saddam Husein's Iraq. The TRNC has no army and has to rely on
Turkey's assistance while the Greek side has a strong army with
long-range missiles.
Putin: Russia Favors Turkey's EU Membership
During Putin's trip to Turkey, a first in modern Russia's history, a
bilateral conversation built the foundations of a "multi dimensional
partnership" for military, strategic and economic cooperation.
However Putin had doubts about Turkey-EU relations: During his Ankara
visit, Russian President Vladimir Putin told PM Erdogan that "If you
enter EU we can not meet frequently." In response, Erdogan told him
that "To the contrary, we shall intensify our relations." After the
EU accepted Turkey's bid for membership talks, just ten days after
Putin's visit, Russian papers ran the headline, "Bye-Bye Turkey".
Contrary to Russian reports that "Turkey gives up its partnership
with us," Erdogan came Moscow with a message stating that this fear
is unnecessary. Erdogan told the Russian political elite, businessmen
and Russian citizens that Turkey is "a good friend". The idea that
Turkey's accession to the EU will not harm its relations with Moscow
is also strong in Russia.
Similarly Russian Leader Putin said Russia was in favor of Turkey's
EU membership, as it promised to open up new trading opportunities
for Russia. Turkey's integration into the EU is expected to open up
fresh opportunities for Russian-Turkish business cooperation, said
Vladimir Putin.
Speaking on Tuesday in Moscow at a meeting with Turkish businessmen,
the Russian president Putin recalled that Russia was also developing
strategic partnership with the EU. ''We welcome Turkey's success at
the EU Brussels summit,'' Putin said. ''I hope that Turkey's
integration in the European Union will open up a new horizon for
Russian-Turkish business cooperation.''
Ankara Seeks Russian Co-operation in Armenian Issue
Turkish PM Erdogan in his Moscow visit sought Russian support in
solving Armenian problem. Erdogan said `Armenia must take step in
Karabakh issue. When Armenians do something in Karabakh Turkey will
find opportunity to consider opening the territorial border gates'.
Answering a question posed by the Turkish media, the Russian
President announced that during the meeting the sides did not discuss
the Karabakh problem. "We touched upon general issues of relations
between countries in the region - Russia and Armenia, Armenia and
Turkey," Mr. Putin said.
Both sides, he stated, expressed the desire to establish friendly
relations among neighbors.
"Russia will do everything possible to settle the conflicts remaining
on the post-Soviet space, including the long-lasting Karabakh
conflict," Mr. Putin announced. "However, we will do it only as an
intermediary and guarantor of agreements which are going to be
reached by conflicting sides."
Tayyip Erdogan Government is one of the most enthusiastic Turkish
governments in Republican history in developing good relations with
Armenia.
Armenian forces have occupied about 20 per cent of Azerbaijani
territories, and Constitution of Armenian Republice does not
recognise Turkey's national borders.