Speech By H.E. President Abdullah Gül of the Republic of Turkey at Columbia University World Leaders Forum

"What Next?: Turkey's Global Vision for a Prosperous Future"

Mr. President,

Dear Students,

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is a great pleasure to be here at Columbia University today. I greet you all, professors as well as students and guests, and thank those who made this occasion possible.

This morning, before coming here, I gave a speech at the Council on Foreign Relations on Turkish-American relations. Here, at Columbia, I will rather talk about my country, the progress we accomplished in recent years in Turkey first; and then talk about our global vision for a prosperous future. Then, I will be answering your questions.

Every time I come to New York, I reserve part of my busy schedule to visit bookshops. Not only do I update myself with the latest titles, I also find the opportunity to have an idea about the current issues discussed.

This time, visiting the bookshops, one of the books that caught my attention was that of Professor Bollinger, ‘Uninhibited, Robust and Wide-Open: a Free Press for a New Century’.’

I have very excitedly gone through the chapters, as the examples he gave from different court cases were of concern to any political leader striving to enlarge the limits of freedom of speech.

I agree with Professor Bollinger, when he says that the threat to a free press comes not from financial difficulties, but rather from the ‘national and international barriers to gathering and reporting the news’.

I agree with him. And this is why, Turkey’s last decade, in which I have been part of the political leadership, has seen an incredible opening and liberalization for freedom of speech. Despite many difficulties, and despite some segments of our society still skeptical about it, Turkey has taken huge steps for securing freedom of speech. The things that were a taboo five years ago are loudly spoken today. Yet, I am not sure whether this change is perceived fully out of Turkey.

The most solid example of this trend in the Turkish media environment was what I should call the ‘heterogenization of media ownership’. Not too long ago, the Turkish media world consisted of a couple of media tycoons, which led to a rather monopolistic power in shaping the agenda. Today, there are so many groups, each with their agenda and strength.

Today, there is a very rich and colorful media scene in Turkey. There are more than 40 national TV channels, hundreds of local ones, and majority of these broadcast to the whole world via satellite. The total daily circulation of national papers reaches 4.5 million copies, but considering our nation’s media literacy habits, we know that a newspaper copy is read at least by 6 people. There are hundreds of radio channels, national and local.

Internet infrastructure and usage is breaking records. Turkey is the country with the highest number of Faceebook users after English speaking countries. My Twitter account is continuously being followed, discussed, retweeted. Many times, Twitter is a more direct source of knowledge for me than the reports I read.

Yes, we do have some problems on Internet. Some global sites, however few in number, are unreachable in Turkey. A couple of days ago, this was asked in an interview at the CNN here in New York. I have told them what I will tell you now: this is not something about censorship. This is rather a result of the inadequacy of our tax laws, and I have been urging the government and parliament to update these laws as soon as possible. As always, theory follows practice, not vice versa, and Turkey will not be late to update its laws.

A very recent example is a clear proof of the fact that Turkey is acting fast in this respect. Not far ago, one would face investigations and trials, should he even mention about the freedom to speak different spoken languages, one of which is Kurdish, let him broadcast in Kurdish. Today, other than many private Kurdish language channels broadcasting, TRT, our state television has a Kurdish broadcasting channel, aside the Arabic and Turkic language TRT channels. 

Today, you can talk about any issue, discuss about any theme in Turkey, without any limitations and borders. As a result of a two century long evolving progress for pluralism and democracy, Turkey now stands as a country where problems are openly discussed and debated, where civil society thrives and where freedoms, human rights and the rule of law prevail above all.

Yet, coming to this point has not been easy. We paid dues. Each and every segment of Turkish society has gone through hard times. We had to question our standing, our past, our actions. We had to understand that, in the way for more liberties, in the road for more freedom, we are all together, notwithstanding our ethnic, religious, daily differences.

These examples, and many others, can be raised as proofs of Turkey’s quest for more democracy, more freedoms, more rule of law. Yet, a recent development, which took place only a couple of weeks ago, was the most pleasant, and the most important.

