Foreign relations of Turkey
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Turkey |
 This article is part of the series: |
|
|
|
|
Other countries · Politics Portal |
| Part of the series Foreign relations of |
 |
|
Because of geopolitical reasons, foreign relations of the Republic of Turkey are primarily with the Western world and its neighboring countries. Turkey has continued to pursue its candidacy for membership in the European Union, a cornerstone of its foreign relations, since 1963. Turkey also has important relations with many individual European, Middle Eastern and Central Asian countries as well as with the US, Israel and Azerbaijan.
Contents |
[edit] Relations by regions
[edit] European Union
Turkish ambitions to join the European Union in the early 1960s soon resulted in associate status in the European Economic Community. The Turkish government hoped that full membership would follow in the years to come. Turbulence from the 1970s until the late 1980s forced Turkey to delay formally applying to join the European Community until 1987. The application was rejected, although the EC did say that Turkish membership could occur at some point in the future.
An EU-Turkey Customs Union came into force on January 1, 1996, allowing goods to travel between the Turkey and EU member states without customs restrictions, although it crucially stopped short of lifting restrictions in such areas as agriculture.
The European Union confirmed Turkey's status as candidate for membership at its Helsinki Conference in 1999. The accession talks did not follow immediately however, as the EU said Turkey had to make significant reforms, particularly in the field of human rights, before the talks could begin. Turkey's current administration has identified EU membership as its top priority, and has taken many - and sometimes controversial - reform packages through the parliament aimed at gradually harmonizing Turkey with EU standards. Since October 2005, Turkey has formally started accession negotiations with the EU and these will be based on the acquis communautaire.
- See also: European Union-Turkey Customs Union
[edit] Europe
Turkey has close ties with the Balkan states. The Balkans are important as they are a gateway to continental Europe and also because historical and cultural ties exist among the peoples of both regions. Turkey attaches importance to the creation of an atmosphere of understanding and peaceful co-habitation through closer ties among the Balkan countries, which would lead to the preservation of peace and stability in the region. Turkey has participated in NATO operations and peacekeeping missions. Turkey has contributed to KFOR and the UN police mission in Kosovo (UNMIK), the EU police mission (EUPM) in Bosnia-Herzegovina, as well as the EU-led police mission “Proxima” in Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. Turkey is also contributing to the EUFOR-ALTHEA. For the reconstruction efforts; Turkey is part of launching the Southeastern European Cooperation Process (SEECP), and the Multinational Peace Force Southeast Europe (MPFSEE)/Southeastern Europe Brigade (SEEBRIG). Turkey also plays a role in regional economic initiatives as well as the Stability Pact for Southeastern Europe initiated by the EU and the Southeast European Cooperative Initiative (SECI).
Turkey announced its support for the 2004 Annan Plan for Cyprus. The plan was accepted by Turkish Cypriots (but not by 2/3, although a simple majority was needed), but overwhelmingly (3/4) rejected by Greek Cypriots. Turkey continues to recognize the TRNC at the expense of the Cypriot government in the south, and thus far, the Turkish Embassy in (north) Nicosia is the only official diplomatic mission in the TRNC. The issue of recognition became a thorn in Turkey's candidacy for European Union membership, particularly after the internationally-recognized south was admitted to the Union.
- See also: Franco-Turkish relations, Turkey-Germany relations, Greco-Turkish relations, and Cyprus dispute
[edit] Middle East
The father of modern Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk created a radical shift in Turkish domestic and foreign policy by instituting a strong secularist policy which some have suggested was anti-Islamic. Atatürk was a Europhile in many ways and made great efforts to modernize Turkey.
