Turkey Should Help Establish An Economic Union Of Turkic States, Vasillopulos

ANKARA - Dr. Christopher Vasillopulos, professor of political science at Eastern Connecticut State University (ECSU), said Wednesday Turkey should help establish an economic union of Turkic states.
Speaking at a seminar in Ankara's TOBB University of Economics and Technology, Vasillopulos indicated that an economic union of Turkic states would be beneficial for Turkey and other Turkish communities.
"A Turkey that establishes a Turkic economic union would be attractive for the European Union (EU). Such an economic union would make Turkey's entry into the EU easier," Vasillopulos noted.
In fact, the EU would come to Turkey and invite Turkey into the EU after Turkey becomes a member of a Turkic economic union, Vasillopulos remarked.
"It would be even better if Russia is also permitted into an economic union of Turkic republics," Vasillopulos told.
"A Turkic economic union would be a threat to U.S. interests in the region as the U.S. wants to control energy lines," Vasillopulos underlined.
Touching on Turkey's geography, Vasilopulos indicated that "Turkey's geography, neighboring Iran, Iraq and Syria, provides Turkey with an advantage in its struggle to join the EU. Turkey's proximity to energy fields, including oil reserves, gives Turkey an advantage in its relations with the EU."
"Turkey is certainly a bridge between the West and the East. The EU would benefit from Turkish membership as it can have better influence in the Middle East via Turkey," Vasillopulos remarked.
"Turkey is a critical player in the region," Vasillopulos underscored.
Touching on the issue of PKK terrorism and attacks made from north of Iraq into Turkey, Dr. Vasillopulos stressed that Turkey has a right to defend itself and its citizens.
"Turkey should decide when it must take a military action against terrorists. A country must decide on its own for action when it is under attack. A surgical, limited and careful military action is desirable against terrorists attacking Turkey," Vasillopulos noted.
Asked about what he thinks on intelligence sharing between the general staffs of Turkey and the United States on terrorist PKK organization, Dr. Vasillopulos underlined that intelligence sharing is not a new topic. As two allies, Turkey and the U.S. have been sharing information for a long time, Vasillopulos said.
"Further intelligence sharing may be useful for Turkey," Vasillopulos told.
In response to a question on the establishment of an independent Kurdish state in northern Iraq, Vasillopulos told that there is already a de facto Kurdish state operating in north of Iraq.
"An independent Kurdish state will not be a threat to Turkey and Turkey's territorial integrity unless Kurdish extremists demand a 'great Kurdistan' and PKK receives support, including weapons, from an independent Kurdistan," Vasillopulos stressed.
"There is a limit to what the Turks will tolerate vis-a-vis north of Iraq," Vasillopulos noted. "I would like to add that the Democratic Society Party (DTP) should not be closed as such a situation would lead many to fall into the hands of PKK."
In regard to a bill supporting Armenian allegations about the incidents of 1915 in the U.S. Congress, Vasillopulos noted that Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi has a constituency in California in which there are thousands of Armenian Americans.
"The Armenian lobby is extremely successful in the U.S. There must be an international conference, preferably in Istanbul, that brings together scholars from all around the world to study archives related to the early 20th century. All mass murders, including the massacre of American Indians, should be discussed at this conference," Vasillopulos told.
In reference to Turkey's initiative with Spain, titled "Alliance of Civilizations", Vasillopulos stressed that it is an important initiative for global peace. "I would personally want to be involved in this project of the Alliance of Civilizations," Vasillopulos said.
Closing his remarks, Professor Vasillopulos underlined that Turkey does not need U.S. support to become a well developed, modern society. Sooner or later, Turkey will be a powerful state.