The public decree came forth in the Middle East for the first time with the insurrections in Tunisia, Egypt and other countries in the region. What are expected to happen in the region? Can the democratisation process in the Arab world bring about a cooperation (political or economic) between Turkey and Arab world? Can the common Ottoman heritage play a affirmative role in this process? These were the question handled at the seminar.
Prof. Özay Mehmet began his presentation talking about the books to be read in this context. He stated the current insurrection in the Arab World neither resemble the Iranian Revolution in 1979 nor the Fall of Berlin Wall in 1989.
The concept of "Neo-Ottomanism" was discussed and Prof. Mehmet emphasizing that this concept is a universal concept and we are all heirs of Ottoman, stated that people living in Palestine or Egypt under the jurisdiction of Ottoman Empire have not forgotten Ottomans yet.
Prof. Mehmet stating “I see the Arab world quite close to Turkey" claimed that the insurrection begun in Tunisia and gone on in Egypt and spread to other Arab countries bring about a repproachment between the Arab countries and Turkey.
Mehmet also focused on the concept of "orientalism" stating that the Western World misunderstood or draw a wrong portrait for Arab World. He stated that the Islamic World was splintered following the collapse of Ottoman Empire but it should be integrated again and went on saying : "If we have peace this will not be based on the clash of civilizations as Huntington claimed. However, there are Western Historians claiming that the Islamic Army will reach Paris by 2050"
Prof Özay Mehmet described his expectations in the Turkish Arap relations as a result of these insurrection as follows:
- the public will for democracy will open new horizon for Arap World.
- a intense political and economic cooperation with Turkey
- a reproachment within the frame of Neo-Ottomanism (based on common heritage and culture) and parallely on mutual equality instead of EU