The Middle East

Turkey’s diplomatic efforts for a peaceful resolution of the Iraqi crisis received widespread praise this week, though a meeting of regional foreign ministers in Istanbul had less impact on events than many in Ankara had hoped.

Turkey’s government launched a major diplomatic initiative during this week aimed at its southern, Middle Eastern neighbours ahead of a possible US-led invasion of Iraq.

Despite heavy US pressure, the leader of Turkey’s ruling party fought shy of making a clear commitment on Turkish support for an American-led invasion of Iraq in Washington this week.

With the European Union deciding to wait two more years before deciding whether to start accession talks with Turkey, the EU Copenhagen summit seems to have been a setback for Turkey’s new government.

Conflicting statements coming out of Ankara concerning the US military’s possible use of Turkey’s airbases came as yet another episode in Washington’s efforts to increase pressure on Iraq to comply with UN weapons inspectors. On December 3rd, Turkey's Foreign Minister Yasar Yakis said during a visit by US Deputy Defence Secretary Paul Wolfowitz that Turkey would allow the bases' use – but only if the United Nations approved the use of force.

The newly elected Turkish government is in a race against time to meet criteria required by European leaders if Turkey is to be considered for permanent membership in the EU. Two issues are at stake that are certain to influence the course of Turkey’s accession: reforms and Cyprus.