Suat KINIKLIOGLU, AK Party Deputy Chairman of External Affairs was the guest of Channel A's program “Cross Border”.  KINIKLIOGLU evaluated the 2008 foreign policy developments on the program, aired on the 25th of December 2008 at Channel A's Ankara studios.

KINIKOGLU, who has called attention to Turkey’s position in the multipolar era that began with the collapse of the bipolar system and the importance of the increasing economic and political relations with neighboring countries stated that “We have defined Turkey’s near abroad policy since we came to power. Today Turkey’s relations with all of its neighbors have been deepened instead of its problematic relations during the Cold War years. Turkish export to 11 neighboring countries rose from $ 2.7 billion in 2000 to $ 21 billion in 2007. Not only economic relations but also political relations have been deepened with the increased political dialogues with all the countries of this region like Russian Federation, Syria, Iraq and Iran. Turkey has entered a reintegration process with its near abroad during the last 5 years and Turkey has been successfully transformed  into a state which inspires confidence, promotes dialogues on international problems such as Israel-Syria negotiations, new constitutional order in Lebanon, Iran nuclear issue. Turkey’s initiative-taking role in the regional crisis became apparent in the Russia-Georgia crisis.

The most important developments of 2008 are the Turkey’s  election as a non-permanent member of the U.N. Security Council  for 2009-2010 period by a considerable majority (151out the 192 member states) after 47 years of interval and G-20 Summit which was held on November with the participation of our Prime Minister. Turkey at the center of decision-making mechanism by both its membership of U.N. Security Council and G-20 is in the position to have a say and make decisions in the solution of the problems.

KINIKLIOGLU who also evaluated the Turkey-US relations during Obama term, said that “Barack Obama’s election as the President of the United States presented an important opportunity to repair our relationship with US which have been badly damaged during the past eight years. However, it also includes risks. Especially the Armenian issue is a factor which overshadows the relations and a resolution on the Armenian Genocide recognition can be introduced in the U.S. Congress on February or March. In this respect the first 3-5 months are crucial period for us.

Regarding Turkey’s EU membership process which was also discussed in the programme, KINIKLIOGLU noted that Most of the negotiation chapters are the subjects that Turkey must perform to reach a modern democracy and welfare state. A political decision will concretize Turkey’s entry into the EU. We need a rational EU discussion in Turkey to re-create the EU excitement.”