BY SAMI KOHEN
MILLIYET- In terms of its foreign relations, we can define 2004 as Turkey’s ‘Image Makeover Year’. The whole world was abuzz about Turkey, and we reflected a positive new image to the international community. It’s the image of a country which has implemented sweeping political and social reforms domestically, reconciled democracy and Islam, began integrating with the European Union, and played a multifaceted role in world politics. Turkey became the focal point of important international developments, which played an important role making this new image. For example, a NATO summit was held in Istanbul, our own Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu was elected head of the Organization for the Islamic Conference (OIC), and important developments were seen in Turkey’s EU membership process. 2004 will be remembered as the most active and intensive year of Turkish diplomacy in recent decades. Not only is Turkey trying to deal with incidents which are out of its hands such as the Iraq issue, but is also working to find solutions to problems such as the Cyprus issue, and took great strides towards overarching goals such as its EU membership. Of course we can’t expect to be entirely successful or always get concrete results. For example, developments in Iraq are of great concern to Turkey. Despite of all its efforts, Ankara hasn’t gotten what it seeks. In addition, the Turkish side on Cyprus was supported internationally thanks to Ankara’s strategy, but expectations favoring the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) remained unfulfilled.
Of course the biggest foreign policy event of the year for us was the EU’s decision to start our membership talks. The government really zeroed into this target and worked very hard. Although the outcome of the Dec. 17 EU summit is now under debate, the EU’s decision was a historic turning point. In addition, the current political power places great importance on its immediate geography and trying to establish firm relations with neighboring countries. The result of contacts with Syria can be considered a particular success. Turkey is trying to play regional roles focused around the Caucasus, the Balkans and the Middle East. Meanwhile, our efforts for rapprochement with Russia and Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to Ankara can also be considered successes. Turkish-US relations were both positive and negative. The Iraq issue is a serious problem in these ties. In addition, Ankara is trying to get these relations back on track due to Washington’s vital importance and priority in Turkish foreign policy.”