Turkey s role in the current scenario of the enlarged Mediterranean CASD, 23 January 2014
Outlook The Mediterranean and the Arab Spring: A tour d horizon Where does Turkey stand? Prospects for the future 2
TheMediterraneanandthe ArabSpring Mediterranean basin as a historical hub and birthplace of democratic development as well as the concepts of «East» and «West» Revival of the Mediterranean once again as the gravity center of world politics with the Arab Spring Mediterranean as a whole: Not possible anymore to confine the Mediterranean politics with «East-West» or «North- South» equations 3
TheMediterraneanandthe ArabSpring The nature of challenges requires solidarity, integration and constant interaction btw. two shores of the Mediterranean No «one-size-fits-all» solutions No solutions overnight CASD, 23.1.2013 4
Challenges: TheMediterraneanandthe ArabSpring Lack of capacity and institutions to empower democratization in the Arab World: Regimes that favored security over freedom were favored by the West for stability concerns Slow demise of the orientalist outlook and cultural relativism: «Democracy won t work in Muslim world» and «Western standards in human rights and democracy not suitable in our culture» 5
TheMediterraneanandthe Challenges (cont.) ArabSpring Socio-economic problems of the North: Crisis, rising ultranationalist, xenophobic and racist trends Socio-economic problems of the South: Unemployment, unequal distribution of wealth, lack of diversification of the economy, corruption Security, terrorism, illegal migration: Their real nature and their exaggerated perceptions Sectarianism: Devastated the West in the past, should be prevented from doing the same to the East today 6
TheMediterraneanandthe ArabSpring How to tackle with the challenges? Constant dialogue, interaction and solidarity between two shores «Fortress Europe» no longer a valid response Human and institutional capacity-building in the Arab countries Support democratic development, respect people s will International contribution to economic development Support security sector reform 7
Flashpoints TheMediterraneanandthe ArabSpring Egypt: Revolution reversed Libya: Need to prevent failed state Tunisia: A trueandfragilehopeforthefuture Yemen: Need for sustained engagement Syria: Balkans 3.0 Iraq: Deeds of sectarianism Algeria/Mali: The new old security challenge TheMiddleEast PeaceProcess: Rootof allproblems 8
WheredoesTurkeystand? Principles of Turkish Foreign Policy vis-a-visthe developments in the enlarged Mediterranean basin Not a model, but a source of inspiration Demand-driven approach A foreign policy siding with the popular movements and the repressed 9
WheredoesTurkeystand? Principles of Turkish Foreign Policy vis-a-visthe developments in the enlarged Mediterranean basin (cont.) A comprehensive approachavoiding ethnic, religious and sectarian lines Humanitarian diplomacy in an effective and decisive way in a broad geography Economic integration and cooperation in the Mediterranean basin Cooperation and coordination within multilateral fora(un, NATO, OIC etc.) 10
WheredoesTurkeystand? Egypt Continue to back democracy A policy of prioritizing security and stability over human rights not sustainable Libya Support in the security sector reform Investment in critical sectors, contribute to economic growth 11
Syria WheredoesTurkeystand? Worked relentlessly to persuade the regime on the need of reform before the crisis Sided with the people after the regime started massive civilian killings Behaved in a prudent manner even after provocations of the regime (downed jet in June 2012, 5 civilians killed in Akçakale, in October 2012) 12
WheredoesTurkeystand? Syria (cont.) Currently hosting 700.000 Syrians Spent more than 1,2 billionusds for Syrians in Turkey The level of international assistance not meeting the level of necessity 13
WheredoesTurkeystand? Syria (cont.) No future for the current Syrian regime: Backing the transition government/ Geneva II Process A new Balkan tragedy must not be repeated in Syria Fully supporting the National Coalition 14
WheredoesTurkeystand? The Middle East Peace Process Historic vote in the UNGA for non-member observer state status of Palestine: A Contribution to peace Israel sunilateralandirresponsiblepolicieson settlement and tax revenues Supporting«the Kerry initiative» 15
WheredoesTurkeystand? Mali Territorial integrity of Mali is crucial Support the international efforts for national reconciliation and democracy through free elections Called OIC for an extraordinary meeting on Mali Implementation of the UN Security Council Resolution on Mali (2085-2012) as soon as possible Multilateral efforts coordinated within the UN will bear result Support efforts of the ECOWAS 16
Prospectsforthefuture Long term stability lies in democracy Strike a right balance between security and freedom Necessity for continued, dynamic and effective integration between all shores of Mediterranean basin 17
Prospectsforthefuture Turkey EU partnership embodied in full membership is vital for stability, prosperity and security in the broad Mediterranean basin 18
«The Mediterranean did indeed operate as a mechanism tending to bring together the countries scattered round its immense perimeter. But the sea did not itself spin the web in which it was captured alive. But the very fact that the Mediterranean, while in thrall to Rome, was still a living entity with a healthy pulse of its own, meant that all its cultural goods continued to circulate, mingling ideas and beliefs, and bringing about a uniformity in material civilization which has left traces still visible today.» Fernand Braudel, The Mediterranean in the Ancient World 19
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