Honorable Members of the Parliament,
Assistant Secretary General,
Ambassador Ömer Akbel, President of the Atlantic Council of Turkey
Excellencies,
Members of the Press
Ladies and Gentleman

It is a great pleasure for me to be here with you today and address this distinguished group at a time when we are celebrating the 60th anniversary of Turkey’s membership to NATO. On this opportunity, I would like to share with you today my thoughts on some of the issues and challenges that Turkey and the Alliance face.

Since its foundation, Turkey’s foreign policy has been guided by the principle of “peace at home, peace in the world”. Over the years, in line with the changes in the domestic and international environment, our foreign policy developed and gained many layers and dimensions, yet always on the basis of this principle.

In accordance with this principle, six decades ago, Turkey made a strategic choice to join the Alliance. Although influenced by the realities of the time and the Article V guarantees, our decision to join the Alliance was fundamentally a result of our democratic vocation.

In the long journey that led us to the end of the Cold War, Turkey has proven itself as a valuable member. In fact, this was in no way an easy task. Turkey spent a huge amount of financial and human resources to defense in order to safeguard Alliance security in its Southeastern flank. Turkey’s contribution played an important role in the ultimate success of the Alliance in securing a “Europe whole, free and at peace with itself” and preserving the democratic values and ideals of the European continent.

After the fall of the Berlin Wall and the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Turkey was a staunch supporter of NATO’s transformation in order to respond to the new challenges that the Alliance and its members began to face. With this mindset, Turkey provided a substantial contribution to NATO at a time of new challenges, in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo and Afghanistan. In that vein, Turkey contributed to IFOR, SFOR, EUFOR-ALTHEA, KFOR, ISAF, as well as to Operation Active Endeavour.

In line with our approach to regional and global security, Turkey has always supported the enlargement of the Alliance and played a constructive role in developing NATO’s partnerships. In this context, the Balkans is a priority for Turkey not only from the political, economic and geographical perspectives, but also due to our historical, cultural and human ties with that region. We particularly welcome the integration of the Balkan countries in the Euro-Atlantic structures and we will continue to support the accession of the aspirant countries. We wish to see that enlargement will be the main theme of NATO’s next Summit.

While the Balkans were and still remain an important area of focus, the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) has always been another prominent region for the European and Transatlantic security.

Over the last two years, we have witnessed an unprecedented democratic awakening in the Arab world. The Arab spring was no less than a paradigm shift which altered the political landscape of the entire region.

Similar to that of Eastern Europe in 1990’s, the Cold War structures in the Middle East are collapsing and gradually disappearing. In order for the historic revolutions in the region to be truly successful, the commitment of the international community is of vital importance.

We all share a moral responsibility to help those demanding a better future from their oppressive rulers. In this context, Syria is a case in point.

The crisis in Syria is deteriorating further. The regime has become a militia force using every possible means to stay in power. Prolongation of the conflict is detrimental for Syria, the Syrian people and for the region. So far, more than 200.000 Syrian citizens have taken shelter in Turkey. Nearly 140 thousand of them are living in refugee camps and the rest have found shelter in our towns.

We cannot stay indifferent to the increased instability and the violation of our borders, endangering the lives of our citizens. The Syrian regime has become a clear threat to the south-eastern border of NATO, particularly in terms of weapons of mass destruction and delivery systems.

Therefore, we formally requested the strengthening of our air defense system with NATO capabilities on November 21st, 2012. In response to our formal request, the North Atlantic Council has agreed, at its meeting held on 4 December 2012 at the level of Ministers of Foreign Affairs, to augment our national air defense in order to defend the Turkish population and territories and to contribute to the de-escalation of the crisis along the Alliance’s border. This decision is important, as a demonstration of Allied solidarity and unity in practical terms. Concurrently, we are determined to take all necessary measures in compliance with international law to protect our territory and population.

We have stressed that this deployment is for defensive purposes only and it will in no way support a no-fly-zone or any offensive operation. We will continue to show utmost restraint.

Yet, we are conscious that the deployment of Patriot missiles defense systems cannot and will not solve the crisis in Syria. Therefore, Turkey will continue the initiatives she has been undertaking with like-minded Allies and friends, with a view to solving the Syrian crisis through peaceful ways.

We stand in full solidarity with the Syrian people. We will continue our efforts in addressing their needs. However, the international community should seek ways to address this humanitarian crisis within the borders of Syria.

Distinguished Guests,

The Middle East is a region which takes the lead in terms of proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their delivery vehicles. We strongly envision a Middle East free from all WMDs, including nuclear weapons.

