Dr. Ismail SAFI
Member of the Presidential Council on Security and Foreign Policy
under the President of the Republic of Turkey
ON THE IMPORTANCE OF TURKISH-RUSSIAN RELATIONS IN EURASIAN SPACE
Mr. Chairman!
Mr. Ambassador!
Representatives of the Peoples of Turkey and Russia!
I warmly welcome all of you and express my deep respect to you!
I would like to express my gratitude to the organizers of this event – the International Fund for Sustainable Peace and Development and the International Social Movement “We Love Russia”. I am proud to be part of the governing boards of these two organizations.
Turks and Russians are the two most numerous peoples of Eurasia! So it was historically, so it is now.
if you asked a Turk or a Russian ten or fifteen years ago: “Are you an Asian or European?”, He would ardently argue that he, of course, is “a European” and not “an Asian”.
Today, if they are asked a similar question the answer will definitely be: “I am Russian!” Or “I am a Turk.” And they will say it with pride. Those who are more intellectual may try to explain that it would be more correct to call them “Eurasians.” The fact is that in our geographical space, the terms “Russian”, “Turks” or “Eurasian” present far more meaningful concepts of self-identification than the terms “European” or “Asian”.
And the matter is not so much in the size of population, rich natural resources or economic potential that our peoples possess. The above concepts symbolize primarily the history, originality and culture of our peoples, their firm faith in themselves and in their future.
Turkish-Russian friendship dates back to the first days of the formation of the modern Turkish State. During the period of the National-Liberation War of Turkey against the imperialist invaders, the Russians helped us with arms and money.
The USSR was the first to recognize, on the basis of reciprocity, the Government of the Republic of Turkey. The Russians supported the Republic of Turkey in its economic development, primarily in the field of heavy industry.
The current state of relations between Turkey and the Russian Federation can be described as “magnificent”. They are developing and getting stronger in all spheres.
If before the Turkish-Russian negotiations mainly focused on the “vegetable” topic, today on our agenda already are strategic projects of global significance. Among the largest and technological projects are the Turkish Stream, the construction of the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant, and the S-400 defense systems deal.
Turkey and Russia are not only neighbors, but also relatives. There are about 100 thousand mixed marriages between our citizens that have already been registered, and the Turks occupy the first place in the number of mixed families of Russians with foreigners.
The Turkic and Muslim peoples living in the Russian Federation serve as strong bridges between Turkey and Russia.
The armed forces of our countries interact in Syria. thanks to the support of Russia Turkey was able to conduct operations “Euphrates Shield” and “Olive Branch”, carried out activities in Afrin and Idlib. Similarly, Russia, among other things with the support of Turkey, has strengthened its strategic position in Syria and the Eastern Mediterranean.
Within the framework of the Astana process, as well as meetings held in Sochi and Istanbul, documents were signed that brought Syria one step closer to peace, while the “Geneva process” supported by America, Europe and the United Nations has failed.
All this is a direct result of cooperation and mutual assistance between Russia and Turkey. If such cooperation continues in economic, social, cultural, scientific, technical, military and in all other areas, “Turkey and Russia will together create the contours of the future of Eurasia!”
Russia and Turkey are not rivals, but countries complementary to each other. What one country has is absent in another, and vice versa. Fate, in a good sense of the word, “sentenced” the two countries to cooperate, they “are geographically doomed to join forces”.
For this reason, it is not rivalry that meets the interests of the two sides, but interaction, and both sides understand that very well. The formula of such interaction could be expressed as follows: “the merging of high technology of Russia and the creative entrepreneurship of Turkey”. Thanks to this, Russia will have the opportunity to get access to new markets through Turkey, and Turkey will strengthen its technological potential.
Strong leaders of these two countries play an important role in the development of Turkish-Russian relations. At the recent launch of the Turkish Stream in Istanbul Putin said: “If it were not for the political will and courage of Mr. Erdogan, this project would have been impossible.”
But Mr. Putin, for his part, showed great courage and will during a difficult period following the attack on the Russian military aircraft and the assassination of ambassador Karlov. (Let him rest in peace!)
It so happened that later the same Turkish fighters who attacked the Russian plane also struck the Turkish army, the Turkish parliament and the people of Turkey. As a result of these events, 250 of our citizens were killed and more than two thousand injured.
Putin and Erdogan wisely and decisively stopped unscrupulous games and plans related to the coup attempt in Turkey, provocation with the Russian plane and the situation in Syria. Both leaders were able to turn the tide and then turn things back on track.
in recent years only Erdogan and Putin have met more than ten times. I don’t know of any other leaders who communicate that often. But bilateral meetings are not limited to presidential level, they are held at all other levels. For example, in November of this year only this is the fifth Turkish-Russian event which I take part in.
During a very difficult period indeed, against the background of the fact that Turkish fighters shot down a Russian plane, the Russian Ambassador in Ankara was killed, the “ax of war” clearly flashed and calls for military mobilization sounded, there came forward heroes who fearlessly continued to fight for peace. I want to say “thanks!” to them.
Of course, primarily we are talking about our two presidents – Erdogan and Putin. Being strong leaders, they both headed the peace process. We all witnessed that and for that we express our sincere gratitude.
But there are also heroes of the “invisible front.” One of them is present here among us. This is the vice president of the International Fund for Sustainable Peace and Development, my dear friend Victor Khmarin. During that period, we met several times in Istanbul, Moscow and Bucharest. The Turkish and Russian peoples should be grateful to him for his personal efforts. Therefore, I suggest that our Forum initiate the awarding him with medal “For the strengthening of friendship between the peoples of Turkey and Russia.”
In conclusion I would like to say that we gratefully remember my friend, Ambassador of the Russian Federation in Turkey Andrei Karlov, who departed prematurely, at the same time expressing my deep gratitude to all the other “Ambassadors of Peace” whose names have not been mentioned today, and most importantly, to the peoples of Turkey and Russia, whose hearts are filled with the feelings of “peace and love.”
Thank you very much!