Turkey was the first Muslim-majority nation to formally recognize the State of Israel [1]. Israel has been a major supplier of arms to Turkey. Military, strategic, and diplomatic cooperation between Turkey and Israel is accorded high priority by the governments of both countries, which share concerns with respect to the regional instabilities in the Middle East [2] [3] [4]. In the book "Israel's Secret Wars", Benny Morris provides an account of how Mossad operatives based in Turkey infiltrated into Iraq and orchestrated a number of Iraqi Kurdish uprisings to weaken the Iraqi government. It has been reported that the Israeli Mossad played a major role in the capture of the Kurdish leader Abdullah Ocalan in 1999 [5]. The Israeli and Turkish navies have conducted joint exercises. There is a plan to build a massive pipeline from Turkey to supply water, electricity, gas and oil to Israel [6]. In 2000, Israel and Turkey signed a free-trade agreement [7]. .In the beginning of 2006, the Israeli foreign ministry characterized its relations with Turkey as "perfect". However, in February 2006, a visit paid by Khaled Meshal, a leader of the newly elected Hamas, changed this status. Israeli diplomats went so far as to compare this visit to a possible official visit of Abdullah Öcalan (the imprisoned PKK leader) to Israel, but Turkish authorities immediately denounced this comparison as "irresponsible and erroneous". After Khaled Meshal paid an official visit to Russia, Turkish-Israeli relations entered a "cooling down" process. Some have suggested that this was only a public relations stunt to show the Islamic world that Turkey was on their side because Turkey had been silent in major issues important to Arabs and the Islamic community like the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and the Lebanon crisis [8]. Israel has even advocated that Turkey make up a majority of peace keepers in Lebanon because it has said that it does not trust troops from other Islamic countries like Bangladesh and Malaysia [9].
The history of the Jewish-Turkish relations dates back to the Ottoman Empire when the British-Jewish Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Benjamin Disraeli advocated for the Ottoman empire. Turkey served as a haven for European Jews refuge fleeing Nazi persecution during the 1930s and 1940s.
The Republic of Turkey and its eastern neighbour Iran have had generally calm and good relations. One historically problematic point was Iran's support for the Kurds, besides this relations have almost always been fair. A period of coldness passed after the 1979 Iranian Revolution which caused major changes in Iran and the world's status quo. Today Iran and Turkey cooperate in a wide variety of fields that range from fighting terrorism, Iraq and Central Asia. Both countries have strongly advocated Iraqi territorial integrity since the beginning 2003 Iraqi invasion. [10]
Among all the borderlines between Turkey and its neighbours, the biggest one is the one with Syria. Turkey's relationship with Syria has not always been on the good side. The water disputes were a major element in the relations. Turkey has made several dams on Euphrates to develop the region. Annexation of Hatay in 1939 was a cause of conflicts. Hatay became independent from Syria, then a French mandate, in 1938 and became a parlimentary republic with a majoriy of Turkish people in the republic and in the parliament; 8 months later it was annexed by Turkey. Turkey had alleged Syria of ties to PKK, which is listed as a terrorist organization internationally by a number of states and organizations, including the USA, NATO and the EU. The relations have improved after the capture of Abdullah Öcalan, leader of PKK.
[edit] North America
Friendship between Turkey and the United States dates to the late 18th century and was officially sealed by a treaty in 1830. The present close relationship began with the agreement of July 12, 1947 which implemented the Truman Doctrine. As part of the cooperative effort to further Turkish economic and military self-reliance, the United States has loaned and granted Turkey more than $12.5 billion in economic aid and more than $14 billion in military assistance.
Turkey sided with the United states during the Korean War of the early 1950s, providing active military support to U.S. forces. During the Gulf War of 1990, Turkish Armed Forces contributed to the coalition forces, and Turkey supported United States initiatives in the region. The country hosts the Incirlik Air Base, a major operations base of the United States Air Force, since 1954.
Turkish-American relations focus on areas such as strategic energy cooperation, trade and investment, security ties, regional stability, the global War on Terrorism, and human rights progress. Relations were strained when Turkey refused to allow American troops to deploy through its territory to Iraq, but regained momentum steadily thereafter and mutual interests remain strong across a wide spectrum of issues.
The U.S. and Turkey have had a Joint Economic Commission and a Trade and Investment Framework Agreement for several years. In 2002, the two countries indicated their joint intent to upgrade bilateral economic relations by launching an Economic Partnership Commission. In 2005, Turkish exports to the U.S. totaled $4.9 billion, and U.S. exports to Turkey totaled $5.3 billion.
- See also: Embassy of Turkey in Ottawa
[edit] South Caucasus
The former Soviet republics of the South Caucasus (Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia) are important for Turkey politically, economically, socially or culturally. The country develops policies in this region taking into account of strategic importance due to its energy resources and pipeline corridors.
