Russia Should Court Turkey During the EU Process

Mehman Gafarli, of Noviye Izvestia, a daily Russian newspaper, wrote the headline "Goodbye Turkey" over an article urging Russia, which did not initially believe in the start of negotiations between the EU and Ankara, should present Turkey with some especially attractive economic projects. Other experts say the pressures coming from the West might lead both countries to cooperate on several issues. Deputy Chief of the Policy Technologies Center, Boris Makarenko, said: "Putin’s visit to Turkey indicated that Russia has several problems with the West. The matter of Ukraine, in particular, has raised many issues. When the long and formidable negotiation process is taken into consideration, Moscow and Ankara will act cooperatively against pressures from the West."

To Makarenko, a man who defines Turkey’s membership as "indispensable," membership is a definite as Turkey is the unique strategic bridge between the Islamic world and the West, but it is difficult to predict the timing. Gafarli says Russia did not care about the developments at the beginning, but regretted it later. Gafarli thinks that the EU might dissolve before Turkey gets full membership. Advocating that Russia will recede from Turkey not only in terms of policy, but also in terms of the economy, Gafarli suggests: "Economic projects, which will provide a maximum profit level, should be presented to Turkey. Russia is better of making herself more and more attractive. Otherwise, she will fail in several areas particularly the energy lines and the Bosphorus." When asked when he will say "goodbye" to Turkey, Gafarli said: "Never… We will go to our favorite Turkish city of Antalya no matter what. We have already set up the Kremlin there."