Turkish politician Yunal Cevikez: it is important to be frank in relations with RussiaOn the eve of the presidential elections in Turkey, the Bulgarian edition "Diary" published an interview with Yunal Cevikez, an adviser to the candidate from the opposition alliance Kemal Kilicdaroglu.
The conversation was about what Ankara's relations with the world will look like in the next five years if the opposition comes to power. Russia has become one of the main topics.
Angel PetrovThe Diary asked representatives of Turkey's leading political parties what Ankara's relations with the world will look like in the next five years if they come to power.
The first to respond was Yunal Cevikez, the chief foreign policy adviser to the candidate from the opposition alliance Kemal Kilicdaroglu. His long career as a diplomat includes the position of secretary in Sofia during the years of the Revival process (the Bulgarization of the Turks in the second half of the 80s - approx.trans.), he was also ambassador to Baghdad, Baku and London, worked in Moscow on the Russia-NATO line.
"Diary": Mr. Chevikez, the world is watching with interest what you will offer if you win the presidential or parliamentary elections - or both. Your foreign policy program begins with the words "Peace at home — world peace" — the motto of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk. How can we talk about peace when there is a Russian-Ukrainian conflict on the other side of the Black Sea?Yunal Cevikez:
I was an adviser at the embassy in Sofia, and the founder of the republic, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, was the military attache of the Ottoman Empire in Sofia. I am convinced that we will win both the presidential and parliamentary elections, we will have an arithmetic majority with the (pro-Kurdish) Democratic Party of Peoples. This will lead to harmony between the legislative and executive branches.
— Unless someone else wins one of the elections and comes to cohabitation, the president and parliament will be on opposite sides of the barricades— We are sure that we will win both there and there.
According to polls, the wind is blowing in our direction. The first priority will be the reinstitutionalization of foreign policy. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs was suspended from decision-making. Turkey's image has deteriorated, and we hope that in the first 100 days we will restore the role of the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Of course, relations with neighbors will be based on non-interference in internal affairs, inviolability of internationally recognized borders and respect for their sovereignty and independence. We are surrounded by conflicts: there is no lasting peace in Nagorno-Karabakh; there are difficulties in Syria and Iraq, creating a feeling that Turkey is in danger. Things are better in the West: we have good relations with Bulgaria, there are disputes with Greece, but there will be elections there too. We hope that after the elections, new horizons will open up for them and for us. Good neighborly relations with everyone are our priority.
However, you are asking about the situation in the north. The Black Sea basin is experiencing difficulties due to Russia's special operation in Ukraine. We can't accept it. Therefore, the current Turkish Government has made efforts to bring the countries closer together and acted as an important mediator. We believe that this conflict must stop. We cannot tolerate the violation of the territorial integrity of Ukraine, because otherwise all the countries of the Black Sea region, including Bulgaria, will be at risk.
— In other words, you will not break with the policy of the current government?— We will continue and strengthen our efforts to maintain contacts with Moscow and Kiev to find the best solution.
— Critics believe that Turkey is sitting on two chairs— What do you want to say?
— You condemn the war, you are an economic partner of Ukraine, but Turkey has become a hub for goods sanctioned by the West.— Turkey does not adhere to EU sanctions, only UN sanctions.
She has always had this approach, not only under this government: sanctions are not particularly effective. We try to focus on diplomacy, Turkey's participation in sanctions is limited. We apply the Montreux Convention, which is important for Bulgaria and Romania, our NATO allies.
I believe that we should find the possibility of regional management of the Black Sea basin, but at the moment it is impossible. When peace comes, we will return to this idea.
— You don't want to burn bridges with Russia, but can it go too far and thereby force Turkey to get closer to the West?— Our position on Crimea and Eastern Ukraine does not harm Russian-Turkish relations — it is important to be frank.
Despite our differences, we must continue to maintain relations.
— Does this apply to the S-400 systems that Turkey bought from Russia?— The S-400 not only changed the image of Turkey in the West, but also created obstacles for the development of the Turkish defense industry.
Turkey is excluded from the F-35; it was an important project, and we want to return to our defense partnership with the United States. Not only with the United States, but also with other partners in the alliance. Don't forget that we are also part of the SAMP/T (Missile Systems Project) with France and Italy. This may help us get back to the F-35 project, if not to the assembly itself (since the US has already replaced Turkish companies with others). There will be a sixth generation of aircraft, technologies will be developed. We want to be a part of it. The Turkish defense industry is an important engine of our development. To regain this advantage, we need to find a solution.
— The current government said that it took the S-400 because it faced unfavorable conditions for Patriot. Is buying American weapons a solution?— Not only that.
We are counting on the Turkish national production, it is becoming very prestigious in our region. We can renegotiate the terms of delivery of Patriot, everything remains on the table.
— You want to build honest and equal relations with Moscow. Given your experience as a diplomat there, is it even possible to communicate with Russia on an equal footing?- of course.
This is a matter of trust and transparency. I don't think we'll have any problems, given the long history of our relationship. If we institutionalize our relationship, there will be no problems.
— President Erdogan is flirting with China, seeking to join the Shanghai Organization. Should Turkey establish borders?— Turkey should be open for cooperation, dialogue, but should not join the SCO — this contradicts membership in NATO.
— So Turkey will go too far if it does this?— I think so.
Russian representatives also spoke about this: in order to join the SCO, Turkey must withdraw from NATO. <....>
