MOSCOW MISUNDERSTANDINGS

It’s difficult to understand why there was such a ‘break’ in visits and why the former governments didn’t see the need for any. On the other hand, there have recently been noticeable developments in Turkish-Russian relations: Bilateral trade has risen, new economic ties have been established, tourism is flourishing and agreements in various areas have been signed. Yet relations, especially political and strategic ties, are still lagging, and reciprocal trust hasn’t been established…

Sinan Ogan, a Russia analyst at Ankara’s Eurasian Strategic Research Center (ASAM), says there is still a problem of understanding between Ankara and Moscow. One can see this lack of understanding in the Russian press. Turkey has been unable to counter an anti-Turkish campaign in the Russian press – due especially to events in Chechnya. As Ogan stresses, Turkey isn’t getting through to Russian intellectuals, the media or public opinion. For example Gul’s visit should be an opportunity to meet with nongovernmental organizations (NGO) and in good media settings… As he did during his visits to the US and Europe…

Actually, both the necessary conditions and foundation for improving Turkish-Russian relations are available. Even if the prior foreign policy targets of the two countries are at variance, both have significant interests in establishing closer strategic relations. Relations with the US and Europe are foreign policy priorities for both Moscow and Ankara. Besides, Russia has a special interest in Asia and its ‘backyard.’ As Turkey has in its close neighbors… But Russia should have a particular role as a ‘balancing element’ in Turkish diplomacy. As a matter of fact, officials in Ankara stress the importance of the ‘Russian dimension in foreign policy.’

But there’s still the fact that Turkish-Russian relations aren’t ‘unproblematic’ and that serious obstacles remain to their development. The most important of these is Chechnya, the key issue overshadowing Turkish-Russian ties from the Russian point of view. Under its ‘fight against terrorism,’ Turkey is trying to allay Russia’s concerns on this matter. But in practice, Moscow is claiming that Ankara isn’t taking the necessary measures. In this area, mutual understanding should be established between what Ankara has done and Moscow’s expectations. One way of establishing this mutual understanding and trust is dialogue, and Gul’s visit is paving the way for this …”