Turkish Foreign Policy at the Turn of the 'Century of Turkiye': Challenges, Vision, Objectives, and Transformation.

• Author: Fidan, Hakan

Introduction

I assumed my duties as the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkiye at a turning point in Turkish history, when we embarked on the 'Century of Turkiye' at the Centenary of our Republic. The vision of the Century of Turkiye, developed by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, (1) has emerged as a concept aiming at propelling Turkiye towards a future characterized by progress, development, and global engagement while revitalizing the accomplishments of the past century with renewed vigor and enthusiasm.

This grand vision will serve as a beacon of light for Turkiye in every policy area, including foreign policy. In fact, it is already well reflected in Turkiye's foreign policy goals and actions to establish a zone of peace, stability, and prosperity in our neighborhood and beyond. Our Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which is celebrating its quincentenary, is well equipped with its long tradition, notable human resources, and extensive web of diplomatic presence worldwide to ensure the swift and full implementation of this vision.

Challenges in a Complex Era of Multiple Crises

The post-1945 liberal international order has prevented the outbreak of a new world war. Nevertheless, it has fallen short of offering sustainable peace and security for all. After the fall of the Berlin Wall, the discussions of the world order from unipolarity to bipolarity, and finally to multipolarity, are the symptoms of a problem in the current global governance mechanisms. These discussions prove that current global governance mechanisms are unable to address global challenges timely, fairly, and effectively. They have instead become a battleground where the political strategies of great powers clash.

The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres recently acknowledged this fact by underlining that "today's multilateral institutions that were created after the Second World War reflect the power and economic dynamics of that time, and so, they need reform." (2) This observation resonates with Turkiye's longstanding call for a reform of the UN and other multilateral organizations, in order to create a just and fair new order.

This call is particularly opportune at a time when escalating competition among great powers intensifies global tensions and fosters polarization on a global scale. One can see the effects of this competition across the world. The erosion of multilateralism and the rules-based order further exacerbates this ever-increasing polarization. There is a need to ensure that the underlying principles of international law are upheld. However, the UN Security Council, entrusted with the primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security, fails to fulfill its mission. This, in turn, leaves the international system increasingly out of balance, harboring unpredictable developments, and leading to further vulnerability.

Simultaneously, the international system faces a multitude of political, military, economic, environmental, technological, and social challenges. Current challenges such as armed conflicts, terrorism, irregular migration, xenophobia, Islamophobia, climate crisis, food shortages, and cyber threats heighten each other. None of these challenges are confined by national borders and no state can tackle them alone. In the absence of efficient global governance mechanisms, the international setting is shaped by rising fragilities that are increasing globally, but especially in our region.

While the international community has significant security concerns about the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine at Turkiye's immediate vicinity, it is simultaneously dealing with the spillover effects of the war such as global inflation, economic stagnation, energy crisis, and food insecurity. Organizations with the mandate to bring forward the most needed solutions appear incapable of addressing the crisis that has arisen at the heart of Europe but is impacting the entire world.

At the same time, instead of achieving globalization on a fair basis, certain countries are moving further away from its benefits by adopting protectionism in the economic sphere. The increased global wealth is not distributed fairly on an international scale, as an important number of countries still struggle to access basic needs. Certain multinational companies' market cap surpasses the overall sum of many countries' GDPs. According to 2022 estimates of the UN, "9.2 percent of the world population still remains in chronic hunger and 2.4 billion people faced moderate to severe food insecurity." (3) While the Sustainable Development Goal No. 2 envisions "Zero Hunger by 2030," the alarming trend indicates that we are rather moving in the opposite direction.

This gloomy picture is in stark contradiction with cutting-edge technologies such as big data, artificial intelligence, and quantum computing which present vast opportunities across various domains, including the economy, security, development, transportation, and healthcare.

As a result of all these simultaneous developments, the global system experiences a complex era of multiple crises, which indicate both the pressing necessity and inevitability of change. It is now crystal clear that the international system has to undergo a substantial transformation.

A Vision for Turkiye as a Regional Constructive and System-Transformer Actor

Against such a background, Turkiye emerges once again as a force for good, assuming a heightened sense of responsibility on the international stage. It stands out as a problem solver, system improver, and transformer actor in the region and in international affairs, at the turn of the Century of Turkiye.

The international system as envisioned by Turkiye, evolves beyond the traditional concept of an international order defined by polarity, whether unipolar, bipolar, or multipolar. Turkiye seeks to contribute to a more inclusive, effective, fair, and secure international system capable of addressing current global and regional challenges; a robust system based on solidarity, rather than polarity.

This is a challenging task, requiring strategic patience and unwavering determination. Turkiye, with its solid political will and increasing capabilities, is certainly well-positioned to be one of the architects of such a new international system. Turkiye's quest for a more inclusive, just, and secure global order will continue to derive from the notions of justice and conscience, engrained in the centuries-old culture and identity of Turkish people, and consequently reflected in our national foreign policy.

Turkiye is ready to collaborate with other nations to defend our shared values and fulfill our shared responsibilities in establishing an inclusive and effective international system that places high priority on human welfare, tackles economic disparities, and promotes global peace, security, stability, and prosperity.

Main Objectives of Turkish Foreign Policy at the Turn of the Century of Turkiye

Protecting Turkiye's interests in a volatile regional and global environment, while also shaping conditions for sustainable peace and development in our wider neighborhood, are complementary objectives that require an integral comprehensive strategy. Establishing peace and security in our region, further institutionalizing our foreign relations on a structural basis, developing an environment of prosperity and advancing our global goals are the fundamental tenets of this strategy.

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