On the 12th of September 2010, 30 years after the military coup that created tragic results for our democracy, Turkish nation has accepted important constitutional amendments. The proposal for a comprehensive constitutional amendment package has been approved by the Turkish nation by a majority of 58 %, in a referendum where 77 per cent of the constituency voted.

These amendments, which were praised by many, from intellectuals to EU commissioners, from lawyers to world leaders, are trying, among many other things, to realize the following steps: extending the borders of personal freedoms, overhauling the election methods of the judiciary, redefining the relationship between civilian and military institutions to the advantage of democratically elected ones, increasing the number of democratic tools citizens can use, and of course, raising the level of democratic participation. Now, I am pleased to see that, after this referendum, there is a growing consensus for a brand new constitution among the political parties.

Today, speaking at Columbia University, one of the cradles of liberal thought in the world, I am proud to be the President of a country that is continuously working for a more democratic nation.

As the President of Turkey, I know that we still have a long way to go. I know that we have to raise the standards of our democracy, we have to broaden its scope, we have to enhance means of participation. Our task is certainly not over. Turkey aspires to become a world-class democracy and to benefit from the growing prosperity stemming from a competitive and knowledge-based economy.

I tell you these, as I am aware that each step we make to these ends, the problems of today will be solved one after another. 

Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

The end of Cold War marked a new international strategic environment, in which there is an abundance of pressing issues such as terrorism, extremism, energy and food security, natural disasters, epidemics, frozen or active conflicts and rebuilding distressed countries.

There is also a growing recognition that finding solutions to seemingly less tangible issues like global warming, poverty, reforming the global financial architecture and preventing cultural polarization is becoming increasingly urgent.

With the emergence of new and unforeseen challenges, the international system is bound to evolve towards a new state of equilibrium in the next decade.

In this new global setting, Turkey continues to be a constructive actor in its region and to make positive contributions to the establishment of a viable new international system. 

Turkey has been playing a crucial role in its multi-dimensional region that extends to The Balkans, East Mediterranean, the Caucuses and the Middle East and beyond.  This unique geopolitical position has created both challenges and opportunities for Turkey.

In addressing the challenges and risks, and seizing the opportunities, Turkey harbors various assets of which the most important is its dynamic and aspiring population. 

Our most important objective is to provide the nation with the highest political, economic and social standards. 

The achievement of this objective will be highly facilitated if stability and peace prevail in our neighboring regions.

A stronger commitment to upholding human rights and democracy is also central to our common quest for peace, development, and social justice in our region. We should not forget that protection and promotion of human rights are a major element of the resolution of today’s security challenges.

 Respect for human rights can help prevent conflicts, contribute to sustainable development, and also support poverty-reduction strategies.  Adherence to the rule of law and good governance is a prerequisite for consolidation of stability and progress across the globe.

 Therefore, Turkey attaches great importance to the promotion and protection of human rights as a priority area in its national and foreign policy agenda. That is why, I have started my speech with giving examples from our latest accomplishments.

 The challenges of globalization are best addressed by democratic societies. This is also the message we are spreading around.

The credibility of our message is strengthened by the fact that we have historical and cultural ties with many nations in our neighborhood searching for ways to overcome deep-rooted political, economic or security problems.

The Armenian opening is a very good example. As you will remember, I have gone to Yerevan to watch the football game between Armenia and Turkey. That game was a milestone: a milestone that looked not to the past, but to the future. And I want to keep my hope that the milestone we have accomplished with Mr Sarghisyan will be taken further.

 Hence, Turkey can draw upon its cross-cultural skills in acting as an interface that facilitates dialogue among parties in dispute and promotes harmony across different cultures.

Today, the ‘Turkish influence’ is being felt, in the most positive manner, not in the neighboring countries, but in a global scale. Turkey’s actions are being followed carefully – the last week that we spent here in New York is a clear proof of this. Turkey is a source of inspiration.

