A founding element of the new Turkey created in 1923 was adhering to the West, the effort to associate with the European narrative. The Turkey of the 21st century is changing rapidly and radically. Nationalism is resurgent. And this nationalism is now accompanied by strong revisionism, a neo-Ottoman, fervent Islamism, and a clear divergence from Western values, including Democracy, human rights and respect for the rule of law.
Turkey is conducting military operations in foreign territories, occupying parts of neighbouring states, threatening war, disputing the sovereignty and sovereign rights of European countries, transporting Jihadists, meddling in the internal affairs of other countries by supporting extremist movements, instrumentalising the migration crisis, and violating human rights domestically. It is trying to create a sphere of influence in the wider region; to create a new Turkish Yalta.
Turkey has become not just a difficult neighbour and recalcitrant partner for Europe, but also a clear threat to the stability of Europe, the wider Eastern Mediterranean region and, in general, the Arab world and the Caucasus. It openly undermines the cohesion of Western Organizations of which it is formally still a member, such as NATO.
The great challenge we are facing today is that, contrary to the views expressed from time to time, this threat will not magically disappear if and when there are changes in the Turkish political system. The fact is, if this threat is not handled firmly, it will continue to grow.
Europe is facing Turkish Revisionism and is called upon to take important decisions. This past October, the European Council left open a window of opportunity for Turkey to comply with international law and stop its pattern of repeatedly illegal behaviour. Turkey did exactly the opposite. Now, through gestures of supposed good will, it is trying to fool Europe. But the European Union is not naive. In a few days, the European Council will convene to take important decisions on Turkey. It goes without saying that there is no longer any room for a positive agenda. To the contrary, decisions need to be taken that make it clear that Turkey cannot continue to behave in this way without consequences. Turkey cannot be allowed to employ 19th century practices in the 21st century. These decisions will not be a message from Greece. They will be a message from Europe.
And these decisions will be in Turkey’s long-term interest, because they will enable the country to discern, through the clouds of neo-Ottoman splendour, its true limits. If Turkey’s withdrawal from the path of European values is not clearly condemned, those elements within Turkish society that favour modernisation and rapprochement with Europe will be weakened in the domestic debate.
Greece’s stance derives not from a desire to see Turkey punished, but from the need to defend sovereignty and sovereign rights, as the Mitsotakis government has made clear in every direction. We want consistent and long-term good neighbourly relations with Turkey, based on full respect for international law and perhaps, if Turkey so desires, a European perspective. We are always open to constructive dialogue on this basis. Turkey must demonstrate, in practice, that it supports the idea of this dialogue. However, this choice on Turkey’s part must have continuity and not just be a flag of convenience.
December 5, 2020