«We’ve to stay to the optimistic agenda, with a strategic imaginative and prescient with out tactical strikes” declares the previous president of Turkey in his unique interview with “Vima” Abdullah Gul, emphasizing that “the Athens Declaration of 2023 opened a brand new and dynamic chapter in our relationships and there’s an apparent political will on the a part of the leaders of either side to proceed their constructive dialogue”. Mr. Gul, who was in Athens to take part within the twenty eighth Economist convention, believes that “the result of the Cyprus settlement will probably be way more rewarding than we anticipate” and urges all sides “to not lose this strategic perspective ».
In the meanwhile, Greece and Turkey are in a means of optimistic rapprochement. How may they preserve this optimistic momentum and keep away from tensions?
“Regardless of the gloomy image in our area, the solar is shining by way of the course of Turkish-Greek relations. Turkish-Greek relations have reached the extent they deserve. Our shared geography is our future. Due to this fact, we must be clever sufficient to behave in response to this actuality. An method primarily based on goodwill, receptivity, belief and empathy at all times makes a distinction in the midst of {our relationships}. After I carried out this coverage in my earlier capacities, we achieved passable outcomes with my Greek counterparts. In an analogous vein, now, we must always stick with the optimistic agenda with strategic imaginative and prescient with out tactical strikes. The Athens Declaration of 2023 opened a brand new and dynamic chapter in our relationships and there’s an apparent political will on the a part of the leaders of either side to proceed their constructive dialogue. We should implement this ongoing optimistic agenda by all potential technique of cooperation. We should use the language of dialogue and keep away from any provocative rhetoric. We should assist one another’s pursuits on the worldwide stage. With the concrete steps that have to be taken, we are able to preserve this optimistic momentum and put it on the market.”
Particularly concerning the variations within the Aegean, how may they be addressed?
“The Aegean is our frequent treasure. It must be a supply of cooperation and friendship, not battle and disagreement. So as to resolve all excellent points within the Aegean, diplomacy and worldwide legislation should prevail over the logic of confrontation. Such efforts would pave the way in which for a simply, lasting, complete and sincere settlement of the Aegean points that may be acceptable to either side. We should respect one another’s authorized rights and important pursuits. Cultivating empathy and placing ourselves within the different particular person’s sneakers is of the utmost significance on this sense. On this regard, the freedoms of the excessive seas and the airspace above them shouldn’t be affected. Some other step taken must be primarily based on mutual consent in a good and sincere context. Such a constructive method will assist promote stability and prosperity in our area.”
Because the disaster within the Center East appears to be escalating and likewise given the warfare in Ukraine, how do you suppose stability may be ensured within the Jap Mediterranean?
“Our area goes by way of its most troublesome occasions. The disaster within the Center East and the warfare in Ukraine are harming safety, stability and prosperity within the Jap Mediterranean. This prevents present cooperation mechanisms from working. It prevents new partnerships from showing. Furthermore, these two crises are fueling the polarization of worldwide politics and damaging the formation of worldwide safety formations. An actual intersection is required to settle the 2 points. Dialogue channels should stay open. The events should act with one another with out hypocrisy. The worldwide rules-based order should be absolutely carried out. The foundation causes of those crises should be studied and everlasting options sought, not momentary ones. The robust Greek-Turkish relations will contribute to the seek for options for each problematic situation that negatively impacts the safety and stability of the Jap Mediterranean”.
Concerning the Cyprus situation, for which the UN is making a brand new mediation effort, how do you suppose we may see the beginning of a brand new dialogue geared toward a simply and sustainable resolution?
“The Cyprus situation, the start of which dates again to 1963, is a problem not just for the additional improvement of Turkish-Greek relations but additionally for the discharge of the true potential of the Jap Mediterranean. Sadly we missed many alternatives to unravel it. The Annan Plan of 2004, which I personally supported, was a missed alternative. The Turkish Cypriots voted in favor. This confirmed their good will for an answer on the island. Even when the Greek Cypriots voted in favor, the island may have joined the EU as an entire and we’d not have such a problem. The established order, which has continued for greater than half a century, can not final perpetually. There are two completely different nations on the island. That is the simple actuality. The inherent rights of the Turkish Cypriot folks should be affirmed. We should bear in mind the spirit of the treaties of 1960. The time period of workplace of the private envoy of the UN secretary-general is coming to an finish. I anticipate her to make an goal evaluation and precisely replicate the details on the bottom in her report. He’ll submit the report back to the secretary common. If the secretary-general sees a possibility to restart the negotiation, then I’ll personally welcome that call. But when the secretary-general sees no room for negotiation, then we must always respect that evaluation. At that stage we must always sit collectively to barter the parameters of the 2 states. The result of the Cyprus settlement will probably be way more rewarding than we anticipate. It can deliver prosperity and wealth to your complete Mediterranean area. We should not lose this strategic perspective”.
At the moment, Turkey seeks to advertise a optimistic agenda with the EU. How may the EU and Turkey change into nearer?
“I’m very happy to see a optimistic agenda in Turkey-EU relations. Within the context of my earlier duties, I underlined the significance of fulfilling the Copenhagen situations and the Maastricht standards, in addition to adapting your complete EU acquis for Turkey. These standards have a construction to make any nation extra politically and economically resilient. Due to this fact, fulfilling them has a deeper that means than whether or not or to not change into a member. It is about elevating requirements. The present management in Turkey is keen to push ahead the optimistic agenda with the EU and revitalize the accession course of. I absolutely assist that this method is acknowledged and supported by the EU. Either side should take the mandatory steps to show this optimistic agenda right into a strong roadmap.”
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