Turkey turns east as Europe clings to past

Commentary feature. Turkey’s political classes have run short of patience with the EU's prevarication on the issue of EU membership for Turkey. They are not interested in the 'privileged partnership' offered as a substitute for EU membership. The government of Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the Prime Minister, has decided to look eastwards.

Turkey would continue to pursue its European vocation. But it has no intention of behaving as a helpless supplicant. Turkey is instead assuming a role commensurate with its status as a fast-rising power at the strategic crossroads of east and west.

The writer is critical of Europe '... on every challenge – from energy, from terrorism, drugs and migration to trade and investment – Europe has an immutable interest in nurturing a democratic, west-facing Turkey. Its security is the west’s security. But Mr Sarkozy and his like want nothing more than to hold on to the past. Turkey speaks to the world as it is becoming'.

Website: Center for Strategic Communication http://www.stratim.org.tr/en/

ESO: Background information: Turkey sees growing reservations over EU bid http://www.europeansources.info/record/turkey-sees-growing-reservations-over-eu-bid/

ESO: Background information: Foreign relations: Ankara builds a role as regional peacemaker http://www.europeansources.info/record/foreign-relations-ankara-builds-a-role-as-regional-peacemaker/

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