Russians and Turks have lived side by side for centuries. As nations, states or peoples, they have been interacting since long before many modern nation-states were even established in Europe. Both nations were filling the pages of history in peace or conflict long before the Americas were discovered, colonized and divided into contemporary nation-states. So, after the collapse of the Soviet Union and the emergence of independent states in Central Asia, if these two old neighbors were not to seek dialogue and cooperation, who would?
Geographical proximity and an ethno-cultural background provide a resource for both countries to forge closer ties with the Central Asian republics. Both Turkey and Russia share substantial ethnic, linguistic and cultural ties with Central Asia. The populations of Central Asian countries are mostly Sunni Muslims, like those of Turkey. The ancestors, heroes and literary and scientific luminaries are the same in all Turkic countries. Turks share their culture and aspirations through massive educational exchanges and investments in Turkic nations formerly in the Soviet Union. People in the region listen to Turkish music and watch Turkish TV stations, and Turkey draws many artists, musicians, qualified workers and tourists from Russia as well as Central Asia.
Turkey's relationship with the region was exaggerated in the late 1990s. It was fallaciously introduced as the "elder brother," an obvious role model for the newly independent republics. This was supposed to promote democracy, to make them follow the laicist model of national development and eschew pan-Turkic ideas. However, the Central Asians no more wanted a Turkish elder brother than a Russian one. So Russia and Turkey met with similar reactions to their cultural and political impositions.
Economy-wise, besides the oil and gas industry, Turkish companies benefit from major investments in Russia and Central Asian countries, such as the construction of airports and pipelines and operating hotels and supermarkets. Russia's economy is now reeling from the sharp fall in oil prices, and its stock market is down 75 percent since last summer as the world economy collapses into recession. This accentuates the need to re-evaluate existing trade and commerce between Turkey and Russia. Both need to export Russian and Central Asian gas and oil via Turkey to other countries. From ordinary citizens to regional experts and political authorities, all want dialogue and cooperation between the two countries in order to improve prosperity, peace and stability in the region.
Politically, this rapprochement may improve the situation in the conflict-ridden zones in the Caucasus. It may further contribute to normalizing diplomatic relations between Turkey and Armenia, Georgia and Russia, and especially to a Nagorno-Karabakh settlement between Azerbaijan and Armenia. Also, as Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin noted, it may help Russia to "develop economic ties with Turkish Cypriots" and to contribute by "acting exclusively as a mediator and guarantor of future accords." Russia is no longer viewing Turkey as a subcontractor of policies Russia disapproves of. The Caucasus are no longer a source of discord. Russia also wishes to increase its investments in the countries whose economies could be reinforced by expanded trade with Turkey. The short-term fluctuations in Russian-Turkish relations arise from issues such as commercial land transit, customs regulations and the use of the passageway of the Turkish Straits. Along with curbing human and narcotics trafficking, these were undoubtedly on the agenda.
Peaceful ties, based also on shared security considerations, will not shift Turkey's foreign policy inside or outside the region, nor will they have a negative impact on Turkish-European Union relations. A main purpose of Turkey's foreign policy is to ease tension in the region, which will certainly improve Turkish-Russian as well as their global relations. Both countries seem determined to avoid any scenario that could escalate into major political conflict or military confrontation in the region, especially given Iran's troubled relations with the United States and Israel. Turkey holds that the atmosphere of mistrust needs to be eliminated and all sides must exercise self-restraint in this volatile region.
This rapprochement between Turkey and Russia is to consolidate a long period of peace and stability and to address their current economic problems. Continuing tensions and conflicts and their possible escalation will surely not serve their long-term national interests. The Turkish president's visit should be interpreted as expanding relations in the political, economic and cultural fields rather than as a minor political gesture or a shift in Turkish foreign policy. This rapprochement does not threaten Turkey's ties with the United States, Europe, other countries in the region or Turkey's NATO membership. Turkey still functions as a bridge between continents and cultures, not as a barrier to the common good.
