Community posts

Turkish disappointment: How the European Union contributed to Ankara's new foreign policy
23/09/2010
Author : Portuguese Institute of International Relations and Security (IPRIS)
By Diogo Noivo | Portuguese Journal of International Affairs - N°3 - Spring/Summer 2010
 
Modern Turkey has always been seen as the West’s reliable and indefectible partner in a region marked by permanent convulsion. The strength of its transatlantic ties and the resilience of its European ambition brought some comfort to both European and North American internal and external policies. Particularly after 9/11, Turkey was often presented as the living example that a Muslim country and a successful democratization process were compatible – it was portrayed as an example of the positive effect of Western influence. However, Turkey’s recent actions and statements have shaken the West’s political chessboard.

Recent events – namely an episode with an aid flotilla headed to Gaza – and the overall relationship with Israel as well as Ankara’s stance toward Iran portray a significant shift in Turkish foreign policy. This change stands for abandoning a foreign policy almost exclusively tailored to the West and its interests, and instead investing in the development of an Eastern axis. This clearly affects the advancement and outcome of a long-lasting enlargement process with the European Union – aside from disturbing Europe’s external interests and even its security – and alters the strategic grounds of the United States’ foreign policy in the Middle East.

More than an exhaustive account, this article intends to analyze the broad consequences of the EU-Turkey relationship and then argue that such outcomes have influenced Ankara’s new international stance. Therefore, it is first necessary to do a brief overview of Turkey’s EU accession process. Secondly, a general descriptive analysis of the country’s current foreign policy is needed to set the basis of Turkey’s new priorities. Lastly, this article will assess the practical changes and consequences that have occurred.

Continue reading
 
Keyword search
 
Report inappropriate content
You need to be logged in to rate and comment on articles.
Click the log in or register button in the top right corner of this page.
Add rating
1 COMMENT(S)
  • Re:Turkish disappointment: How the European Union contributed to Ankara's new foreign policy

From my viewpoint it looks like EU has two strategies – outside official diplomatic statements – for future process with Turkey: Either EU is waiting that Turkey never will comply the membership criteria or it is innovating new obstacles to guarantee this. As Turkey is extremely important economical partner for EU as well rising EU’s energy hub there is a third way offered to Turkey – a “privileged partnership”.

During next few years Turkey will come an energy hub through further development of Blue Stream pipeline from Russia and implementation of South Stream, possible implementation of Nabucco and planned import of gas from Iraq and Iran. So in energy game Turkey will have some aces; if not membership EU must offer very attractive “third way” solution for Turkey.

From my point of view “privileged partnership” could preindicate a possible search of “third way” between EU member- and non-membership. The model – when first created – could be copied also with some other countries which now are in enlargement process or included in Eastern Partnership program. On the bottom line “privileged partnership“ could be a pragmatic model of the future relations between Turkey and the EU, it can be better alternative for all stakeholders than full EU membership.

More one can find e.g. from my post “Turkey's EU hopes – is there any?”
http://arirusila.wordpress.com/2010/04/04/turkeys-eu-hopes-is-there-any/

By Ari Rusila on 9/24/2010 13:13
Report inappropriate content
 
Back to ArticleList
Wednesday, 23 May 2012
Europe's World - AUTUMN 2011 - #19
The Spring 2012 issue of Europe's World is out!

We feel it's fair to say that few if any publications in the field of international relations and policy debate have grown as fast or widened their scope so remarkably as Europe's World.

Our 100,000 readers worldwide are drawn from politics, government, business, the media, universities and NGOs.
 
le plus populaire du journal
le plus populaire de communité
le plus populaire des partenaires
Logon