Particularly since 2006, the international media, the think tank community and various political circles have been entertaining the overly dramatic question of whether Turkey has turned eastward at the expense of its traditional allies in the West. Operating in the midst of Turkey’s multidimensional foreign policy making, we are amused by these prophetic warnings and find such policy briefs and opinion pieces overly simplistic to say the least.Turkey’s neighborhood policy, implemented since 2002, aims at Turkey reintegrating into its immediate neighborhood in line with our vision of Turkey’s unique strategic depth. Indeed, putting Turkey at the center of a number of intersecting regions, such as the Balkans, the Black Sea, the Caucasus, the Middle East and the Eastern Mediterranean, Ankara has irrevocably changed the strategic calculus in the neighborhood. We have long been articulating that Turkey’s policy is not at the expense of its Western vocation, but on the contrary, is complimentary to it. No doubt, we would have wished to be in a more peaceful and stable neighborhood than that we are currently in. However, Turkey has always put realism and sober foreign policy interests at the heart of its policies. Regardless of the character and complexity of some of our neighbors, we are determined to maximize Turkish security by minimizing the problem areas in our immediate neighborhood. With this in mind, we aim to deepen our political dialogue, extend our trade relations and encourage people-to-people contact via sports and cultural activities. Whether some approve or not, the world will have to get used to the fact that Turkey will be trading and dealing with its neighbors.
Besides, Turkey is the heir of a large multiethnic empire that formerly straddled Turkey’s current neighborhood. Moreover, 99 percent of Turkey’s population is Muslim, and it is only natural that we enjoy good relations with neighboring Muslim countries. Given these basic facts, one wonders whether criticism about our foreign policy orientation is really well-intentioned or demonstrates a distinct sense of anxiety based on other considerations.
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has demonstrated that he does not shy away from tackling some of the thorniest issues in our neighborhood space -- normalization with Armenia being one of the starkest examples. Nor is the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) government shying away from pushing for a mediated settlement under the UN umbrella in Cyprus.
As a responsible member of the UN Security Council and a country with a growing regional posture, we cannot ignore internationally documented human rights violations committed during Israel’s war on Gaza. Turkey is not alone in doing so. It would have been absurd to allow Israeli warplanes to exercise over Turkish air space while these same warplanes were responsible for bombing innocent civilians in Gaza. Turkey wants to maintain relations with Israel but not at any cost.
Interpreting Turkey’s neighborhood outreach with alarmist overtones as a shift in our fundamental orientation is not only wrong but sadly far from recognizing the sophistication behind our neighborhood policies. Finally, it is necessary to stress that God has bestowed upon us Turks such a geography where engagement with a multitude of actors and directions is no longer a choice or a luxury -- but a must.
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