Turkey : New kid on the block

In 1905 Turkey initiated diplomatic ties with Ethiopia , and with it, Turkey 's first diplomatic relationship with Africa . The first Turkish diplomatic mission, a Consulate was opened in Harrar in 1912. The next year Turkish Embassy was opened in Addis Ababa. During the First World War the Embassy was closed and was reopened in 1957. Especially in the last ten years relations between Turkey and Ethiopia have developed rapidly and are showing promise.

Turkey , once a world super power ( Ottoman Empire ), is now facing several obstacles in its quest to join the EU. The Turkish Ambassador to Ethiopia , His Excellency Mr. Can Altan, explains how the relationship between the two countries has been boosted and how Turkey views the ongoing negotiations to join the EU.

Ambassador Altan, a graduate of the Faculty of Political Sciences with a BA in International Relations, in Ankara has been a diplomat for 35 years and shows none of the stiffness that usually comes with years of diplomatic service, at home and abroad.

Eskinder Michael of Capital spent some time with the Ambassador.

How would you rate Ethio-Turkish relations in terms of trade and social issues? Has the trade balance between the two countries grown and which way does the balance tip?

In brief, Ethio-Turkish relations are good and are getting better. I believe one of the many reasons for this is the striking similarities between the two countries. Besides that, there is the political will of both governments to enhance bilateral relations. The existence of this political will is very important.

A lot has happened both politically and economically over the last two years between our countries, the most important event being the visit of our Prime Minister to Ethiopia , in March 2005. This was his first African visit since taking office.

Another significant development in our relations has been the opening of an Ethiopian embassy in Ankara in April 2006. An experienced diplomat, Dr Mulatu Teshome has been nominated as the Ethiopian Ambassador to Turkey .

In the economic field, opening of direct Turkish Airlines flights between Istanbul and Addis Ababa in April 2006 has been very significant. I am happy to say that these flights are already a commercial success. Twice weekly Turkish Airlines flights are all fully booked and as a result, weekly flights have been increased to three, since November 5, 2006.

Directs flights between Turkey and Ethiopia are already contrib uting to increased economic and commercial ties. The number of visas issued by my Embassy's Consular Section to Ethiopian businessman has doubled since April this year, compared to the same period last year.

The trade relations between Turkey and Ethiopia are growing very rapidly. Last year (2005), our bilateral trade was 140 million USD. This is a significant increase over 2004, when our trade was 95 million USD. Our trade in 2005 has nearly increased fivefold compared to 2001, when trade was only 33 million USD.

The number of Turkish companies interested in doing business in Ethiopia is increasing all the time. I know that two important Turkish firms have decided to invest in Ethiopia in 2006 in the field of textiles. Their combined investment will be over 150 million Euros. Other Turkish companies are also comin g in with investments in diverse fields.

Can you tell us what fueled such an increase in trade?

Turkish firms are rapidly discovering the business opportunities in Ethiopia and my government and our Embassy is doing its best to encourage all interested companies to come over to Ethiopia . Of course improved economic conditions in Ethiopia are also contributing to the increase in trade.

Nearly half of Turkey 's exports to Ethiopia is steel for the Ethiopian construction sector. Other important items of export are cables, household appliances and diverse machinery used for production.

Exports from Ethiopia to Turkey have also shown significant increase. If we look at trade figures we see that Turkey's, imports from Ethiopia in the year 2000 were just 185,000 USD, whereas in 2005 they have gone over 30 million USD. Agricultural products, mainly pulses, are the major export items to Turkey . The quality of seeds and pulses in Ethiopia is very good. Turkish companies are not only importing greater quantities every year, but they are also re-exporting pulses bought from Ethiopia to other countries.

Just like Chinese products, Turkish products have been hitting the shops of Ethiopia for a long time now. Do you think that such a one way trade is healthy?

Imports are always important for an economy because they encourage local producers to compete more. But if you hide behind trade barriers or high taxes and import duties, then the local producers will have no incentive to produce quality goods.

Turkey in the 1980s went down this road when the Turkish economy was closed and our producers felt safe behind high import taxes. But through many reforms, we opened our markets to imports from all countries. Everybody, especially consumers, benefited from that and the Turkish economy in the long run also benefited from these reforms.

I would also like to point out that, Ethiopian exports to Turkey are increasing rapidly. They have gone up from 185,000 USD to 30 million USD in the space of six years. That is a tremendous increase in a short time.

What are the main spheres of cooperation between our two countries?

Ethiopia is the only African country that Turkey has already signed all important political, commercial, cultural and educational agreements. There is a Turkish-Ethiopian Joint Economic Commission that convenes every other year where officials of both countries meet and discuss how to increase economic and commercial ties.

