Turkey can play a key role in a rapprochement between the EU and Russia. Russia and Turkey are aiming for a volume of trade of $100 billion by 2020 and have signed up to joint investments and projects in a number of fields and are also setting an example of how close relations can be established despite political differences. One of the key elements of diplomatic success is the emphasis on points in common rather than differences: Turkey and Russia have widely differing policies on the subjects of Syria and Nagorno-Karabakh yet still represent a positive role model for countries of the EU that cannot reach an agreement with Russia over Ukraine. For the EU, to decide to act together with Russia and abandon its policy of isolating the latter will also help reduce Russian pressure on Ukraine. In other words, it will lighten the economic and social pressure exerted by Russia on Ukraine, a potential member of the union, and help overcome problems emerging during the accession process. Just like the partnership and cooperation agreement which was signed between the EU and Russia in 1994, it is also possible to return to the same state of affairs today. Political dialogue between the sides and a more comprehensive and binding agreement, including trade investments and energy, will be instrumental in binding the peoples of the EU and Russia together. That will at the same time accelerate democratic progress in Russia and place the social fabric on a more balanced foundation. It is much easier than people think to resolve both the EUs economic predicament and the increasing isolation of Russia. Turkey can assume the role of a key player in that.
Posted on: Fri, 12 Dec 2014 01:08:43 +0000
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