IR Students Hold VideoTeleconference with NATO
The Department of International Relations held a videoteleconference with NATO headquarters in Brussels on December 1, 2011, marking the 60th anniversary of Turkey's membership in NATO. The conference was organized by IR Professor Yüksel İnan in cooperation with NATO's Public Diplomacy Division.
Özge Öğütcü (NATO Public Diplomacy Division officer) was the moderator during the conference. The session focused on three major issues facing the global community, and NATO's policies regarding these issues. After each presentation Bilkent IR students, including exchange students, offered comments and asked incisive questions that raised points for further discussion.
In the first presentation, Ambassador Hüseyin Diriöz (Assistant Secretary General for Defense Policy and Planning) outlined NATO's new strategic concept, and also spoke about Turkey's membership in the organization. He highlighted the "threat perception" of NATO and Turkey's security concerns. A key point he made during his speech was that Turkey is important for NATO in terms of its constructive ties in the region, and NATO is important for Turkey.
The second speaker, Tugay Tunçer (Political Officer for Central Asia, Political Affairs and Security Division), talked about NATO's role in the Caucasus and Central Asia. He highlighted the importance of Euro-Atlantic integration and partnership. Turkey's relatively new relations with Russia, Iran and Syria were also discussed, mostly during the question period, as was the possibility of Georgia, Azerbaijan and Armenia becoming NATO members, and Russia's probable reaction to this.
In the last presentation, Dr. Rolf Schwarz (NATO Political Affairs and Security Policy Division officer) gave information related to NATO's Mediterranean Dialogue, the Istanbul Cooperation Initiative and recent developments in the region commonly referred to as the "Arab Spring." One of the most important points Dr. Schwartz made concerned the organization's perspective on security policies, and the extent to which security can be achieved and maintained not only within but also beyond NATO's borders. From NATO's viewpoint, the developments of the Arab Spring are a domestic issue, but if there is a need for NATO's assistance, the organization stands ready to help countries of the region with their transitions.
At the close of the teleconference, Prof. İnan and the speakers and the moderator had a pleasant interchange regarding past experiences at NATO. The IR students in the audience greatly appreciated the opportunity to interact with NATO staff members, including the assistant secretary general. In addition, the possibility was raised of the students being invited to NATO headquarters for a study visit.
By Filiz Yılma (IR/IV) &Sevcan Birdal (IR/V)