"Recent Developments in Egypt" Assessed at the Diplomat School

In its third week, Diplomat School 5 discussed many topics along with the regional developments dominating the agenda, ranging from the political turmoil in Egypt and Russia's global relations to the importance of the Middle East in Turkish Foreign Policy and the impact of the German General Elections on Türkiye-EU relations.

The first session of the third week was given by SETA Chair Taha Özhan under the title "Recent Developments in Egypt." Özhan first stated that we had not talked about Egypt for a long time and that Egypt is a very new topic in Türkiye. After referring to the recent developments and coup attempts in Egypt, he strongly emphasized that the Egyptian people were being governed for the first time by a government they had elected themselves. It was stated that although Egypt perceives Türkiye as a role model, Türkiye remained indifferent to the developments in Egypt and the Turkish press did not adequately report what was happening. After briefly referring to the main causes of the events in Egypt and the country's governing structure, the importance of the financial aid Türkiye provided to Egypt during the Morsi government and the period of chaos was stated. It was emphasized that this aid was positive for Egypt-Türkiye relations.

Accompanying us in the second session on "Post-Cold War Russian Foreign Policy and Turkish-Russian Relations," Koç University faculty member Assist. Prof. Dr. Şener Aktürk first referred to the two main currents followed in the post-Soviet period, the Atlanticist current and the Eurasianist current, and then discussed the periods in which post-Soviet Russia tried to position itself. In addition to the arrangement of relations with the Eastern bloc during these periods, relations with the Western World, especially the United States, which varied according to the terms of heads of state, were addressed. Russia, called a historical enemy, is no longer perceived as a direct threat because it no longer shares a border with Türkiye, and relations normalized especially because it displayed a pro-Türkiye stance in the capture of Öcalan. Toward the end of the session, the current importance of Türkiye, which serves as a bridge between the Mediterranean, the Middle East, the Balkans and Europe, for Russian foreign policy was underlined.

In the third session, with Retired Ambassador and İstanbul Member of Parliament Osman Korutürk as speaker, "New orientations of Turkish Foreign Policy and the new situation in the Middle East" were addressed. Turkish foreign policy has gradually moved away from its old line and entered into new pursuits. While it was stated that Türkiye is now a playmaker in the world and is gradually becoming a global power, it was noted that this particularly affects its relations with Middle Eastern states. Particularly underlining that Türkiye has no territorial claims in this region, Korutürk emphasized that Türkiye, as a role model country reconciling democracy and religion, has a complex relationship with Middle Eastern states, and that especially during the Arab Spring it stood by peoples demanding more democracy, rights and freedoms. It was stated that for all these reasons, Türkiye, which has significant oil- and trade-based exchanges with Middle Eastern states, is greatly affected by periodic global crises.

In the fourth session, which can be considered a continuation of the previous one, "The Middle East and Turkish Foreign Policy" was discussed with Yeditepe University faculty member and Caspian Strategy Institute Center for Foreign Policy and Security expert Prof. Dr. Mesut Hakkı Caşın. First stating that events in the Middle East have a very broad and deep-rooted global history, Caşın briefly assessed this history in terms of relations between the Middle East, Europe, America and Türkiye. Events in the Middle East were examined not only in terms of interstate problems but also in terms of ethnic and cultural problems. It was emphasized that especially after historical turning points such as the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars and the 9/11 attacks, the balance changed considerably as the United States claimed the "right of defense" for itself, and that with each war, America settled in the region and gained the power to control the Middle East. Stating that Türkiye is becoming an increasingly important power, Caşın raised the question "Are powers shifting in the Middle East?" after the Cold War. He underlined that China and India are cooperating as states in need of energy.

In the final session, the EU, the cornerstone of our relations with the West, was addressed on the basis of Germany. Ozan Ceyhun, 4th- and 5th-term Member of the European Parliament, informed us on the subject under the title "The European Union and Relations with Türkiye after the German General Elections and before the 25 May 2014 European Parliament Elections." Emphasizing Germany's influence on relations with the European Union, Ceyhun stated that this country is both a friend and an opponent for Türkiye on its EU path. He first stated that the formation of a coalition government after the elections in Germany created a situation in Türkiye's favor. After noting that Merkel pursued anti-Türkiye policies together with Sarkozy, it was stated that being left alone after Sarkozy led Merkel to change her policy toward Türkiye, and then, being forced to form a coalition with the Social Democrats, concessions were made to Türkiye. Saying that the regions are the most valued matter in the European Union, comments were made that the opening of Chapter 22, "Regional Policy and Coordination of Structural Instruments," is very positive in this respect, and the impact of Cyprus on relations with the EU was emphasized.