The Balkans, which has been one of the most tragic regions in European history, has been the battleground of several bloody conflicts since the 19th century. As the Turks withdrew from the region, so did peace. Recently, though, the Turks have been making a significant comeback to the region. Many observers interpret this comeback as the Turks’ return to their fellow brothers in religion and ethnicity. Yet, the visit Turkish President Abdullah Gul paid to Serbia on October 25-27, which we also attended, showed how limited and superficial the abovementioned interpretation is.
The visit to Serbia, during which several ministers, parliamentarians and bureaucrats accompanied the Turkish president, demonstrated how comprehensive the Balkan opening in Turkish foreign policy is. The Serbian President’s words before the supper given in the Turkish President’s honor were particularly revealing:“I have hosted many guests of high eminence during the 7 years of my presidency. But I had never hosted a more crowded group. This shows how important this meeting between Serbia and Turkey is.”
Religion, culture, ethnicity and economic interests presented as grounds for conflict and division in the Balkans can well constitute the ground for peace and stability in the 21st century. This paradigm change can be seen in President Tadic’s following words:” As a result of the long-standing friendship President Gul and I have managed to establish and maintain with determination, Turkey and Serbia have become strategic partners in providing the Balkans with peace and stability. The Balkans cannot be thought of without Turkey. If Turkey sees Serbia as its most important partner in the Balkans we will be able to bring peace and stability to Eastern Mediterranean, Europe and the Balkans.”
President Gul’s words in response were constructive: “What we [Turkey] suggest to those ethnic or religious groups living outside their own nations is this: preserve your allegiance to the countries where you live as citizens and work for the peace, welfare and stability of that country. Then you will be able to fulfill your function as the bridge between the countries you have religious and ethnic links to and the country where you actually live as citizens, best.” This approach makes it clear that Turkey sees its strength in its soft, rather than hard, power and that soft power reveals the integrative side of culture, religion and ethnicity.
The amicable relationship between Turkey and Serbia bore fruit on the economic front as well. This became more obvious during the Turkey-Serbia Economic Cooperation meeting. TIKA (Turkish International Cooperation and Development Agency), which has been a significant part of Turkey’s soft power, has done all the preliminary work regarding the establishment of an industrial area, worth 400 million euros, in the Sanjak region of Serbia. The Serbian President announced that he opened the highway construction project, to be Serbia’s largest, 2 other airport construction projects and tourism investments to Turkish investors. Besides, Turkey has been the second country after Russia to be Serbia’s privileged and prioritized trading country. It was also announced that Turkish businessman and investors would not visas to enter Serbia.
Turkey’s return to the Balkans has been based on the understanding that common ground can be achieved by preserving the variety and differences. The fact that Turkey is one of the countries that have the most transformative power in the Balkans has not only been admitted by countries to which Turkey has religious and ethnic links, but also by Serbia. Serbia, which lost a large part of its territories in the past 20 years, defines its neighborhood and relations with Turkey as follows: “Of course we [Serbia] have to take into account our national interests. Yet, if we view our national interests from a narrow perspective we will miss larger common interests.”
The Turkish President’s two-day visit to Serbia has been the most visible indicator of the extent of Turkey’s involvement in the transformation in the Balkans. I hope that Turkey’s comprehensive return to the Balkans will be accorded the priority and importance it deserves by politicians and intellectuals.
Ihsan Bal
The Director of Center for International Security, Ethnic Studies and Terrorism, USAK/ISRO
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