Meeting of Neighboring Countries might Become Regional Dynamic

By Salih Boztas
The Meeting of Neighboring Countries to Iraq has developed a structure that it approves of. The neighboring countries as a geographical area have gathered officially eight times, ten times in total counting the unofficial sessions.

The process that started in Istanbul before the Iraq War has met at the same time the first elected Iraqi administration came on duty. Foreign ministers of the participating countries have reached some compromise although they did not reach to unanimous opinion.

The results, which were reached with great difficulty at the beginning, were made in a few hours. The technical delegates of these nine neighboring countries sharing the same geography have also developed an intimacy "in the level of friendship". They know each other's views and opinions.

United Arab Emirates, the European Union (EU), the United Nations (UN) and IKO have also contributed to the meetings as well as the neighboring countries. Now there is a question; what will these meetings result in? The boredom experienced in the establishment of a new administration in Iraq has proved that there is still a need for this regional group.

The ninth official meeting of the process will be held in Tehran. The Gulf countries, on the other hand, think that the process is complete. To them, the decisions made in previous meetings have been repeated and their implementation has not been realized.

The experts have reported that the neighbors have reached a working consensus and there will be more effort needed. The harmony of the foreign ministers at the end of the meetings and their work for the solution of other regional problems matter for the future.

The aid given during the reconstruction process might contribute to the democratization process of the region. According to diplomatic circles, the process is not yet at this level but it is a clear goal for the future.

Success of the group depends on the support of other participating countries for the idea as well as Turkey. The joint movement capability of Turkish and Syrian delegates is an encouraging sign for the future.