Turkey's axis is shifting in foreign policy, human rights, says former ambassador

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Ministers and senior figures of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) have lashed out at a joint statement by 10 countries, including the US, France and Germany, about the prolonged arrest of businessperson Osman Kavala.

Yesterday (October 19), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the ambassadors of those countries.

CLICK - Turkey summons 10 ambassadors to Foreign Ministry over statement on Kavala

Retired Ambassador Yalım Eralp says these developments indicate a "shift of axis" in both foreign policy and human rights.

How do you evaluate the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' summoning the 10 ambassadors who published this statement?

I find this reaction excessive. From time to time, our ambassadors, let's say, in the US, may react and make statements.

For this reason, I consider the statements of the 10 ambassadors normal. It might be called inappropriate and so on but I think Turkey's reaction was too much.

Is it thought similar reactions won't come because ambassadors are summoned to the ministry after making statements? If ambassadors don't, states do. So, there will be reactions anyway. Because there is a European Court of Human Rights ruling.

Turkey had long since decided to accept the decisions of the ECtHR.

Erdoğan said, "We aren't off to a good start with Biden." How do you think it is going?

It's not going well. Because there is the S-400 problem. This is an important problem for America and NATO. It seems unlikely that other issues will be solved without solving this one.

Now, there was an offer from Turkey to buy 80 F-16s and renovate 40 of them. It's very difficult to pass such a through the congress.

The renovation of the F-16s may pass, but I see serious obstacles for a new arms sale.

Relations with NATO are in fact dependent on the relations with America became the United States of America is the greatest power of NATO. I don't think the statements NATO officials sometimes make, like "Turkey is an important ally," change anything.

Is it possible for Turkey to change this "bad start"? What steps should be taken?

Making a move is very difficult. To make a move, Turkey's approach to Russia in terms of strategic affairs and weapons should be reversed.

The Biden administration seems to have a more pronounced attitude towards the administration of Turkey compared to the Obama and Trump administrations.

This is also related to Turkey's worsening image. I think its stance on human rights, its stance in the region, and its somewhat aggressive and militarist stance also have an effect.

Turkey now needs to take very serious steps. Turkey seems to be in a shift of axis in both human rights and its policies. (PT/VK)