Turkey has closed its border with and imposed economic sanctions on Armenia since the war over Nagorno-Karabakh between Azerbaijan and Karabakh Armenian separatists. Armenia claims that Turkey is using the blockade to isolate their country with projects such as the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline and the Kars-Akhalkalaki-Baku railway both of which directly bypass Armenia. Both Armenian and Turkish politicians alike have expressed a desire for the blockade to be lifted, but little has been done.
Turkey shares a common culture and history with Azerbaijan. In addition, Turkish and Azerbaijani are mutually intelligible. Turkey has been a staunch supporter of Azerbaijan in its efforts to consolidate its independence, preserve its territorial integrity and realize its economic potential arising from the rich natural resources of the Caspian Sea. Turkey approaches the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict using the Minsk Process and standing by the principal of the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. Turkey supported indirect bilateral talks between Azerbaijan and Armenia. With the aim of playing a facilitator role, Turkey initiated a trilateral process of dialogue (Reykjavik, 2002 & Istanbul Summit, 2004) among the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Turkey, Azerbaijan and Armenia.
There are currently no diplomatic relations between Turkey and Armenia. Next to the closed borders, Armenian Genocide is the biggest issue in the tense relations between Turkey and Armenia. Armenia claims that the deaths of as many as 1.5 million Armenians during the final years of the Ottoman Empire were a result of state-sponsored genocide. Turkey disputes this and insists that the deaths among the Armenians were a result of inter-ethnic strife, disease and famine during the turmoil of World War I.
Turkey has close partnership relations with Georgia. Turkey views the Abkhazian conflict and South Ossetian conflicts as a potential danger to peace and stability in the entire region. The resolution of these problems is essential for the preservation of stability in the whole region. Turkey has shown a readiness to be a negotiator for the Abkhazian conflict.
- See also: Armenian-Turkish relations, Armenian Genocide, and Turkey-Azerbaijan relations
[edit] Central Asia
 |
This section is a stub. You can help by expanding it. |
Turkey has strong cultural and linguistic ties with the predominantly Turkic nations of Central Asia. Turkey is even working on developing solid relations with the two Persian-speaking nations of the region, Afghanistan and Tajikistan.
Afghanistan was the second country to recognize the Republic of Turkey. Turkey supports the Bonn Process and the Central Government. Turkey participated in the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) since its inception and assumed the command of ISAF II between June 2002 and February 2003 and ISAF VII between February and August 2005. Turkey provides training for the Afghan National Army and Police Force. Turkey has undertaken a number of reconstruction projects in the fields of education, health and agriculture. Turkish construction firms are also active in the country with investments.
[edit] International organizations
Turkey is a founding member of the United Nations [11], the OIC [12], the OECD [13] and the OSCE [14], a member state of the NATO and the Council of Europe as well as being in accession negotiations with the European Union.
Turkey entered NATO in 1952 and serves as the organization's vital eastern anchor, controlling the straits leading from the Black Sea to the Mediterranean and sharing a border with Syria, Iraq, and Iran. A NATO headquarters is located in İzmir, and the United States has maintained air forces at a Turkish base called Incirlik in the province of Adana.
Turkey is also member of the World Trade Organization (WTO). It has signed free trade agreements with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), Israel, and many other countries. In 1992, Turkey and 10 other regional nations formed the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Council to expand regional trade and economic cooperation.
[edit] Debates and frictions
Turkey and Greece have clashed for decades over the status of Aegean islands and over the extent of territorial waters and airspace. The tensions came to the brink of war on a number of occasions, most recently in 1996, when Greek and Turkish warships faced each other close to the disputed Imia-Kardak rocks. Only U.S. and NATO intervention subsided the conflict. In February 1999, relations between Greek officials and Abdullah Öcalan (holding South Cypriot passport) and the role of Greek Embassy in Nairobi International Airport Kenya when he captured in an operation by Turkish National Intelligence Organization (MİT) caused crisis in relations between two countries for a period of time, but relations have since improved, particularly after earthquakes struck both countries in 1999. However, the Imia issue sprang up again on a smaller scale in 2004.
