I would like to draw your attention to the present situation in the world and, particularly, in Turkey. Now our country plays the minor role in the present world affairs, so I would like to suggest implementation of changes in the priorities of the foreign policy we have currently. The situation is the following: our country is experiencing hard times, as a large number of independent international actors appeared after the disintegration of USSR, and their rapidity of development will leave us a way far behind if we will not perform any changes soon. So my suggestion is to set a course on educational and industrial development to have a potential of representation of our country as the main leader in Mediterranean region. I believe that we would need to make the transition to a multi-faceted and multi-vector foreign policy: Turkey, geographically opened for many civilizations and policies should not only be holding hostage political choice as before, but try to establish good relations with bordering countries. In connection with this, its geographical location defines Turkey as a close neighbor of Europe, The Middle East, Iran, The Caucasus, The Balkans and Central Asia, and links these regions together. Therefore, of great importance is to participate effectively in affairs of regional and global importance, as we should be aimed at transition from closed and passive object on international arena to the role of an active and influential participant in the events.
The crash of bipolar world also opens new approaches for us to obtain leading role in Mediterranean region, as for many years we were in the shade of two leading countries, Russia and USA, who had strictly minimized our influence on the countries of the region. Now the new way of development is opened for us. Therefore, to strengthen our position in the region, I propose to implement a trade-oriented foreign policy with the main aim to cover all markets in the region and try to expand markets in Europe, China, Russia and South America. While establishing new and improving existing trading relations with these countries, we will be able to strengthen our role on the international arena and will help improve bi- and multilateral relations. I also propose that the one of the main priorities should be joining the European Union as an associate member. It will help us to establish respectful relations inside of the region and also become on another step closer to the way of becoming the regional leader.
In other words, in relationships with neighbor countries turkey should perform the policy of “friendship”. We believe that Turkey will become a leader soon, as the strategy of industrial and cultural improvement will raise it to the higher level of state development. It will be a primary purpose of “strategic depth” politics. We will define 6 principles of achieving of this aim, and they are taken into following: creation of equilibrium between freedom and safety, bringing in to the peaceful process of all neighbor countries, effective mutually beneficial trading relations with countries of Mediterranean region, strengthening of role and impact both in region and on all international arena, activation of international educational cooperation (implementation of educational programs) and creation of new character Turkey.
In conclusion it is necessary to remind that we need a strong and mighty leader carrying out decisive changes in our foreign policy, which will lead to positive changes of our country’s development and role on an international arena. The main principles of the Turkish foreign policy should remain to be the same – creating the image of a leading country in the region, in-depth relations with Europe and beneficial collaboration inside of the Mediterranean region.
