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Chapter 31: Foreign, Security and Defence Policy
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The regular political dialogue between the EU and Turkey continued to cover international issues of common interest, including the Middle East peace process, Western Balkans, Afghanistan/Pakistan, the Southern Caucasus and developments in North Africa and in the Middle East. Taking into account that Turkey has become more active in its wider neighbourhood, and in view of intensifying dialogue with Turkey on issues of mutual interest informal policy talks were launched in May 2011. (Concerning relations with other enlargement countries and Member States, see Political criteria 2.3 – Regional issues and international obligations).
As regards the common foreign and security policy (CFSP), in the reporting period Turkey aligned itself, when invited, with 32 out of the 67 relevant EU declarations and Council decisions (48% alignment).
Bilateral relations with Iraq continued to improve, Turkey has maintained close official contacts with the Iraqi authorities, and the Prime Minister visited Iraq, including the Kurdish Regional Government. Turkey engaged with Iran on the nuclear dossier. Turkey did not align itself with restrictive measures imposed by the EU on Iran, in addition to the fourth round of UNSC sanctions. On 21-22 January 2011, talks between the P5+1 chaired by the EU and Iran took place in Istanbul.
As regards the Middle East, Turkey’s relations with Israel have further deteriorated since the Gaza Flotilla incident in 2010. After the publication of the independent UN report, Turkey downgraded relations with Israel and suspended military agreements with Israel. Turkey welcomed the agreement on Palestinian reconciliation brokered in May 2011.
Turkey closely followed events in Syria. Turkey issued a call to refrain from disproportionate and excessive use of force, and for continued reform efforts. Since the beginning of the unrest, Turkey provided humanitarian assistance to more than 18,000 fleeing Syrians, hosted in seven camps along the Syrian border. Turkey did not align itself with EU restrictive measures with regard to Syria Turkey was actively involved in promoting a solution to the political crisis in Lebanon which unfolded in January 2011. An agreement on setting up a free trade zone encompassing Lebanon, Turkey, Jordan and Syria was signed in November 2010. As regards developments in North Africa, Turkey was vocal on the need for a change of regime in Egypt. Turkey expressed support for the people’s aspirations in Tunisia.
Turkey eventually agreed to support NATO’s command of operations for the enforcement of UNSC Resolutions 1970 and 1973 on Libya. Turkey did not align itself with EU restrictive measures with regard to Libya. Turkey is a member of the contact group. Turkey provided substantial humanitarian assistance to Libya. The Foreign Minister described Gaddafi’s ousting as a historical moment for Libya. As regards relations with the Southern Caucasus and Central Asia, Turkey hosted the 11th Summit of the Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO) on 23 December 2010. Turkey holds the chairmanship of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) until June 2012. The protocols signed with Armenia in 2009 to normalise relations are still not ratified.
Turkey continued its efforts to enhance cooperation with and between Afghanistan and Pakistan. Turkey hosted the Fourth Regional Economic Cooperation Conference on Afghanistan (RECCA) on 3 November 2010 in Istanbul. Turkey furthermore provided substantial humanitarian assistance and funded several projects in the fields of health, education and training in Afghanistan.
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Turkey-Russia relations developed positively, with a number of high level visits.
As regards relations with the United States of America, Turkey and the US consulted regularly on regional developments. US-Turkish cooperation on security and counterterrorism remained firm, including in tripartite format with Iraq.
No particular development can be reported as regards restrictive measures apart from the issues described above.
Concerning the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, Turkey is party to all the existing international arrangements. Turkey hosted the second preparatory conference for a Global Counter Terrorism Forum in Istanbul in April 2011. Turkey has not aligned itself with the EU position on membership of the Wassenaar Arrangement on Export Controls for Conventional Arms and Dual-Use Goods and Technologies (for dual-use goods, see Chapter 30 – External relations).
With regard to cooperation with international organisations, Turkey did not sign the statute of the International Criminal Court. In April 2011, the EU reiterated its invitation to Turkey to do so as soon as possible. Turkey announced in May 2011 its ‘early’ candidacy for a non- permanent seat in the UN Security Council. Turkey supported the UNGA resolution on the participation of the EU in the work of the UN. Turkey has held the Secretariat General of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference since 2005 and has observer status in the African Union. Turkey held the rotating chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe between 10 November 2010 and 11 May 2011.
There have been no particular developments with regard to security measures (classified information).
As regards the common security and defence policy (CSDP), Turkey is continuing to contribute to the EU-led military mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina (EUFOR/Althea). Turkey is also contributing to EUPM, the EU-led police mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina and to the EU rule of law mission (EULEX) in Kosovo. The issue of EU-NATO cooperation that would involve all EU Member States beyond the ‘Berlin plus arrangements’ remains to be resolved.
Conclusion
Turkey made efforts to normalise relations with its neighbouring countries, such as Iraq, including the Kurdish regional government. No progress was made in the normalisation of ties with Armenia. Relations with Israel have further deteriorated since the Gaza Flotilla incident in 2010. Turkey strengthened relations with Russia. Turkey engaged more than previously in the provision of humanitarian aid, in particular to Libya, Pakistan and Afghanistan. The issue of EU-NATO cooperation that would involve all EU Member States beyond the ‘Berlin plus arrangements’ remains to be resolved. Turkey’s alignment with the EU’s common foreign and security policy has continued. However, overall Turkish alignment with CFSP declarations decreased during the reporting period, when compared to earlier such periods, and Turkey did not align with the EU restrictive measures on Iran, Libya or Syria. Turkey has not aligned itself with the EU position on membership of the Wassenaar Arrangement.
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