Tweet
Euractiv, Belgium
Jan 17 2005
Turkey-Russia relations
In Short:
Given their dynamically growing economic co-operation, the leaders of
Turkey and Russia are now working for closer political dialogue to
match.
Background:
For centuries, Turkey and Russia have been rivals for regional
supremacy. Recently, the two countries have realised that friendly
relations are in the interest of them both. Accordingly, co-operation
rather than rivalry appears to dominate their ties. This development
has been welcome by the EU, which sees these countries as the two
largest imponderables on the European horizon.
The general understanding is that Russia is a European country while
Turkey belongs to Asia, despite the fact that the two vast countries
both span the continents of Europe and Asia (although they no longer
share a border). The reason for the above distinction is that in both
countries the majority of the population as well as the capital city
are located on the continent where they are respectively assigned.
Issues:
In December 2004, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan paid a
visit to Moscow before Russian President Vladimir Putin reciprocated
with a trip to Ankara in January 2005. This sequence of top-level
visits has brought several important bilateral issues to the
forefront.
Trade
In 2004, trade between Turkey and Russia was worth some $10 billion.
This figure is now expected by both Moscow and Ankara to reach $25
billion by 2007. Russia is Turkey's second-largest trading partner
after Germany, while Turkey is Russia's 14th trade partner. Russia
exports to Turkey fuel and energy products (72% of total), as well as
metals (16%) and chemical goods (4%). Turkey, in turn, sells textiles
(30%), machinery and vehicles (23%), chemical goods (15%) and food
products (15%) to Russia.
Turkish companies are present in significant numbers in Russia's
construction, retail and brewing industries. Russia's investment in
Turkey is worth $350 million while Turkey's investment in Russia
totals $1.5 billion.
The two countries consider it their strategic goal to achieve
"multidimensional co-operation", especially in the fields of energy,
transport and the military. Specifically, Russia aims to invest in
Turkey's fuel and energy industries, and it also expects to
participate in tenders for the modernisation of Turkey's military.
In the strategic energy sector, the two countries are in agreement to
implement large-scale projects, some of which compare with the Blue
Stream gas pipeline. Among other developments, Russia will increase
gas supplies to Turkey and will allow Russian companies to engage in
gas distribution in Turkish territory. Talks are also underway on
ways to increase Russian electricity deliveries to Turkey.
European Union
Moscow's initial reaction to Turkey drawing closer to the EU was
lukewarm. "If you enter the EU we cannot meet frequently," Putin was
reported as telling his host, Prime Minister Erdogan, during the
former's visit to Ankara in late 2004. However, at the two leaders'
next meeting in Moscow in January 2005, Putin already said that
Russia was in favour of Turkey's EU membership, primarily since it
promised to open up new trading channels for Russia. ''We welcome
Turkey's success at the EU Brussels summit,'' Putin said in Moscow.
''I hope that Turkey's integration in the European Union will open up
a new horizon for Russian-Turkish business cooperation.''
Cyprus
Regarding the outstanding issue of Cyprus (which is tied closely to
Turkey's EU membership bid), Russia has declared support for the plan
put forward by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan. ''We will support any
resolution that comes out of the implementation of UN Secretary
General Kofi Annan's plan," said Putin. He added that the economic
embargo on northern Cyprus was "unjust". In April 2004, Russia used
its veto to block a resolution that sought to outline new UN security
arrangements in Cyprus.
World Trade Organisation
In return, Turkey's Erdogan has pledged to "fully support" Russia's
quest for membership of the World Trade Organisation. "Many barriers
in the way of trade and economic co-operation between our countries
may undoubtedly be removed after completion of Russian-Turkish
negotiations on Russia's WTO entry on acceptable terms," reacted
Putin. The EU concluded a deal with Russia on the latter's accession
to the WTO in May 2004. Russia may become a full member of the WTO in
2005.
Chechnya / the Kurd issue
The conflict in Chechnya remains high on the two countries' bilateral
agendas. Several Turks trace their ancestry to the Caucasus,
including Chechnya, and they have always been sympathetic towards the
Muslim militants in the war-torn Russian region. Earlier, Russia
issued calls for Turkey to crack down on Turkish `philanthropic
organisations' that allegedly channelled money and arms to rebel
groups in Chechnya. In turn, Turkey accused Russia of backing Kurdish
rebel groups who have been fighting for autonomy in Turkey's
southeastern regions since the early 1980s. The recent rapprochement
promises to bring both countries closer to negotiated solutions.
Caucasus
The Caucasus remains a moot point between the two countries. Turkey's
main ally in the Caucasus region is Azerbaijan, whereas Russia's ally
is its rival, Armenia, which continues to insist that Turkey
committed 'genocide' against its people during World War One. ''We
are all aware about the historical problems between Azerbaijan and
Armenia. Russia will contribute to the peace process," Putin said.
"We do not want negative relations with any of our neighbours,
including Armenia," Erdogan responded.
