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THE MESSAGE OF ERDOGAN'S VISIT
Daily Star
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=10&categ_id=17&article_id=1 21857#axzz16QFK8HWS
Nov 26 2010
Lebanon
Turkey's Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan was feted this week in
Lebanon by the country's leaders and officials during a visit that
was heavy in symbolism, and perhaps even heavier in impact.
Although Erdogan's two-day trip was officially focused on bilateral
economic and business ties, he was naturally unable to avoid the state
of affairs in Lebanon, which has been suffering from crippling bouts
of political paralysis for much of the year.
Erdogan did pledge to help act as a fireman, stressing his country's
support for serious efforts to quell possible strife. Perhaps Erdogan
can assist in extinguishing some of Lebanon's smaller fires, but he
doesn't represent a magic solution. He repeated Ankara's well-known
goals of seeing peace, stability, prosperity and security in its
immediate vicinity, thereby emphasizing that his visit to Lebanon
was more strategic in nature.
Thankfully, Erdogan's visit was one that covered nearly all of
Lebanon's political spectrum. He met leaders from all sides, and
stayed on message, whether he was in the south, the north, or the
capital, stressing the same principles and not catering to narrow
partisan interests.
More importantly, Erdogan's visit was about the inking of significant
bilateral agreements that are the fruit of more than five years of
negotiations and preparations. A free trade agreement, other forms
of liberalization and bilateral cooperation, such as the possible
creation of a regional version of the Schengen Zone, and the continued
presence of Turkish troops in the UNIFIL force in the south: all of
these were of central importance during Erdogan's visit.
Were there protests during Erdogan's visit? Certainly, Lebanon's
Armenians had their say, and it should not be forgotten that Turkey's
recent diplomatic tiffs with Israel have upped the pressure on Ankara
to follow through, to satisfy those for whom the Israeli-Palestinian
conflict is their highest priority.
In the end, Lebanese should walk away with an abiding message from
Erdogan's visit: the value of healthy bilateral relations, when states
deal with states, on an equal footing.
There were no ulterior motives behind the visit, which focused
on matters of mutual interest. Erdogan pointed out that national
sovereignty is not something that should be linked to the size of a
given state, and that a sound economy flows from complete sovereignty,
not the other way around.
Fellow members of the international community of nations shouldn't
act in patronizing fashion toward Lebanon, despite its small size;
the visit by Erdogan ought to remind the Lebanese of the value of
establishing bilateral ties based on joint interests, mutual respect,
and a sound vision for the future.
From: A. Papazian
Daily Star
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=10&categ_id=17&article_id=1 21857#axzz16QFK8HWS
Nov 26 2010
Lebanon
Turkey's Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan was feted this week in
Lebanon by the country's leaders and officials during a visit that
was heavy in symbolism, and perhaps even heavier in impact.
Although Erdogan's two-day trip was officially focused on bilateral
economic and business ties, he was naturally unable to avoid the state
of affairs in Lebanon, which has been suffering from crippling bouts
of political paralysis for much of the year.
Erdogan did pledge to help act as a fireman, stressing his country's
support for serious efforts to quell possible strife. Perhaps Erdogan
can assist in extinguishing some of Lebanon's smaller fires, but he
doesn't represent a magic solution. He repeated Ankara's well-known
goals of seeing peace, stability, prosperity and security in its
immediate vicinity, thereby emphasizing that his visit to Lebanon
was more strategic in nature.
Thankfully, Erdogan's visit was one that covered nearly all of
Lebanon's political spectrum. He met leaders from all sides, and
stayed on message, whether he was in the south, the north, or the
capital, stressing the same principles and not catering to narrow
partisan interests.
More importantly, Erdogan's visit was about the inking of significant
bilateral agreements that are the fruit of more than five years of
negotiations and preparations. A free trade agreement, other forms
of liberalization and bilateral cooperation, such as the possible
creation of a regional version of the Schengen Zone, and the continued
presence of Turkish troops in the UNIFIL force in the south: all of
these were of central importance during Erdogan's visit.
Were there protests during Erdogan's visit? Certainly, Lebanon's
Armenians had their say, and it should not be forgotten that Turkey's
recent diplomatic tiffs with Israel have upped the pressure on Ankara
to follow through, to satisfy those for whom the Israeli-Palestinian
conflict is their highest priority.
In the end, Lebanese should walk away with an abiding message from
Erdogan's visit: the value of healthy bilateral relations, when states
deal with states, on an equal footing.
There were no ulterior motives behind the visit, which focused
on matters of mutual interest. Erdogan pointed out that national
sovereignty is not something that should be linked to the size of a
given state, and that a sound economy flows from complete sovereignty,
not the other way around.
Fellow members of the international community of nations shouldn't
act in patronizing fashion toward Lebanon, despite its small size;
the visit by Erdogan ought to remind the Lebanese of the value of
establishing bilateral ties based on joint interests, mutual respect,
and a sound vision for the future.
From: A. Papazian