www.turkishpolicy.com

23/08/2011

As global attention is focused on the Arab Spring, the Eastern neighborhood of Turkey and Europe risks being neglected. In this issue of TPQ, we focus on both the Black Sea and the Southern Mediterranean region, constructively exploring questions that relate to the stabilization and democratization of Turkey?s broader neighborhood.

Stefan Füle

There is clear scope for Turkey and the EU to further develop cooperation and to intensify policy coordination in the Southern Mediterranean and Black Sea regions. The new Strategic Dialogue between the EU and Turkey will also play an important role in this regard.

Ross Wilson

The Caucasus and Central Asia, where Eurasia joins South Asia and the Middle East, look vulnerable...These countries need to fashion more cooperative relations among themselves, and they need more effectively to be drawn into the global system and economy.

Alexander Rondeli

This paper examines the causes behind the widespread and never ending violence in the North Caucasus which hinders the transformation of Russia into a modern democratic state and an inclusive nation.

A successful democratic transition requires not merely the change of elites at the helm of the state, but also a dismantlement of the authoritarian structures, establishment of democratic checks and balances, free media, effective political alternatives and building up of tolerance.And herein lies the snag with the ?Turkish model.?

Cenk Sidar & Gareth Winrow

Turkey and Russia have been engaged in what amounts to bargaining over the realization of a range of energy projects, which demarcate the contours of a grand energy package. Russia is keen to secure Turkey?s backing for its flagship South Stream gas pipeline project and this could give Ankara leverage in its negotiations with Moscow.

Aylin Yardımcı

The article aims to provide an analysis of the current state of the European Union?s relations with the Mediterranean from a political economy perspective, and elaborates on the implications of the ?Arab Spring? for the future of the European Union.

Ivane Chkhikvadze

Turkey has failed to formulate a policy that would fully meet Georgian and Russian expectations at the same time. On the one hand Turkey showed reluctance to NATO?s enlargement in the region and on the other, Turkish investments in Abkhazia as well as the lobby of the Abkhazian diaspora living in Turkey have posed challenges to Turkey-Georgia relations.

Yunus Yılmaz

This paper analyzes Turkish foreign policy activism in recent years with reference to transformations at global, regional and societal levels. By dint of these changes, the paper argues that Turkey has become more able to pursue a value-based foreign policywhich prioritizes values over interests.

George Kyris

The article investigates Turkey?s impact on the Turkish Cypriot political parties before, during and after the Annan Plan referenda. It is argued that before the referenda on the ?Annan Plan?, a variety of reasons led Ankara to support a compromising solution to the Cyprus issue.

Altay Atlı

This essay focuses on the economic relations between the two countries and suggests that four questions need to be addressed if Turkey is to develop its relations with China in a way that is not only beneficial but also sustainable and progressive in the long term.

İnan İzci

This opinion piece aims to underline the potential importance of the European Union accession process for local authorities in Turkey. The EU accession process can be a window of opportunity for local politics in Turkey regardless of whether membership materializes.

Aytuğ Şaşmaz & Nihan Köseleci Blanchy

The socioeconomic background plays a huge role in determining the success of the Turkish student, and schools are more or less segregated in line with the socio-economic background characteristics of their students. This paper underscores possible reasons and results of this situation, and what alternative future directions Turkey may take if learning outcomes can be improved.