Distinguished guests,

 Turkish nation is old in history, but young in demographics. Our young, dynamic and resourceful population of 72.7 million with a moderate rate of growth gives Turkey a competitive advantage in our development efforts. In other words, Turkey’s demographics are an asset for itself and its partners including the EU.

 The structural reform process in the economy has been successful. The Turkish economy has become more resilient to major external or internal shock waves since 2002. It has managed to stay on course in spite of the world economic crisis.

 Key factors in achieving this favorable outcome were “confidence”, “stability” and “predictability”.

 Just to give a few examples:

 - Excluding 2009, the year of global crisis, the Turkish economy has grown at an annual average rate of 7.5 per cent during the past seven years.

 - As a result, Turkey has become the sixteenth largest economy in the world with a GDP (in PPP terms) fast approaching the trillion Dollar mark.

-In the first half of 2010 Turkey scored the fastest growth rate among the OECD economies, by 11 per cent.

- Total trade volume has reached 243 billion Dollars.  We are destined to reach 500 billion Dollars threshold in the coming few years.

- Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) to Turkey reached a total of 68.4 billion Dollars during the last four years (2006-2010). Even in 2009, the year of crisis, we received an FDI of 8.5 billion dollars. The FDI in the first half of 2010 was 3.2 billion dollars.

- Turkey became the country which supplies secure energy to Europe. We have accomplished this by diversifying routes from different sources with new pipelines, part of them already functioning, part of them planned.

 - Tourism is booming. 27.3 million tourists visited Turkey in 2009, placing the country among the top ten tourist destinations in the world. Turkey was the only country which increased the number of tourists arriving during 2009.

All these figures and indicators are records in themselves which could not have even been imagined before.

Turkey is also making itself known in the world through a renaissance of sorts in literature, art, sports, education and science.

It is now very likely that you will see a Turkish writer’s book on bestsellers list in any of the bookshops in NY. The same is valid for Turkish artists’ works, which can be seen in art galleries at Soho. The Turkish movies are both at Venice as well as at Sundance. The Turkish intellectual life is in a continuous progress. Our Nobel laureate writer Orhan Pamuk has been in Columbia in the past years for lectures. And I mind you, it was Turkey, who played the final game with the US in the last Basketball World Championship in Istanbul.

Distinguished guests,

Turkey is a strong NATO ally; a negotiating candidate to the European Union; a member of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, and the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organization; current Chair of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA); observer in the Arab League; strategic partner of the African Union; and thanks to other organizations that we are affiliated with Turkey is a networked and connected power. And of course, Turkey is the current chair of United Nations Security Council, which I presided yesterday in the summit session.

 I would like also to mention the Alliance of Civilizations launched by Turkey and Spain five years ago. The Alliance has become the second largest international platform after the UN itself.

 All our current efforts are aimed at building a stronger Turkey that is able to make its distinctive contributions to the world community.

 I believe that the path to an effective and fair global order goes through local building blocks as well. So, on a regional scale, Turkey is already playing an active part in shaping the future.

 Through the various regional dialogue mechanisms we have set up, many Free Trade Agreements we have signed, and the energy, communication and transportation projects we have initiated, we are beginning to create an arc of stability, cooperation and increasing welfare in areas surrounding Turkey.

 However, I don’t wish to elaborate at length our views regarding various regional topics. Let me underline that Turkish foreign policy is definitely not focused on regional issues alone.

 We strive to usher in a better global economic structure through our participation in the G-20, while being no less diligent about issues like curbing global warming, combating terrorism and other forms of cross border criminal activity, ensuring sustainable energy supplies and eradicating poverty.

Furthermore, we are keenly extending a helping hand to underdeveloped states struggling to overcome chronic problems. Without expecting anything in return, Turkey has evolved into an emerging donor. With the contribution of Turkey-based NGOs, our overall development assistance exceeds one and a half billion Dollars annually.

As all this makes clear, we are driven by a desire to make our modest contribution to the global efforts towards the betterment of mankind in all respects.

