OPINION
Tuesday 06th of January 2009 01:17:41 PM  GMT+2 
 

 

We should thank Gul and Erdogan on Saudi policy

It is very sad how the prime minister and the president are being criticized for establish warm relations with the Saudi King. They simply do not understand how such relations enhance Turkey's influential role in the Middle East.


Ilnur Cevik
16 November 2007

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ilnurcevik@yahoo.com

We have witnessed with great surprise the storm created last week over the visit of Saudi King Abdullah.

The Turkish newspapers were up in arms first objecting to the highest state medal awarded to the King. Then they created furor over the visit of Gul and Erdogan to King Abdullah at his hotel. They said the two had violated the norms of protocol and had belittled Turkey's image.

Several so-called prominent columnists lambasted Gul and Erdogan.

No one really bothered to look into the real political issues involved and the great service Erdogan and Gul were actually performing for this country.

This is a great shame.

It is time we really understood how international politics works and how nations are putting aside formalities, ceremonies and protocol to forge closer relations at the highest level.

These are the times when a state leader jumps on his plane and travels in short notice to a neighboring state to have lunch with his counterpart where they solve problems or reach new deals.

This is how many European Union leaders conduct their affairs.

Turkey has forged excellent ties with the Syrians, the Iranians and now with Saudi Arabia. Turkey has similar excellent ties with Palestine and Israel thanks to this kind of diplomacy.

The wonderful picture where the Palestinian and Israeli presidents addressed the Turkish parliament and how they witnessed the signing of the industrial zone project for the West Bank has left many ambassadors here green with envy.

These are the results of the successful diplomacy conducted by Erdogan and Gul in the past five years. The fact that Gul is now the president and Erdogan the prime minister has created an excellent duo which Turkey should exploit to the full.

Instead our colleagues who really do not understand international politics are criticizing them.

The visit of Gul and rdogan to King Abdullah may have incredible dividends in the future. Turkey is attacking great importance to the funds from Qatar, UAE and other Gulf countries. People seem to forget that the Saudis are the big brothers of all these countries and thus forging warm ties with the Saudi monarch is essential.

Turks have to appreciate that a strong and influential Turkey in the Middle East will put its mark in the Europe and enhance our chances of getting into the EU…

All Artices of Ilnur Cevik



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