We are, without doubt, against Iran acquiring nuclear weapons. However, in full compliance with their IAEA and NPT commitments we do support nations’ rightful access to peaceful uses of nuclear energy.

We are one of the few Allies, if not the only one, that can talk to Iran directly, at all levels. We will keep the channels of communication open. We believe that preventing an undesirable outcome in Iran is possible only through negotiations.

Afghanistan is another country of direct interest to all of us.

As Afghanistan continues its historic steps towards lasting peace and stability, the engagement of the international community in Afghanistan should not lose its momentum.

Turkey has been doing its part since the very early days of ISAF. As early as June 2002, our troops were in Kabul, ensuring the safety of the capital. After NATO took ISAF’s command in 2003, we subsequently assumed several times the leadership of Kabul Regional Command. On the civilian side, our Provincial Reconstruction Teams – PRTs – in Wardak and Jowzjan (Cevizcan) are providing Afghans much appreciated support.

We are also pleased that the Istanbul Process, which was initiated by Turkey and Afghanistan, comprising Afghanistan’s immediate and regional neighbors, is moving forward. This process has already become a signature initiative to enhance regional cooperation.

Furthermore, the Trilateral Ankara Summit Process with Afghanistan and Pakistan, which is based on high level political dialogue, security cooperation and development, is keeping up its momentum. The seventh Summit of this process was held in Ankara just the day before, on 11-12 December 2012.

With this overall security picture in mind, I would now like to share a few general thoughts on what our Alliance may need to focus on in the current decade following the Chicago Summit.

First, NATO’s fundamental purpose, which is collective defence, should continue to be upheld, along with the overarching time-tested principles such as consensual decision making.

In the post-Cold War era, the notion of security can no longer be confined to merely military terms, and that historical, social, cultural, political and economic factors increasingly enter into play and affect the security environment. NATO has a number of tools for soft security and the more they are put to the forefront, the better it would be for the Alliance’s image and perception

Cooperative security is a theoretical manifestation of Alliance’s soft power. Partnership relations fostered by NATO are one of the primary tools for application of soft power and promotion of cooperative security.

Whilst we support the notion of cooperative security, our Alliance and solidarity among Allies must continue to prevail over the potential of partnerships. Therefore, enhanced partnership arrangements cannot substitute or replace consultations among Allies.

This is also valid for capability development as well. It is the responsibility of Allies to provide the necessary capabilities to enable the Alliance to carry out its core tasks, including collective defense.

Whereas initiatives such as Smart Defense and Connected Forces do bear dimensions that pertain to partners, this will not absolve Allies of their obligations vis-à-vis one another. Nor should this result in giving politically unsustainable roles to partners.

Consequently, the Allies should comprehensively oversee the implementation of Smart Defense. This would include approving partners’ participation in Smart Defense and Connected Forces Initiatives, as well as the association of these initiatives with the NATO Defense Planning Process.

Secondly, we must keep our decision-making autonomy, particularly concerning Article V commitments.

Thirdly, NATO could play a positive role in the transformation of the Arab world through its partnership tools. However, without making advancement in the solution of the Arab-Israeli conflict, it would not be possible to have lasting stability in the Middle East.

Finally, we should see NATO as part of a larger team for international peace and security. In that vein, NATO, in addition to enhancing its relations with Partners, could further its relations with countries like China and India.

Our neighbourhood, the Middle East, the Balkans, Africa and South Asia will continue to occupy an ever growing place in the Turkish foreign policy. With its fast growing economy; social dynamism; improved democratic standards; unique historical ties with a large number of countries in all directions; and a rich cultural diversity, Turkey’s soft power is more relevant and effective than ever in a wide geography.

As our economy grows, we will continue to reach out to new countries. In Africa for instance, the number of our diplomatic missions increased from 12 in 2002 to 34 in 2012. Africa will be one of Turkey’s strategic partners in the 21st Century. Our outreach to these regions will enhance the Alliance’s insight and vision.

In concluding my remarks, I would reiterate once again NATO’s continued importance for Turkey as we celebrate the 60th year of our membership. Our membership to NATO is the solid evidence of our commitment to transatlantic security. We will continue our concrete contribution to the most successful Alliance in history.

Finally, allow me take this opportunity to express our appreciation to the activities of Atlantic Treaty Association. ATA, since its foundation in 1954 have played a pivotal role in advancing the publics’ understanding of NATO’s increasingly important role in international affairs.

I would like to thank ATA for their excellent organization and hospitality. I wish all the participants a successful and fruitful discussion today and tomorrow.

Thank you.