Turkey’s UNSC Bid for Next Term Looks Promising | Gözde Nur Donat
In October 2008, for the first time since 1961 and with a historic vote from 151 members, Turkey was elected as a non-permanent member of the Security Council. Turkey held this seat in 2009 and 2010.Dr. Sylvia Tiryaki, an expert in international law and the deputy director of the Global Political Trends Center, said it would be a bit unusual for Turkey to be elected for a second time in such short time period.
“What is playing as a facilitator in Turkey’s bid is the situation in the region and the important role Turkey is playing vis-à-vis Syria and vis-à-vis Arab Spring developments,” Tiryaki, however, stated. Turkey’s close relations with Third World countries, especially its promising friendship with the African continent, could also work in Turkey’s favor.
“To announce its candidacy is also a part of the package,” Tiryaki said. “Whatever the result will be, Turkey showed that it is taking its role seriously, being ready to take responsibility related to international issues,” she noted”.
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This article, featured in Today’s Zaman on 31 March 2013, discusses the impact that high military spending has had on the Greek Cypriot economy.
Greek Cyprus, which used to get whatever support it wanted from Europe, now feels cheated by the European Union, according to a prominent expert. ‘There is now such strong anti-EU sentiment among Greek Cypriots that it is bringing them closer to Turkey. They think there could be the same EU skepticism in Turkey,’ says Dr. Sylvia Tiryaki.
Čerstvému prezidentovi Kyperské republiky Nicosi Anastasiadesovi sotva může někdo závidět. Ve funkci není ještě ani měsíc a už musí čelit něčemu, co někteří řečtí Kypřané přirovnávají ke změně podmínek po turecké vojenské intervenci v roce 1974 a někteří ruští experti dokonce k leninskému převratu z roku 1917.
“Podle posledních statistik přesáhl počet obětí, které syrský konflikt doposud zapříčinil, výrazně sedmdesát tisíc. Toto číslo spolu s počtem utečenců, kterých je v Turecku, Jordánsku a Libanonu okolo 750 tisíc představuje dostatečný důvod pro nazvání situace v Sýrii pojmem “humanitární katastrofa”.”
“The majority of Turkish Cypriots favor Nicos Anastasiades, the leader of Greek Cyprus’ main opposition party, the Democratic Rally (DISY), in the upcoming presidential elections in Greek Cyprus.
“EU leaders meeting in Brussels this week are to consider austerity measures that could reduce the EU’s foreign aid spending by 11% in the 2014-2020 budget, while several EU nations are likely to miss their aid commitments to disadvantaged nations.”
“According to a EurActiv analysis of aid statistics, EU candidate Turkey and South Korea have been increasing aid programmes for poor nations at a time when such spending in Europe is under threat.”
“Sylvia Tiryaki, an expert in international law and the deputy director of the İstanbul-based Global Political Trends Center, emphasized that public diplomacy means are equally important for Turkey in terms of gaining prestige as a soft power. Despite affirming Turkey’s mediation efforts as a long-term investment in its future relations, Tiryaki claimed that only state-to-state initiatives would not be enough to make Turkey a global soft power.”
“For the time being, Greek Cypriots are in a stronger position, given gas and oil exploration,” Sylvia Tiryaki, deputy director of the Global Political Trends Centre at Istanbul Kultur University, told SETimes. “The water and electricity project will create some balance for the northern [part of the island].”