In WWI, roughly one million Armenians were deported from eastern Anatolia, where Turkey and Russia were fighting, to modern Syria and Iraq in 1915. Armenia maintains that the Armenian Genocide was a deliberate and intentional attempt to exterminate Ottoman Armenians. This view is also supported by most historians.[15] The Ottoman government said the deportation was for security measures, since many Armenians were siding with the enemy [16]. The Republic of Turkey insists that the deaths among the Armenians were a result of inter-ethnic strife, disease and famine during the turmoil of World War I. Today, the border between Turkey and Armenia has been shut since the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict broke out in 1994. Both this issue and the events of 1915 remain large stumbling blocks on the way to opening the border and establishing diplomatic relations between Turkey and Armenia.
The effects of Turkey's invasion of Cyprus in 1974, which followed a Greek coup d'etat on the island, continues to be one of the most hotly-contested issues in Turkish foreign relations. A Turkish Federated State, what later became the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), was unilaterally declared on the island in 1975, and the UN Green Line has split the two sides ever since.
- See also: Aegean dispute, Armenian Genocide, and Cyprus dispute
[edit] References
- ^ Mahmut Bali Aykan, “The Palestinian Question in Turkish Foreign Policy from the 1950s to the 1990s”, Interantional Journal of Middle Eastern Studies, Volume 25, No.: 1, February 1993 and also, http://www.smi.uib.no/pao/hawas.html
- ^ http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/281909.stm
- ^ http://ankara.mfa.gov.il/mfm/web/main/document.asp?subjectid=18367&missionid=65&languageid=0&statusi
- ^ http://www.thirdworldtraveler.com/New_World_Order/PowerBloc_TurkeyIsrael
- ^ http://www.washington-report.org/backissues/0499/9904060.html
- ^ ^Konuralp Pamukçu, "Water trade between ısrael and turkey: a start ın the mıddle east?" Middle East Policy, 10(4) Winter 2003 and http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1145961328841&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull.
- ^ http://www.dtm.gov.tr/ab/ingilizce/sta/israil/israel.htm
- ^ http://www.thenation.com/doc/20020902/vest20020823 and for some historical records see, Mahmut Bali Aykan, “The Palestinian Question in Turkish Foreign Policy from the 1950s to the 1990s”, Interantional Journal of Middle Eastern Studies, Volume 25, No.: 1, February 1993
- ^ http://.www.turkishweekly.net/comments.php?id=2211
- ^ Ali Balci and Murat Yesiltas, "Turkey's New Middle East Policy: The Case of the Meeting of the Foreign Ministers of Iraq's Neighboring Countries", Journal of South Asian and Middle Eastern Studies, XXIX (4), Summer 2006, pp. 18-38
- ^ [1]
- ^ [2]
- ^ [3]
- ^ [4]
- ^ Josh Belzman. "PBS effort to bridge controversy creates more", MSNBC, April 23, 2006. Retrieved on 2006-10-05.
- ^ Armenian-Turkish Conflict
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- Timeline of Turkish-Israeli Relations, 1949-2006 (PDF)
- Armenian-Turkish Conflict
- Revisiting the Armenian Genocide
Albania · Andorra · Armenia2 · Austria · Azerbaijan1 · Belarus · Belgium · Bosnia and Herzegovina · Bulgaria · Croatia · Cyprus2 · Czech Republic · Denmark · Estonia · Finland · France · Georgia1 · Germany · Greece · Hungary · Iceland · Ireland · Italy · Kazakhstan1 · Latvia · Liechtenstein · Lithuania · Luxembourg · Republic of Macedonia · Malta · Moldova · Monaco · Montenegro · Netherlands · Norway · Poland · Portugal · Romania · Russia1 · San Marino · Serbia · Slovakia · Slovenia · Spain · Sweden · Switzerland · Turkey1 · Ukraine · United Kingdom · Vatican City
Dependencies, autonomies and other territories
Abkhazia1 · Adjara2 · Åland · Akrotiri and Dhekelia · Crimea · Faroe Islands · Gibraltar · Guernsey · Isle of Man · Jersey · Kosovo · Nagorno-Karabakh2 · Nakhichevan2 · Transnistria · Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus2, 3
1 Has significant territory in Asia. 2 Entirely in West Asia, but considered European for cultural, political and historical reasons. 3 Only recognised by Turkey.
