Tuncer Kilinic (Turkey’s secretary general of National Security Council) spoke out against Turkey joining the EU. He argued that Turkey should work towards creating good relations with their regional neighbours (Russia and Iran).

 Transatlantic trends 2006 survey showed that Turks feel twice as warm towards Iran as they do with the US. What do the Iranian people have in common with the Turks? Iran’s population is predominately Shi'a whilst Turkey although officially a ‘secular’ state mainly consist of Sunni Muslims.

Turkish feelings towards the EU have sharply declined the fundamental reason for this sharp decline is due to the changes in global politics post 9/11; either you’re “with us or against us” attitude. The decision to go to war by the US was strongly opposed by Turks, especially during the time when Turkey was to win peace with Kurdish citizens. The Turkish parliament refused to grant the US the right to invade Iraq, and doing so inflicted considerable trauma upon the Turks.

 As for the traditionally secular Turks identity politics is at crisis with the increasing instability around the Turkish borders due to the protests and outcry of Danish cartoons.  While turkey’s neighbourhood becomes more dangerous and strategic value to the West increases, it is often neglected as a partner. Not surprisingly, Turkish support for EU membership has dropped from 73% in 2004 to 54% in 2006 (Transatlantic trend survey). Turkey is redefining its foreign-policy orientation in view of its newly discovered strategic depth.  

The Turkish response to this situation is very much linked to domestic politics. The rise of the justice and development party in 2002 brought into office a cadre that is willing to engage more directly with the Middle East and the wider Islamic world.  The war in Iraq, western tensions with Syria and Iran and the war in Lebanon provided ample opportunities for Turkish decision makers to express there new foreign-policy outlook.

While it is still too early to talk about a major shift in Turkey, all the ingredients for realignment are there.

Source: iht.com 

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