Getting in superpower sync
Güncelleme Tarihi:
by Serkan Demirtaş
Oluşturulma Tarihi: Aralık 27, 2008 00:00
ANKARA - The five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council consulted with Turkey last week over its two-year membership on the council, in an effort to align the newcomer’s position with the international community.
"We are consulting with Turkey as we think its representation in the Security Council after nearly 50 years is a very important development," a diplomat from one of permanent countries told the Hürriyet Daily News & Economic Review. The five permanent members of the Security Council are the United States, Britain, France, Russia and China.
As a result of a long campaign, Turkey received the support of 151 countries and was elected to one of the non-permanent seats of the Security Council to represent the continent of Europe with Austria for a two-year period. Turkey’s term will begin Jan. 1. Two weeks before Turkey takes its seat, the top diplomats from the permanent countries met with their Turkish counterparts in Ankara to review the council’s important dossiers. Many consider Turkey’s election important as it is trying to expand its regional role, especially with its recent efforts to mediate between Syria and Israel, Pakistan and Afghanistan, and efforts to increase its participation in UN-led military operations.
Turkey will be in the European group of the Security Council with France, Britain and Austria.
"Turkey has ratified 85.5 percent of the EU’s statements on Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) matters, which are also represented in the Security Council," the diplomat said.
According to the EU’s annual progress report, Turkey accepted 109 declarations of the EU, out of 124. "Turkey did not follow the EU position expressed in statements concerning Iran (one case on freedom of expression), Russia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, China, Sudan, Belarus and Mauritania," the report read.
The EU expects more alignment from Turkey, particularly on issues of human right situations and of common foreign policy.
Foreign Minister issues statement over Sudan
A few days after the consultation meeting with the permanent five and a visit by the special representative of the Secretary General for Sudan to Ankara, Ashraf Qazi, the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a written statement on Sudan calling on all involved parties to approach with caution the situations that may harm the general atmosphere of confidence.
"Turkey is convinced of the importance of abiding to the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, which constitutes a significant framework for peace and stability in Sudan," the statement said.
Turkey was targeted by international human rights organizations when it invited Omar Bashir, the president of Sudan who had been accused of genocide in Darfur by the West, to Ankara.
President Abdullah Gül’s meeting with Robert Mugabe, the president of Zimbabwe was also a subject of criticism due to the latter’s flagrant disrespect of human rights and democratic principles.
Turkey foreign policy not to be affected by seat
"No one is asking Turkey to change its foreign policy," another foreign diplomat told the Daily News, recalling a statement by Foreign Minister Ali Babacan, who declared the country’s foreign policy would not be affected by Turkey’s non-permanent membership to the Security Council.
"But what we seek is more alignment from Turkey on such issues," the diplomat said.
One of the main criticisms of the Turkish Foreign Ministry is its attitude of remaining neutral on key issues, considering its position to keep the balance in perilous situations. "The UN Security Council is not the place where you can always abstain," the diplomat added.
As a result of a long campaign, Turkey received the support of 151 countries and was elected to one of the non-permanent seats of the Security Council to represent the continent of Europe with Austria for a two-year period. Turkey’s term will begin Jan. 1. Two weeks before Turkey takes its seat, the top diplomats from the permanent countries met with their Turkish counterparts in Ankara to review the council’s important dossiers. Many consider Turkey’s election important as it is trying to expand its regional role, especially with its recent efforts to mediate between Syria and Israel, Pakistan and Afghanistan, and efforts to increase its participation in UN-led military operations.
Turkey will be in the European group of the Security Council with France, Britain and Austria.
"Turkey has ratified 85.5 percent of the EU’s statements on Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) matters, which are also represented in the Security Council," the diplomat said.
According to the EU’s annual progress report, Turkey accepted 109 declarations of the EU, out of 124. "Turkey did not follow the EU position expressed in statements concerning Iran (one case on freedom of expression), Russia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, China, Sudan, Belarus and Mauritania," the report read.
The EU expects more alignment from Turkey, particularly on issues of human right situations and of common foreign policy.
Foreign Minister issues statement over Sudan
A few days after the consultation meeting with the permanent five and a visit by the special representative of the Secretary General for Sudan to Ankara, Ashraf Qazi, the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a written statement on Sudan calling on all involved parties to approach with caution the situations that may harm the general atmosphere of confidence.
"Turkey is convinced of the importance of abiding to the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, which constitutes a significant framework for peace and stability in Sudan," the statement said.
Turkey was targeted by international human rights organizations when it invited Omar Bashir, the president of Sudan who had been accused of genocide in Darfur by the West, to Ankara.
President Abdullah Gül’s meeting with Robert Mugabe, the president of Zimbabwe was also a subject of criticism due to the latter’s flagrant disrespect of human rights and democratic principles.
Turkey foreign policy not to be affected by seat
"No one is asking Turkey to change its foreign policy," another foreign diplomat told the Daily News, recalling a statement by Foreign Minister Ali Babacan, who declared the country’s foreign policy would not be affected by Turkey’s non-permanent membership to the Security Council.
"But what we seek is more alignment from Turkey on such issues," the diplomat said.
One of the main criticisms of the Turkish Foreign Ministry is its attitude of remaining neutral on key issues, considering its position to keep the balance in perilous situations. "The UN Security Council is not the place where you can always abstain," the diplomat added.