MILLIYET- Columnist Sami Kohen writes on President Ahmet Necdet Sezer’s visit to Iran and Turkey’s policy pursued towards it. A summary of his column is as follows:
President Ahmet Necdet Sezer’s two-day visit to Iran coincided with EU’s decision on the policy to be pursued towards that country. Under this decision, the EU will initiate negotiations to sign an economic and political cooperation agreement. This EU policy made by the Council of Ministers in Luxembourg, stands in stark contrast to the US policy defending the opposite view, trying to isolate Iran. Sezer’s visit and the speeches delivered there, demonstrated that Ankara’s policy tended to be more in line with that of the EU rather than the US. The difference of opinion between the EU and the US regarding Iran stems from a basic approach. The US argues that Iran is one of the focal countries in its proclaimed ‘axis of evil’. Even though, reformists lead by President Khatami have recently increased their influence, Tehran is supporting terrorism here and there, possessing weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missiles, and is trying to expand its influence. Therefore, Washington is intent on keeping Iran under pressure until it decides to quit pursuing these policies. On the other hand, the EU defends the necessity of opening up to Iran. The economic interests of Europeans play an important role in adopting such a policy. In addition, the EU states that in order to encourage reformists and weaken radicals in Tehran, it is necessary to improve economic and political relations with the Khatami administration. They believe that only then Iran can cooperate with the West on issues such as terrorism. However, the EU’s stance disturbs the US. Washington sees this as ‘naive support’ for Iran as it will continue to do what it likes on mass destructive weapons and be a threat to the world in consequence. For some time now, Turkey has been trying to solve disputes with Iran stemming from its export of revolution, to focus on terrorism and security and improving the economic relations between the two countries. Sezer’s recent visit has been an important step forward in achieving this goal. The pragmatic approach displayed by Turkish diplomacy on the issue demonstrated that its point of view towards Iran is closer to that of the EU than the US. Ankara believes this policy to be vitally important. It also believes that such a policy will lead Iran to act more moderately and rationally.
SOURCE: OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER, DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF PRESS AND INFORMATION