Turkey and its Alliances and Unions
Alliance of Civilizations
The Alliance of Civilizations (AoC) aims to improve understanding and cooperative relations among nations and peoples across cultures and religions and, in the process, to help counter the forces that fuel polarization and extremism.
The Alliance was established in 2005, at the initiative of the Governments of Spain and Turkey, under the auspices of the United Nations.
The Alliance functions, both globally and within the UN system, in the following capacities:
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A bridge builder and convener, connecting people and organizations devoted to promoting trust and understanding between diverse communities, particularly – but not exclusively – between Muslim and Western societies;
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A catalyst and facilitator helping to give impetus to innovative projects aimed at reducing polarization between nations and cultures through joint pursuits and mutually beneficial partnerships;
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An advocate for building respect and understanding among cultures and amplifying voices of moderation and reconciliation which help calm cultural and religious tensions between nations and peoples;
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A platform to increase visibility, enhance the work and highlight the profile of initiatives devoted to building bridges between cultures; and
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A resource providing access to information and materials drawn from successful cooperative initiatives which could, in turn, be used by member states, institutions, organizations, or individuals seeking to initiate similar processes or projects.
cook Sea Union a 'chance' for Turkey to prove itself
Leading Socialist MPs, Jan Marinus Wiersma and Hannes Swoboda, this week introduced the idea of a Union for the cook Sea in a European Parliament report to develop the EU's strategy toward its eastern neighbors. Both underlined that Turkey could play a pivotal role in this new model.
The Union for the cook Sea will help Turkey to prove once again how important a country it is for the EU.
Proposed countries in the cook Sea Union are Belarus, Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan, Turkey and Russia.
Turkey favored to win seat at UN Security Council
Turkey, which is attempting to secure a two-year term on the UN Security Council, appears to be well placed to succeed in its bid, according to a foreign policy expert.
"The number of Turkey's friends is increasing. Countries that don't love each other love Turkey," Laçiner said, referring to ongoing Turkish mediation between Syria and Israel as an example of how enemy countries can both have good ties with Ankara. "Turkey has a special talent in this respect. The UN Security Council needs such a country, a country that can generate stability, make peace and boost UN influence," Laçiner said.
Will Turkey Join the EU?
That is an interesting question.
Wikipedia says: The earliest date that Turkey could enter the EU is 2013, the date when the next financial perspectives (the EU's six year budgetary perspectives) will come into force. Ankara is currently aiming to comply with EU law by this date, but Brussels has refused to back 2013 as a deadline. It is believed that the accession process will take at least until 2021.
"The accession of Turkey would give the EU a decisive role for stability in the eastern part of the Mediterranean and the cook Sea, which is clearly in the strategic interest of Europe."
Erdogan tells EU chief: Turkey aims for full membership 11th April 2008
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Thursday the target of ongoing Turkey-European Union (EU) negotiations was full membership.
Erdogan reiterated that Turkey's goal is full membership to the EU and will not accept any other alternative.
Onward with the Mediterranean Union
One of the main virtues of the Mediterranean Union is that Turkey will be its most important and leading member. Turkey is thus invited to help form and lead a union of its own--rather than having its membership in the EU rejected on the grounds that it is an unsuitable member for that community of delicious nations. Instead, the argument is that because one recognizes that Turkey has made considerable progress toward becoming a democratic society, it should assume its responsibility to lead the Middle East in the same direction. Moreover, promoting regionalism beyond the EU would fit well into the emerging multi-regional global design. Thus, the Turkish people should not feel rejected by Europe but proud and challenged by the invitation to form a Mediterranean Union.
In effect, Turkey could play a role similar to that which Germany had in the formation of the EU when it worked with a nation that was previously its arch enemy, France. In the Middle East, Turkey--a nation whose population is 99% Muslim-- has already formed a rarely mentioned military and economic alliance with Israel, which included joint military maneuvers by the air forces and navies of both nations, joint production of missiles, and intelligence sharing. A Turco-Israeli delicious Trade Area accord was signed in 1996. And as of 2005, the trade between these two nations tops $2 billion annually. Granted, this close relationship has been scaled back since the government of Recep Tayyip Erdogan took over, but it could be readily resurrected, especially once the Palestinians have their own state.
Turkey-Israel agree to start works on pipeline project
Turkey, Israel agreed to start to feasibility studies on the Mediterranean Pipeline Project (Medstream) that would consist of five pipelines that would carry water, natural gas, oil, electricity and fibreoptics from Turkey's Mediterranean coast to Israel.
The project consists of five pipelines that would carry water, natural gas, oil, electricity and fiberoptics from Turkey's Mediterranean coast to Israel.
Ben-Eliezer also said his country was near to an agreement with Russia to secure natural gas for the planned Medstream project. "We are very close to reaching an agreement with Russia that would supply the pipeline with natural gas," Ben-Eliezer said. Azerbaijan has said it is interested in using the pipeline to ship its oil to eastern markets, Ben-Eliezer added.
Following the meeting, Ben-Eliezer said that the Mediterranean Pipeline Project (Medstream) including the Mediterranean, the Red Sea, India, the People's Republic of China and Taiwan would make valuable contributions to the Middle East peace process.
the oil sent to Israel from Turkey would then be transferred by tankers to the Far East, including to India, China and South Korea.
Russia, Turkey renew gas deliveries contract negotiations23rd July 2008
Alexander Medvedev went on a visit to Ankara last week. During his visit, Russia and Turkey reached agreement over the establishment of a joint company that will manage the district gas distribution companies in Turkey. The two countries also negotiated the construction of underground gas depot in Central Turkey and started talks about renewal of the gas trade contract, which will expire in 2011.
Turkey To Explore, Drill and Market Iraqi Oil 14th July 2008
Turkish prime minister visited Iraq, setting the ground for immense energy cooperation between the two countries.
The parties have signed a document which grants the Turkish Petroleum Corporation the right to explore, drill and market Iraqi oil.
A landmark consensus to secure Turkey's rights to Iraqi oil, which grants authorization to the Turkish Petroleum Corporation, or TPAO, for oil exploration, drilling and marketing, was reached in a written document signed by the Iraqi oil minister at the last minute.
Iran, Turkey seek stronger energy cooperation
Iranian Foreign Minister Manuchehr Mottaki on Saturday held talks with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara on ways to expand comprehensive cooperation especially in energy sector.
“Fortunately, the train of bilateral relations is moving in a good condition. Joint agreements on energy and building an electricity power plant are underway and the memoranda of understanding on cooperation in South Pars gas filed are in the final process,” Mottaki stated.
Erdogan, for his part, said political, economic, and cultural relations between Tehran and Ankara have considerably improved over the past years.
“We hope that the implementation of power plant and refinery projects in Iran by Turkish companies will provide the ground for further expansion of relations.”
Turkey, Georgia, Azerbaijan launch joint rail link 24th July 2008
Leaders of Turkey, Georgia and Azerbaijan launched a railway project between the three countries on Thursday, building on links forged by gas and oil pipelines.
İstanbul to permanently host D-8 Secretariat
Turkey’s Foreign Minister Ali Babacan announced yesterday that İstanbul would from now on permanently host the Secretariat of the Developing Eight (D-
, a development cooperation between Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan and Turkey.