In this regard, I believe our record so far as a responsible non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council also speaks for itself.

 Ladies and gentlemen,

 So far, I talked about my country and what we achieved so far, regarding democratization, regarding peace-building and co-operation, regarding economic successes, as well as regarding Turkish accomplishments in other areas of daily life.

Turkey’s footprint at the global level is increasing day by day. Turkey is a country whose contributions can make a difference at all levels. Now, let me share with you the kind of vision I have for a better and prosperous future, in which Turkey will be an active participant.

I always believed that we need to reconsider the fundamentals of political and diplomatic language in order to construct a more prosperous, just and equal future for the world.

This is much needed today, as the drastic changes that took place in the last couple of decades have altered the basic sociological definitions and categories. More than anything, the meaning of ‘state’ is changing. Today, what we have called ‘state’ is in a position to redefine, reposition and rebrand itself.

And of course, the change is influencing what we understood from ‘international relations’ so far, altering the main definitions and understandings. The very architecture of global policy is changing.

The old balances, alliances and philosophies are giving way to new ones. Old memberships and clubs are losing meaning. That’s why, there is a continuous talk of ‘countries shifting axis’. When the very meaning of the word ‘axis’ continuously changes, ‘shifting axis’ becomes a mere polemic.

The former dichotomies of ‘East vs West’, as well as ‘South vs North’ have long lost their applicabilities. So are the categories of First, Second and Third World.

The revolution of Internet and globally available information has dramatically influenced the capacities of former power brokers. The power of media is more heterogeneous than ever. The most recent example is that of Wikileaks.

In such a setting, Turkey believes that we need to establish a new language for global context. This new language is much needed, as the old one is no cure to the problems we are facing today. Foucault said that it was language that determined the limits of power. Today, for a prosperous future, we need to redefine those limits, and we can do that through changing our language.

In the final part of my speech, I will shortly concentrate on this new language, which I will prefer to call the ‘new language of diplomacy’.

This ‘new language of diplomacy’ should be established not on ‘confrontation’ or ‘domination’, but rather on ‘coming together’ and ‘sharing power’. Furthermore, it should create global platforms where different understandings and ways of doing can come together.

This new language should be constructed not on hierarchical symbols, but on qualities and competencies. The former categories, such as First, Second and Thirld World, have to be abandoned.

The new language should be multicultural, multidimensional and heterogeneous. Unlike the former language, which was established a Euro-centric perspective, this new language must be established on universal values.

The new language must be written on principles and deeds, rather than on categories. It must take into consideration the actions, rather than subjects of the actions.

The new language shall not award winners and punish losers. It shall not prioritize among identities and must understand that identities are plural and subject to change.

It is only when we are able to establish this new language, should we be able to dream about a more prosperous future. Otherwise, the energy we spend on today’s complex issues will be a loss.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

As Turkey, we are ready and enthusiastic about such a process of renewal. We have the energy, resources and vision to participate in such a vision. That is why, we continuously and tirelessly talk about a ‘new Turkish foreign policy’.

No single factor alone makes Turkish foreign policy today, but a multitude of factors. We don’t define ourselves with the boundaries of a single region, club or issue. We strive to be active in the areas where we feel a responsibility, as a result of our historical heritage and universal belonging. We aim to be policymakers, rather than policy appliers. These three principles come together to make what we call ‘active, constructive foreign policy.’

What makes me comfortable today, after a week full of meetings and discussions at the UN, is to see that the footprint of this active and constructive foreign policy is appreciated widely. The leaders I have met, the delegations I have received, the meetings I have attended all confirm one thing: the world today is impatient for the construction of a new international architecture.

This architecture, I reiterate in my conclusion, should be established on this entirely new language. Otherwise, we will continue to live the endless cycles of problems that we are living today.

As Turkey, we are determined to work for a better world based on the principles of justice, equality and freedom. A better world is possible. For this, we need to stand together around a shared vision of future. As a famous song said, ‘together we stand, divided we fall’.

 Thank you.