Tehran(Bazaar): The repeated frustration in integrating into the West has made Turkey ramp up its efforts to "Look East." Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan reportedly said he was considering membership of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) for his country. A successful bid would make Turkey the first member of the NATO to join the Eurasian group.
In this regard and considering the importance of this matter, Dr. Levent Ersin Orallı, Ankara HVB University Prof. tells Bazaar in an exclusive interview that Turkey's contact with the Shanghai Cooperation Organization is at an important stage and there is a long period of time to reveal the opinion that this process will lead to full membership.
He also explains that the economic relations have been disrupted due to the embargoes imposed on Iran for decades, but Turkey has made great efforts to ensure Iran's economic independence and to achieve results in nuclear negotiations.
The whole interview is as follows:
Bazaar:Turkey recently announced that it wants to become a member of Shanghai. Given that this country is a member of NATO, is such a thing possible?
Dr. Levent Ersin Orallı: Turkey's contact with the Shanghai Cooperation Organization is at an important stage. However, there is a long period of time to reveal the opinion that this process will lead to full membership.
Turkey has been an actor of the Western world for many years and has developed its organizations with the Western world. Therefore, direct membership in the Shanghai process does not seem possible in the short term. Otherwise, its commitment to NATO and other alliances will suffer. This situation will harm Turkey's other alliance relations. Therefore, it would be beneficial not to rush the development of this relationship.
Bazaar:To what extent does Turkey's membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization affect relations with Iran?
Dr. Levent Ersin Orallı: It would be correct to consider Turkey-Iran relations independently of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. For many years, two powerful states in the same geography have developed alliances and cooperation in a problem-solving position.
However, there are also problem areas between the two countries. Countries need to develop more cooperation in cooperation with terrorism. In particular, the two states act on the same idea regarding the territorial integrity of Syria and Iraq. Economic relations have been disrupted due to the embargoes imposed on Iran for decades, but Turkey has made great efforts to ensure Iran's economic independence and to achieve results in nuclear negotiations. The Shanghai process will strengthen neighborly relations and economic relations.
Bazaar:To what extent is Iran's permanent membership in Shanghai economically and commercially beneficial to Iran? What are the benefits of membership in this organization for Iran?
Dr. Levent Ersin Orallı: Shanghai Cooperation Organization is of great importance for Iran to act independently in economic terms. The economic alliance formed with China and Russia will support Iran's development, especially in order to get rid of the embargoes applied in recent years and to increase its economy.
Along with free trade agreements and the Customs Union model, Iran has the ability to overcome obstacles, especially in the sale of energy resources and import of raw materials, under the umbrella of the organization.
Bazaar:Some analysts believe that Iran's permanent membership in Shanghai may lead to the dominance of Iran's policy of looking to the east. Can Iran pursue a balanced policy ?
Dr. Levent Ersin Orallı: Iran's relations with the western world have been interrupted especially due to its nuclear activities. The Western world has expressed its discomfort arising from Iran's regional policies with economic embargoes.
These sanctions have political and economic consequences in Iran, which is an important power in the region. Thanks to its membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, Iran will be able to solve these economic problems and bring its relations with Central Asian and East Asian States to an important point.
Thus, Iran will gain diversity with a new alternative foreign policy understanding, both politically and economically, and will achieve a strong economic growth momentum.
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