Academics, journalists and experts from Turkey, Germany and even from some other European countries participated and the keynote speech, titled “What's New in Turkish Domestic and Foreign Policy under the AKP Government?” was delivered by Dr. Heinz Kramer, a senior researcher from the German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP). Turkey and Germany may be said to have a special relationship, even if one considers only the fact that about 2.5 million people who originated from Turkey live and work in the latter. Over the years, I have met a significant number of German journalists, diplomats and other experts who follow and comment on Turkish domestic and foreign policy with a much-appreciated competence. It is surprising, therefore, that Kramer remains the only German academic of significance who specializes in Turkish politics.
Kramer's remarks triggered a well-deserved debate on both the domestic and the foreign policy of the AKP government, especially on the latter. Here I will deal only with his observations on foreign policy, which can be summarized with the following points:
- Turkey's new foreign policy does not fully support the European idea of the country being a “bridge” between Europe and the Muslim world. The claim of being a “central state” points to a different direction. The question arises over whether the new Turkish foreign policy is compatible with the EU's idea of a common foreign and security policy.
- Ahmet Davutoğlu's doctrine of “strategic depth” does not imply EU membership as a requirement of successful Turkish foreign policy. Hence, the AKP could, in principle, also accept a special relationship as long as Turkey's “centrality” is not negatively affected.
- Turkey's new foreign policy means a clear break with the country's foreign policy tradition concerning its relations with the West. In light of this background, it is astonishing that the Turkish “EU debate” has avoided the question of what could be the implications of not becoming an EU member.
My main responses to Kramer's remarks can also be summarized around the following points:
- Turkey's new foreign policy has indeed made a clear break with its foreign policy tradition, if that (questionably) is taken as being subservient to the West. It is unquestionably a clear break with tradition if that tradition is taken as isolationism, avoidance of closer relations with neighbors, the use of military threats or military force as foreign policy instruments and as being based on a zero-sum approach in its relations with the outside world.
- The new Turkish foreign policy is based mainly on the principles of finding win-win solutions to differences with neighbors on the basis of talking to them and increasing economic interdependence with them. With its new foreign policy, Turkey engages with all the state and significant non-state actors in the region to facilitate peaceful solutions to problems that threaten its own security and global security. Ankara's foreign policy initiatives have surely also facilitated the dialogue between the West and regional actors such as Iran, Syria and various parties in Iraq.
- Its new foreign policy does not at all conflict with Turkey's Western orientation, that is, with its main foreign policy objectives of having close ties with the US and achieving full membership in the EU. The Obama administration, more than any other administration in the US, is aware of Turkey's importance for the Western alliance and supports Turkish accession to the EU. If not France and Germany, most EU states, including the UK, Italy, Sweden, Spain and Poland also support full Turkish membership. How can one then talk about the EU's (or the West's) common foreign and security policy? (It is interesting to note in this context that a German diplomat attending the workshop responded to Kramer's remarks by saying that the German Foreign Ministry is very happy with Turkey practicing an independent foreign policy and taking on more responsibility, its being a major player in its region rather than the West's outpost.)
- The new Turkish foreign policy not only serves Turkish national interests by enhancing its security and economic development, thus bringing it closer to the EU, it also serves the interests of the EU by projecting the values of peace and democracy in its region, values the EU stands for. It has not only changed the image of Turkey among the Muslim masses as a lackey of the West, but, by its sheer acceptance as a candidate for membership, positively changed the image of the EU in the Muslim world.
- It is quite clear that if the EU slams the door on its membership, Turkey, with its new foreign (and indeed domestic) policy, will be much better prepared to adapt to the consequences than it was previously. In this respect the new Turkish foreign policy may even be in the interest of those in the EU who oppose Turkish membership.
Kramer is absolutely right in demanding a serious debate in Turkey on the implications of the EU slamming the door on Turkish membership. The point, however, that a serious debate in the EU on the implications of Turkey slamming that door is equally necessary was also raised at the workshop.
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