‘Turkey should focus on its own problems and regional ones’

Noting that the post-Cold War era has created many opportunities for Turkey, the SP leader stressed that if these opportunities are exploited properly, a brand new civilization may emerge in this time of civilization crisis. Recalling that Turkey has the necessary historical experience, vision and motive to achieve this goal, Kurtulmuş also said: “All geopolitical and geo-cultural circumstances and geo-strategic conditions are suitable and in favor of Turkey and provide many opportunities [for the country]. Turkey is the leader in its region; if it is able to do its homework, Turkey will become a new and strong actor in world politics.”

To this end, Professor Kurtulmuş notes that they appreciate the government's recent moves; the SP leader further expressed support for the administration's policy of zero problems with neighbors. Noting that they also appreciate the determination of the government in the recent row with Israel, Kurtulmuş recalled that inclusion of Israeli forces in the drill carried out in Konya used to attract strong reactions from the public. Arguing that military exercises are held by countries allied against common enemies, Kurtulmuş asked why Turkey should conduct joint exercises with Israel considering that they have no common enemy.

Role of New Ottomanism

Kurtulmuş, who also said they welcomed recent steps to maintain close ties with the African continent, added: “Other issues that we pay attention to are the improvement of bilateral relations with all neighbors, the increase in bilateral trade volume, the introduction of measures to facilitate transit through borders and the establishment of cultural cooperation. I would like to note that we are paying the utmost attention to the opening of the border gate with Syria. Likewise, I should also note that the prime minister's views expounded during the United Nations' plenary session on Iran's nuclear capacity were fair and correct.”

    Noting that global powers responsible for the dissolution of the Ottoman state now want Turkey to assume a role of New Ottomanism, the SP leader stresses that this is unacceptable. “Developments over the last few years where the AK Party [Justice and Development Party] openly promoted plans to be a global actor and assumed the role of acting as the owner of a mission of New Ottomanism, as well as Turkey's eagerness to serve as the co-chair of the Greater Middle East Project, confirm our concerns,” he said.

Stressing that Turkey is able to serve a role model for a number of countries in its region; the SP leader says they would not accept any roles assigned by others. Noting that Turkey needs to act meticulously and responsibly considering that it has to deal with a number of regional issues, Kurtulmuş stated that this responsibility requires an active and principled foreign policy style.

Noting that a new approach which is able to have an impact on the operation of international politics is urgently needed, Kurtulmuş said: “We need a new paradigm in international relations. We need a new paradigm that will not make any distinction between ‘us' and ‘them' nor claim possession of all the opportunities and resources in the world. We need a new perspective that views the earth as an asset that must be handed down to future generations intact. To this end, Turkey has some responsibilities. It has to design a foreign policy that considers not only its own territories and nation, but also its region and the entire world. We have to consider the troubled youngsters in Amsterdam and New York in our foreign policy. We have to seek solutions to the problems of the landless villagers in Mexico. We have to think about the abject conditions of desperate people in Africa who suffer from poverty and hunger.”

Noting that the world would be a better place if this perspective were adopted, Kurtulmuş stressed that the current global system seems to be unable to achieve this.

Global justice and wisdom

Noting that the serenity and happiness of people throughout world can be achieved through the maintenance of world peace, the SP leader added that global peace is secured by global justice and wisdom. Arguing that a country which refrains from putting an emphasis on global justice and wisdom in its foreign policy will not survive as a global power, Kurtulmuş said, “No international system can be sustained unless it is based on global justice and wisdom.” He said peace, justice and freedom for all people should not merely be concepts used in rhetoric, adding that it will not be possible to talk about global wisdom if they remain so.