The last meeting of the Commission was held in Ethiopia in January 2005 and the next one will be held in December 2006 in Ankara . During the last meeting, it was agreed that we should increase cooperation in the fields of tourism and agriculture. Agreements were prepared in three months and at the first opportunity they will be signed and put into application. In this context Ethiopia 's Minister of Tourism has been invited to come to Turkey this year. The intention is to sign the agreement on tourism during this visit. The same with the agricultural sector; the cooperation agreement is ready and as soon as it is signed, cooperation will begin.

On the education sector, we had two delegations that came to Addis Ababa in 2006. One was a high level visit from the Turkish Ministry of Education. The visiting delegation had meetings with the Ethiopian Minister of Education and the two State Ministers. It was agreed during the visit to enhance cooperation in the field of education and to cooperate, especially in the field of vocational and technical training. Basically in the textile and leather sectors. The first step would be training Ethiopian teachers in Turkey and the second step would be providing vocational schools in Ethiopia with additional training equipment and materials.

The second visit was by the Deputy Rector of the Middle East Technical University in Ankara . The purpose of the visit was to look into possible areas cooperation between Addis Ababa University and the Middle East Technical University .

What about the Turkish International Cooperation Agency (TICA), how is it functioning these days?

The presence of TICA in Addis Ababa has speeded up technical cooperation between our two countries. This technical cooperation office was opened when our Prime Minister visited Ethiopia in March 2005. Following the opening of TICA in one year, 17 delegations composed of about 50 Ethiopian government officials visited Turkey with assistance from TICA to explore possible areas of cooperation in different sectors between the two countries.

Officials from the Ethiopian Ministry of Water Resources visited the Great Anatolian Project, which is a series of dams in Turkey that has cost close to 30 billion USD, irrigates close to 10 million hectares and generates 25% of Turkey 's energy needs.

TICA has also contributed to increased cooperation between the Turkish and Ethiopian municipalities ( Addis Ababa and Harrar) where visits have been made. There is an initiative to make Ankara and Addis Ababa sister cities and we are working to make that happen. I am happy to report that the Mayor of Addis attaches importance to this subject. We are working on a visit for the Mayor of Addis to visit Ankara in December 2006 where a twining protocol will be signed.

Could you tell us about Turkey 's global development activities, especially in Ethiopia ? Could you also focus on transfers of technology because, as we know, Turkey excels in building machines?

I have to say that in the field of development assistance Turkey is a newcomer. Because, 20 years ago Turkey was a country which received technical assistance. Since then we have taken great strides in the economic and technical fields. This has allowed us to offer assistance to others in areas where we previously received assistance. We believe that Turkey understands the problems encountered by developing countries better than countries that developed long ago.

I have to say that our technical and development assistance is very modest compared to other developed countries in the world. But, on this subject, I would like to point out that the cost to the Turkish economy of the assistance we offer is much greater, because our economy is smaller compared to other countries in Europe that offer development assistance.

We are still learning. Providing technical assistance is not an easy thing; you need to pinpoint the best areas of cooperation and find the areas where the receiving country attaches particular importance. Cooperation and assistance in areas where the receiving country is not interested is useless.

Turkey provides 10 university scholarships to Ethiopia and this figure could be increased. I know that certain countries limit scholarships offered to developing countries to the social field. Turkey puts no such restrictions. You can apply to any University, whether it is an engineering or a medical faculty.

What is Turkey 's position regarding the tensions arising between Ethiopia–Somalia? In related question, what do you think of the Ethiopia–Eritrea matter and is Turkey thinking of doing anything to calm tensions?

I think Ethiopia lives in what we call a difficult neighborhood and Turkey understands the problems associated with this, as we also live in a tough neighborhood. I already mentioned that our countries have similarities and this is one of them. Turkey is economically and militarily the strongest country in its region, but some of our neighbors are uneasy about having Turkey as a neighbor and have real or imaginary problems with Turkey . This is also true for Ethiopia .

Turkey does not take an active role in the problems of the Horn of Africa, simply because we are not a global power. We have an ongoing dialogue with the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs where regional and world problems are examined and this is the limit of our involvement.

I would also like to point out that diplomacy works best when it is put to work behind the scenes and I doubt if too much media attention contributes to solving international problems. Often problems are exacerbated when there is too much media coverage and too many official statements.

To answer your question, I believe Ethiopia is handling the diplomatic problems it is facing very well. In the 11 months I have been in Addis Ababa , I have been impressed by the professional qualities of Ethiopian diplomats I have met. They have an excellent understanding of the international problems Ethiopia is facing and are taking decisive action to protect Ethiopian national interests.

What do you think of Ethiopia 's internal problems between the government and the opposition parties; do you think they are being handled effectively?

