It is inevitable that even if we interpret the zero-problem policy, uttered in foreign relations as an effort on resetting the problems between the parties, it is not possible to actualize just by our unilateral opening, but possible by the same solicitude and devotion of the other party. Otherwise it will be us who make concessions to reset the problems. No independent country can accept such a unilateral concession in foreign relations formed as basis by bilateral interests in practice and based on national interests. 

 

Recently the developments we witness and the common discourses are qualified to prove that  winds of change in practice and in principles followed in foreign policy are began to blow.

 

The statement “Deadlock is not a formula.” began to be uttered since 2003 regarding a solution to the Cyprus Problem dating back to 1950s. We observe that currently the discourses like “scratch and win” are improved and replaced the slogans such as “integration,” “zero-problem in foreign policy,” and “opening.” When all these conspicuous discourses are considered in the context of internal policy they may sound good and may be perceived as a magical formula by people. However, when it is considered in terms of foreign policy based on national interest and permanency in principle despite the internal policy that is familiar to different approaches put forward, it is highly probable that such lunges having no applicability in practice can further confuse the problems in bilateral, regional and multilateral relations of our country and cause other serious problems rather than resetting them. When we check on the history of last century, it is nearly impossible, except from some probable exceptional states, to find a sample proving to reset the problems completely emerged in different times and in different countries until today. In fact, it will be an exaggerated judgment to say that the problems have been already reset even in the relations between U.S.-Canada, U.S.-Israel and U.S.-England that we defined as “Strategic Partners” today. 

 

It is inevitable that even if we interpret the zero-problem policy, uttered in foreign relations as an effort on resetting the problems between the parties, it is not possible to actualize it just by our unilateral opening, but possible by the same solicitude and devotion of the other party. Otherwise it will be us who make concessions to reset the problems. No independent country can accept such a unilateral concession in foreign relations formed as basis by bilateral interests in practice and based on national interests. 

 

When the new discourses and the implementations that we have not heard till the last years, and the openings started to put into practice are considered in terms of problems in bilateral and regional from multilateral relations, it is obviously hard for us to say that this apparent view is satisfying enough or at least pleasant. 

  

Within the frame of pursuit of finding coequal, fair, comprehensive and permanent solutions to Cyprus Problem lasting for 60 years, it is seen that the policy “Deadlock is not a formula.” proposed since 2003 continue to influence the Turkey’s relations increasingly adversely rather than proposing any solution between regional and international institutions as well as other countries. 

 

Within the framework of the same policy and new opening enforcements, at the end of the negotiations including the advances which has been accomplished for a long time in Sweden about the Armenian Question proceeding for 94 years and rooted in that period and which was resulted in the invasion of Azerbaijan since 1990, it will not be an exaggerated approach to state that a probability to bring a permanent solution and the applicability of this solution are scarcely possible; if it is considered the different interpretations made on protocols of parties and the great reactions of the people and the administration of Azerbaijan within 24 hours after two different protocols signed by foreign ministries of Turkey and Armenia.

 

On the other hand, as regards to the advances to be occurred after the implementation of the discourse notions; about which the matter of Zero Problem, currently discussed in Iraq and Syria with neighboring countries and implemented since 2002, is transformed into a maximum cooperation and integration policy with neighboring countries as from the last year; we will wait and see whether they come up with result in the long or medium term.  

 

The most sincere expectation from all parts of our country is that the efforts would be increased in response to strengthening the economic, commercial, cultural relations in addition to good neighborhood relations and reducing the problems between us and the surrounding countries and also especially neighbor countries. However in this context, it is to be shown ultimate attention about whether the opposite party will approach with the same sincere intentions in actions to be taken. 

 

Therefore, there some issues of capital importance need to be examined in detail and pay regard in order not to be disappointed in the future: what this new approach expected to give positive results will bring about and take away in medium and long term in fields such as economy, commerce, energy and transportation; the potential reactions of other countries in this eminently fragile and accountable region, of the regional actors and of the global powers closely interested in the region and our national interests in a broad sense.   

 

Ambassador (R) Emin GÜNDÜZ