Turkey extending its axis
by
RECEP TAYYİP ERDOĞAN*

Today Mevlana’s universal messages have even more meaning and significance than ever before. The world is going through difficult times. There are both positive and negative aspects to globalization, as demonstrated by various global problems that we confront today. Issues such as poverty, wars, conflicts, terror, immigration and intolerance are becoming greater threats to humanity. Humans are increasingly moving away from trying to understand each other. Segregation and polarization are instead becoming preferred methods.

As the last global crisis indicates, the gap between the rich and the poor is growing, and this gap results in less cooperation and solidarity among people.  

I have no intention of drawing a negative picture. Despite this negative state of affairs, I have very strong hopes for the future. I know that there are alternatives, and I sincerely believe that we can build a different world. During the times of Mevlana Jelaluddin Rumi, this region was seriously threatened by Mongolian invasions. Many books and libraries were burned, men of knowledge were killed and cultures and civilizations were destroyed. Yet, thanks to Mevlana and men like him, the qualities that humanity possessed continued to illuminate the world.

Mevlana’s inspiration of hope

Mevlana inspired us with hope. “If the clouds couldn’t cry then how could the meadows smile?” said Mevlana. He welcomed the rising of the sun after each sunset, reminding us that every day was a new day. In fact, despite all wars, conflicts and destruction, humanity has been able to recover once again.

Today, with the experience gained from history, we believe that we can change this negative picture, preventing greater sorrows and destruction.

We have to understand one another. We have to make an effort to understand each other. We must put aside our prejudices and preconceptions and be tolerant of one another. If the rich sympathize with the poor, poverty is allayed. Sorrows are lessened when they are shared. Happiness grows when it is shared. Welfare becomes permanent through solidarity.

Conflicts do not make our world and lives better. Quite the contrary, it is friendship and brotherhood that make them livable. Conflicts going on even at this very moment in many parts of our world can’t guarantee our future; on the contrary, they threaten the future of our regions and our world.

Terrorism does not help anybody, including itself. It is a threat even to those that protect, favor and oversee it. This is the reason why, on such an important evening, I emphasize once more the importance of building alliances. I emphasize once more solidarity and cooperation. I underline once again the importance of friendship and brotherhood. Alliance, peace, solidarity, friendship and brotherhood are difficult to attain. Yet, it is beyond question that we need these ideas and sentiments.

European integration and Mevlana

I believe that our meeting on a day of such historical importance is very meaningful in terms of Turkey’s European Union accession process.

European integration, founded on values of tolerance, compromise and dialogue, is consistent with Mevlana’s philosophy, which has illuminated humanity since the 13th century. Mevlana’s teachings, based on compassion, made this land a center of universal values for centuries.

Today we will participate in the international events organized to commemorate the 736th anniversary of Mevlana’s “reunion,” remembering these values once again.

Dec. 17 is an important date for us for another reason. Today, Dec. 17, is also the fifth anniversary of the Brussels summit, where Turkey was given a date to start accession negotiations with the EU. As you may well know, Turkey’s integration with the EU officially started in 1959 with the application made by the late [Adnan] Menderes. Unfortunately, no significant steps were taken since then. With this awareness, at the end of 2002 when we came to power, we identified EU membership as Turkey’s strategic objective, and since then, we have demonstrated great determination concerning this end.

With this determination, we took significant steps for the fulfillment of the Copenhagen criteria within a short amount of time, two years. Turkey’s EU accession process gained new dynamism and enthusiasm with the Brussels summit on Dec. 17.

I once again would like to underline that EU membership is an objective over which the Turkish people have reached a consensus on. Based on this consensus, we have taken extremely important steps and realized reforms of historical importance over the last four years. We also made every effort to transform this social consensus into one of social participation and have pursued, and continue to pursue, a participatory approach to the EU accession process. The EU process is currently being discussed all over the country, in 81 provinces. It is a priority not only of the Turkish government but also of the 72 million Turkish citizens. Currently, 12 chapters are open for negotiations. One of those chapters was closed.

Turkey closer than ever to EU

Today Turkey is closer to the EU and is integrated with the EU and member states more than ever. We are determined to maintain the enthusiasm that emerged with the opening of the accession negotiations, maintain social consensus and continue the reform process at the same pace. In line with this objective, we are taking yet another very important step, which is to assign one deputy governor responsible for the EU process in each province by establishing EU contact points in all 81 provinces. This is another clear indicator of our determination in this process, as is the appointment of Egemen Bağış as the first chief negotiator and minister for EU affairs.

