There has been criticism from some that Turkey is moving away from the West, given its recent foreign policy moves, but NATO Secretary-General Anders F. Rasmussen does not share that concern.
Rasmussen, who shared his opinions on various issues in an interview with Today's Zaman, said he was not concerned about Turkish foreign policy changing direction, adding that he believed Turkey can and should play an important role as a bridge between Central Asia and the Middle East and Europe and North America. “I think Turkey for geographical and political reasons can and will play an instrumental role; having said that, I also hope to see progress in the Turkish relationship with the EU. I would urge EU member states to make progress in the Turkish relationship with the European Common Security and Defense Policy and in particular concerning the European Defence Agency. It is a strong wish from the Turkish side,” Rasmussen said, expressing his opinion that Turkey is a valuable contributor to a number of operations and missions.
Rasmussen also expressed the view that he thinks Turkey can play an instrumental role and contribute to a peace process in Afghanistan, owing to its good relationship with neighboring Pakistan. “Having said that I also think it is essential that the reconciliation and reintegration process should be led by the Afghan government. It has to be an Afghan-led process. We can, of course, assist that but the Afghan government must be in the driver’s seat. Those individuals and groups involved in the reconciliation and reintegration process should respect the Afghan Constitution, Afghan democracy, the rule of law and human rights.”
He also commented on his dialogue with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who canceled a joint press conference with Rasmussen -- then prime minister of Denmark -- in 2005 because Danish authorities insisted that a journalist from a television station linked with the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) be allowed to attend the conference. “I have the very best impression. We are always very frank and very open with each other during our conversations ... So I can tell you that our relationship is the very best,” Rasmussen said.
He also briefly commented on the ongoing investigation into alleged coup d’état plots by some army generals in Turkey. “Obviously, it is a matter of great interest. But I am not going to interfere in internal and domestic Turkish discussions and politics. I think the relationship between the military and the political system in Turkey has developed and improved during recent years. We have seen positive developments recently. Within the context of NATO we have the very best relations with Turkey at the political and military level,” he said.
Rasmussen also responded to Today’s Zaman’s questions on the cartoon crisis in Denmark five years ago. In response to a question on whether he would have changed any of his actions if the clock could be turned back, he said the cartoon crisis was a matter of the past and noted that he greatly valued relationships with Muslim countries and was working to develop these. “I give a high priority to the further development of NATO’s partnerships with a number of Muslim countries. We have two partnerships, one with the Gulf states and the Mediterranean Dialogue, which also includes Israel. I made it clear that I would give priority to developing these partnerships further and right after my press conference, I invited ambassadors from all countries in these partnerships to discuss with them how we could possibly take further steps bilaterally. I have met all the ambassadors; I had the opportunity to meet with some of the political leaders. So these partnerships are developing and will further develop in the coming years. I will meet with the secretary-general of the OIC [Organization of the Islamic Conference] in İstanbul. I have taken a number of steps myself, and this outreach has been received positively,” Rasmussen said.
In response to a question on whether he still believes depicting the Prophet Muhammad as a terrorist falls within the principle of freedom of expression, the Danish politician replied: “I have made my position on that issue quite clear. There are two core principles that are of utmost importance. The first is freedom of expression. I think it is essential in every democracy. Without freedom of expression, you do not have democracy. Another core principle is freedom of religion, freedom to exercise your religion, and in that context, I would also say and stress I have the deepest respect for people’s personal religious feelings and their belief.”
05 February 2010, Friday
SELÇUK GÜLTAŞLI BRUSSELS
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