Jan 17 2005
Turkey-Russia relations
In Short:
Given their dynamically growing economic co-operation, the leaders of
Turkey and Russia are now working for closer political dialogue to
match.
Background:
For centuries, Turkey and Russia have been rivals for regional
supremacy. Recently, the two countries have realised that friendly
relations are in the interest of them both. Accordingly, co-operation
rather than rivalry appears to dominate their ties. This development
has been welcome by the EU, which sees these countries as the two
largest imponderables on the European horizon.
The general understanding is that Russia is a European country while
Turkey belongs to Asia, despite the fact that the two vast countries
both span the continents of Europe and Asia (although they no longer
share a border). The reason for the above distinction is that in both
countries the majority of the population as well as the capital city
are located on the continent where they are respectively assigned.
Issues:
In December 2004, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan paid a
visit to Moscow before Russian President Vladimir Putin reciprocated
with a trip to Ankara in January 2005. This sequence of top-level
visits has brought several important bilateral issues to the
forefront.
Trade
In 2004, trade between Turkey and Russia was worth some $10 billion.
This figure is now expected by both Moscow and Ankara to reach $25
billion by 2007. Russia is Turkey's second-largest trading partner
after Germany, while Turkey is Russia's 14th trade partner. Russia
exports to Turkey fuel and energy products (72% of total), as well as
metals (16%) and chemical goods (4%). Turkey, in turn, sells textiles
(30%), machinery and vehicles (23%), chemical goods (15%) and food
products (15%) to Russia.
Turkish companies are present in significant numbers in Russia's
construction, retail and brewing industries. Russia's investment in
Turkey is worth $350 million while Turkey's investment in Russia
totals $1.5 billion.
The two countries consider it their strategic goal to achieve
"multidimensional co-operation", especially in the fields of energy,
transport and the military. Specifically, Russia aims to invest in
Turkey's fuel and energy industries, and it also expects to
participate in tenders for the modernisation of Turkey's military.
In the strategic energy sector, the two countries are in agreement to
implement large-scale projects, some of which compare with the Blue
Stream gas pipeline. Among other developments, Russia will increase
gas supplies to Turkey and will allow Russian companies to engage in
gas distribution in Turkish territory. Talks are also underway on
ways to increase Russian electricity deliveries to Turkey.
European Union
Moscow's initial reaction to Turkey drawing closer to the EU was
lukewarm. "If you enter the EU we cannot meet frequently," Putin was
reported as telling his host, Prime Minister Erdogan, during the
former's visit to Ankara in late 2004. However, at the two leaders'
next meeting in Moscow in January 2005, Putin already said that
Russia was in favour of Turkey's EU membership, primarily since it
promised to open up new trading channels for Russia. ''We welcome
Turkey's success at the EU Brussels summit,'' Putin said in Moscow.
''I hope that Turkey's integration in the European Union will open up
a new horizon for Russian-Turkish business cooperation.''
Cyprus
Regarding the outstanding issue of Cyprus (which is tied closely to
Turkey's EU membership bid), Russia has declared support for the plan
put forward by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan. ''We will support any
resolution that comes out of the implementation of UN Secretary
General Kofi Annan's plan," said Putin. He added that the economic
embargo on northern Cyprus was "unjust". In April 2004, Russia used
its veto to block a resolution that sought to outline new UN security
arrangements in Cyprus.
World Trade Organisation
In return, Turkey's Erdogan has pledged to "fully support" Russia's
quest for membership of the World Trade Organisation. "Many barriers
in the way of trade and economic co-operation between our countries
may undoubtedly be removed after completion of Russian-Turkish
negotiations on Russia's WTO entry on acceptable terms," reacted
Putin. The EU concluded a deal with Russia on the latter's accession
to the WTO in May 2004. Russia may become a full member of the WTO in
2005.
Chechnya / the Kurd issue
The conflict in Chechnya remains high on the two countries' bilateral
agendas. Several Turks trace their ancestry to the Caucasus,
including Chechnya, and they have always been sympathetic towards the
Muslim militants in the war-torn Russian region. Earlier, Russia
issued calls for Turkey to crack down on Turkish `philanthropic
organisations' that allegedly channelled money and arms to rebel
groups in Chechnya. In turn, Turkey accused Russia of backing Kurdish
rebel groups who have been fighting for autonomy in Turkey's
southeastern regions since the early 1980s. The recent rapprochement
promises to bring both countries closer to negotiated solutions.
Caucasus
The Caucasus remains a moot point between the two countries. Turkey's
main ally in the Caucasus region is Azerbaijan, whereas Russia's ally
is its rival, Armenia, which continues to insist that Turkey
committed 'genocide' against its people during World War One. ''We
are all aware about the historical problems between Azerbaijan and
Armenia. Russia will contribute to the peace process," Putin said.
"We do not want negative relations with any of our neighbours,
including Armenia," Erdogan responded.