I would like to refer to the significance of the opening of the İstanbul office of the Secretariat General for EU Affairs on Dec. 5. I already expressed this at the opening ceremony, which many of you also attended. I would like to take this opportunity to emphasize one issue in particular. As we fulfill our responsibilities in the EU accession process and display a resolute political will in this regard, we expect the EU to fulfill its commitments. The Turkey-EU process, which is based on a constructive understanding and a win-win relationship, should not be allowed to be overshadowed with ungrounded discussions.  

As you may know, UNESCO declared 2007 “Mevlana Year” to commemorate the 800th anniversary of Mevlana’s birth. I would like to draw your attention to this fact as we understand that humanity needs more than ever the eternal message of Mevlana.

We can see that greed and extremism are the greatest threats against today’s order. The growing support lately for racist and extreme rightist movements, especially in Europe, may be explained by this greed. The EU’s fundamental understanding is to “renounce grudges, hatred, animosity and hostilities and unify around common values.”

Mosques have never overshadowed the freedom of churches, synagogues or other religious centers in this geographical area. There is no community in this geographical region that was ostracized or cast as the “other” based on race, identity or religion. Neither was there any religion whose religious practices were questioned or toward which hostility or discomfort was expressed. Love overcame hostility and mercy overcame anger. This happened with the guidance of Mevlana Jelaluddin Rumi and other scholars highlighting love, peace, justice and humanity.

For this reason, my advice to those who attach religious and cultural meanings to their fallacies, identify Islam with terrorism and fuel fear of Islam and anti-Semitism is to read Mevlana. My advice to those who resort to referendums for fundamental rights and freedoms and perceive freedom of religion for people living in their country as a threat is to listen to the doctrines of Mevlana. This philosophy makes Mevlana Jelaluddin Rumi universal.

In fact, every doctrine that leads humanity to kindness, beauty and truth is universal. Mevlana’s words “One man is the mirror of the other” are no different from those of [Johann Wolfgang von] Goethe, “We don’t get to know people when they come to us; we must go to them to find out what they are like.” Today being able to repeat after Mevlana and say, “Come, come again, whoever you are” has become more significant than ever.

We note sadly that Turkey’s foreign policy has been a cause of concern lately. Some claim that Turkey has been shifting its axis. No, Turkey is extending its axis. What can be more normal for a country like Turkey, which has demographic similarities, a common culture and a common history with the countries in its region, than to establish friendly relations and to improve its trade relations with its neighbors and the countries in the region? As a confident and stable country, Turkey’s development of strong, sound and sustainable relations with its neighbors and the countries of the region is extremely beneficial for the region at large. A stronger relationship with the East means a stronger relationship with the West. Similarly, a stronger relationship with the north also means stronger relationship with the south. This is because Turkey is both a central country but also a country at the crossroads.

We are taking historically important steps in order to improve our friendship with all nations and countries in the world. Owing to its historical and strategic situation, Turkey can establish dialogue with countries within a large geographical area and use its soft power efficiently within that geography. This makes Turkey a strong and privileged country. Isn’t it meaningful that Turkey, along with Spain, is co-chairing the Alliance of Civilizations, which is an extremely critical project? Who can easily dismiss Turkey’s election to the UN Security Council with 151 votes cast by member states out of a possible 192, which is nearly a record in the history of the UN? Can we underestimate the increasing influence of Turkey in the Middle East, the Caucasus and Central Asia and its role as a reliable mediator to end conflicts in the region?

Turkey has realized all of these by mobilizing its potential. As a result of our determination, Turkey has become an important actor not only in its region but also in the world, contributing to the solution of global problems. I feel that I should express frankly that Turkey today is very different from seven years ago. Turkey today is distinct in its region in regards to its economy and politics and its enhanced standards of democracy. Issues that could not be discussed or could not even be brought up five or 10 years ago are freely discussed today.

We believe that the future will be much brighter than today, and we are making great efforts to ensure that. Doubtlessly, a strong and stable Turkey would be an element of stability for its region and for Europe and would strengthen the region. I would like to once again remind you that we expect the support and constructive contributions of our friends.