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NEW STEPS FOR 'ZERO PROBLEMS'
Milliyet (in Turkish), Turkey
Nov 23 2013
by Sami Kohen
The concept of "zero problems with the neighbors" that Foreign Minister
Ahmet Davutoglu introduced to Turkish diplomacy was developing
well until two or three years ago. Truly, disagreements were being
eliminated and relations improved with the countries neighboring
Turkey.
A virtual honeymoon period was taking place with Syria, close ties
were being established with Iraq, and cooperation was being developed
with Iran. Relations were also going well with the Arab countries,
led by Egypt, and with Israel as well. An air of friendship was coming
about with Greece, despite disagreements on the Aegean and Cyprus.
Finally, agreements were also being signed for the establishment of
normal relations with Armenia...
In recent times, however, things began to go awry, and this policy
began to be unsuccessful. From Syria to Iraq, from Iran to Egypt,
and from Israel to Armenia, ties with various countries of the region
either were damaged or broke off; in the end, the "zero problems"
concept was dealt some severe blows.
Mistakes and a Readjustment
The new conditions created in the region by the Arab Spring, and
different behavior by various countries, no doubt played a role in
this policy's turning out to be unsuccessful. But the mistakes of
the government also played a major role in this...
We can summarize as follows the main reasons for the failures and
difficulties that were encountered in this policy: The use of very
harsh and inappropriate language toward these countries and their
leaders, the adoption of an interventionist stance, openly taking
sides, and acting with ideological tendencies and reflexes...
In the end, this style and approach not only made relations with a
good many neighboring countries "problematic," but they also pushed
Turkey into "isolation" in the international community, and even into
friction with friends and allies.
Indeed, government officials, including the Foreign Minister, must
have realized this, since they have felt the need recently to subject
the foreign policy to a "revision" and to make various "adjustments"
in accord with the new situation.
Now, with a new approach, various steps are being taken in order to
return once again to the policy of "zero problems with the neighbors."
The new stance with regard to Iraq is a clear indication of this.
Ankara has changed the interventionist, partisan, and emotional
policy that it pursued for two years toward the regime in Iraq, and
has extended an olive branch to the [Prime Minister Nuri] Al-Maliki
administration. Thanks to this, the Turkish-Iraqi relationship is
now moving toward normalization.
In the meantime, Turkey is also advancing its relationship with
its direct neighbor on the border, Iraqi Kurdistan. These are two
phenomena that are developing in parallel in the direction of "zero
problems." But in order for this to continue, it is essential to
manage the ties with both sides in a balanced and careful way.
Not So Easy
Relations with Iran as well, and particularly following the leadership
change in Tehran, are gradually improving - even if the problems have
not been "zeroed out."
A softening is also being seen in Ankara's policy toward Egypt. Even
if officials do not like it, they have given up constantly courting
the ire of the military administration in Cairo...
There are new opportunities for the normalization of the relationship
with Armenia. But clearly, as long as it remains dependent on the
resolution of the Mountainous Qarabagh [Artsakh] issue, the realization
of this will be difficult...
As for Syria, it is unclear how the situation is going to develop. As
long as [President Bashar] Al-Asad does not depart, repairing relations
with Damascus is impossible. And until it is clear who is going to
dominate in the border region in the end, putting relations with this
neighbor onto a "zero problems" basis is but a fantasy...
[Translated from Turkish]
From: A. Papazian
Milliyet (in Turkish), Turkey
Nov 23 2013
by Sami Kohen
The concept of "zero problems with the neighbors" that Foreign Minister
Ahmet Davutoglu introduced to Turkish diplomacy was developing
well until two or three years ago. Truly, disagreements were being
eliminated and relations improved with the countries neighboring
Turkey.
A virtual honeymoon period was taking place with Syria, close ties
were being established with Iraq, and cooperation was being developed
with Iran. Relations were also going well with the Arab countries,
led by Egypt, and with Israel as well. An air of friendship was coming
about with Greece, despite disagreements on the Aegean and Cyprus.
Finally, agreements were also being signed for the establishment of
normal relations with Armenia...
In recent times, however, things began to go awry, and this policy
began to be unsuccessful. From Syria to Iraq, from Iran to Egypt,
and from Israel to Armenia, ties with various countries of the region
either were damaged or broke off; in the end, the "zero problems"
concept was dealt some severe blows.
Mistakes and a Readjustment
The new conditions created in the region by the Arab Spring, and
different behavior by various countries, no doubt played a role in
this policy's turning out to be unsuccessful. But the mistakes of
the government also played a major role in this...
We can summarize as follows the main reasons for the failures and
difficulties that were encountered in this policy: The use of very
harsh and inappropriate language toward these countries and their
leaders, the adoption of an interventionist stance, openly taking
sides, and acting with ideological tendencies and reflexes...
In the end, this style and approach not only made relations with a
good many neighboring countries "problematic," but they also pushed
Turkey into "isolation" in the international community, and even into
friction with friends and allies.
Indeed, government officials, including the Foreign Minister, must
have realized this, since they have felt the need recently to subject
the foreign policy to a "revision" and to make various "adjustments"
in accord with the new situation.
Now, with a new approach, various steps are being taken in order to
return once again to the policy of "zero problems with the neighbors."
The new stance with regard to Iraq is a clear indication of this.
Ankara has changed the interventionist, partisan, and emotional
policy that it pursued for two years toward the regime in Iraq, and
has extended an olive branch to the [Prime Minister Nuri] Al-Maliki
administration. Thanks to this, the Turkish-Iraqi relationship is
now moving toward normalization.
In the meantime, Turkey is also advancing its relationship with
its direct neighbor on the border, Iraqi Kurdistan. These are two
phenomena that are developing in parallel in the direction of "zero
problems." But in order for this to continue, it is essential to
manage the ties with both sides in a balanced and careful way.
Not So Easy
Relations with Iran as well, and particularly following the leadership
change in Tehran, are gradually improving - even if the problems have
not been "zeroed out."
A softening is also being seen in Ankara's policy toward Egypt. Even
if officials do not like it, they have given up constantly courting
the ire of the military administration in Cairo...
There are new opportunities for the normalization of the relationship
with Armenia. But clearly, as long as it remains dependent on the
resolution of the Mountainous Qarabagh [Artsakh] issue, the realization
of this will be difficult...
As for Syria, it is unclear how the situation is going to develop. As
long as [President Bashar] Al-Asad does not depart, repairing relations
with Damascus is impossible. And until it is clear who is going to
dominate in the border region in the end, putting relations with this
neighbor onto a "zero problems" basis is but a fantasy...
[Translated from Turkish]
From: A. Papazian