Well I guess that is an area where I am hesitant to comment. That is because Ethiopia is a very big and complex country with a long history. I have been here only 11 months. To comment on this subject with such limited experience would be wrong. But I would like to say that all countries in the process of democratization go through difficult periods. And in such difficult moments both those who are in power and the opposition should be ready for compromise. Democracy is not about winning or loosing, it is about everybody getting something out of the system.

But you have to realize that problems do occur: they did occur in Turkey in the 60s and 80s. This is normal and it is part of democratization and the solution always lies in the willingness of all forces in society to compromise.

Turkey and Greece have clashed about the matter of Cyprus . How would you describe the relations between the two countries? Is Turkey set to lose out on EU membership over the Cyprus issue? Do you think the EU is putting up too many obstacles for Turkey 's entry into the EU?

I think both countries realize the importance of good relations. In the last 10 years, serious efforts have been deployed by both countries to improve relations and now I believe our relations are at a much better level, both commercially and politically. I think more than 300,000 Greek tourists visit Turkey every year and from a country with a population of around 10 million inhabitants, this is a large figure.

Cyprus has been a problem for a long time in our region. Recently, the UN Secretary General Mr. Annan has made determined efforts to find a negotiated solution to the problem and I know that my government actively supported UN Secretary General's efforts. Turkish Cypriots have also made important contribution to the search for a solution. They accepted the plan proposed by the UN Secretary General, but unfortunately the voters in the South of Cyprus rejected the Secretary General's plan.

Regarding Turkey 's membership in the European Union, I would like to point out that Cyprus is not a criteria for Turkish membership. Membership to the EU is a process and during that process there are stages and hurdles countries need to pass through. Turkey can go over these stages just like other applicant countries did in the past. Countries that are members now have also complained about a lot of problems during their negotiations with the EU.

The Turkish public believes that the rules Turkey is being asked to comply with are much stricter and numerous than the rules other applicant countries have been asked to do in the past. There perhaps lies the answer to your last question. One should ask why Turkey is being asked to accomplish so much for membership.

But the process of negotiations is going on and it could take as long as ten years like it was first suggested.

Turkey is not a small or medium sized state like some other European countries that have recently joined the EU. It has a population as large as Ethiopia – 75 million – and that is causing concerns among some member countries. When Turkey joins the EU, it will be the most populous country in the Union with a population larger than Germany . If fairness is to prevail, when Turkey joins, we should automatically have the biggest say in EU councils.

I do not believe that some countries in Europe are ready to be fair to Turkey . As a result, we are witnessing an attempt by certain governments in Europe to try to get the EU commission to define the EU's absorption capacity. This recent stress on absorption capacity is simply a renewed effort by some politicians in Europe to find a way to keep Turkey out.

Problems are there, but I believe they can be overcome. And Turkey is not alone. There are many statesmen in Europe who realize that EU would be making a tragic mistake if it closes the door on a strategically important and economically dynamic country like Turkey .

How do you view the recent resolution by the French National Assembly to criminalize the supposed Armenian genocide denial?

My government has released an official statement on this matter. Regarding the decision take n in the French National Assembly, one has to consider the number of votes by which this act was passed. In the French National Assembly with over 550 deputies, less than 150 deputies participated in the actual vote. Out of over 550 deputies only 106 vote d for the act.

At the time, BBC reported that this act by the French National Assembly seemed to have more to do with the coming elections in France than with history. Furthermore, the act has a long way to go before it will be signed by the President of France to enter into force. Time will show how far it will go within the French system once the elections in France are over.

Turkey is a Muslim state and living in the European hemisphere and so could be in the middle of tensions between the Arab world and the rest of the world. How can Turkey help in improving the links between the Muslim world and the rest of the world? Do you think the Turkish Republic and its principles are under threat from rising Islamic radicalism?

I would like to challenge the statement that Turkey is a Muslim state. Most of the population in Turkey is Muslim, but since the Republic was created in 1923, Turkey has been a secular state.

Our relations with Europe have never been hindered by the religious beliefs of the Turkish people. We have been part of Europe , especially since World War II. Turkey joined NATO in 1953, and we have been a member of the Council of Europe that preceded the European Union since 1949. We already have a Customs Union with the EU. Turkey is the only country that is not a member but has a Customs Union with the EU.

Turkey has undertaken serious economic and political reforms in the last century which have allowed us to move forward and to meet the challenges of a modern economy. Our reforms and practices are seen as a model by some Islamic countries.

Turkish Republic is 83 years old. Turkey has existed over 7 centuries. It has weathered many storms and has always surprised those who have underestimated its strengths and capacity to meet challenges.

Could you elaborate on the current controversy over headscarves and Muslim dresses?

This issue has been settled in court in Turkey , so there is nothing that I can add. The Turkish courts ruled that the use of headscarves in public areas can be regulated by law. This decision was appealed and the decisions of lower courts were upheld by the Turkish Supreme Court and later by the European Court of Human Rights.