Ambassador Faruk Kaymakc?, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs & Director for EU Affairs of Türkiye is paying a visit to Tirana to conduct political consultations with his Albanian counterpart. Albanian Daily News had the opportunity of an interview with the seasoned diplomat who has a long and rich experience in European issues, the Balkans, not to mention his service as part of NATO Senior Civilian Representative’s Office in Kabul (2004-05) and as his country’s top envoy in Iraq.

Mr. Kaymakci praises our excellent state-to-state relations, which are first of all based on the human connection. “Albania is a very important partner for Türkiye in terms of our efforts towards the peace and stability in the Balkans. We share the view that the stability of the Balkans is of vital importance for the stability of the rest of Europe,” says Ambassador Kaymakci.

An interesting viewpoint is the statement of Turkish Deputy FM, according to which “we do not agree with the term “Western Balkans”. It is an artificial term created by the EU to single out Türkiye from other EU candidate countries in the region. There is no East, West, North, South Balkans. We consider the region as a whole”.

Further on, Mr. Faruk Kaymakci speaks about the current situation in the region and his country’s role; the effect of the war in Ukraine, the stage of Turkiye’s accession talks with the European Union and other issues. Read below the complete interview:  

- In the first place let me, Deputy Minister, express the pleasure of Albanian Daily News to share with you some opinions in the frame of your visit to Albania and of course, on top of all, ADN’s readers would be interested to learn from you on the state of the relations between Albania and Türkiye.

- Thank you very much. I am glad to meet our Albanian brothers and sisters as well as the diplomatic community and expatriates in Albania through your publication. Türkiye and Albania enjoy excellent relations. In 2021, we formally became Strategic Partners through a Joint Declaration signed in Ankara by President Erdo?an and Prime Minister Rama. Since then, bilateral relations have gained significant momentum. Mutual visits have increased and our cooperation in all fields has substantially intensified, especially by means of numerous agreements that were concluded. Our trade volume will exceed the level of 1 billion USD this year. Türkiye is among the biggest foreign investors in Albania. Total volume of our investments has exceeded 3,5 billion Dollars. 600 Turkish companies are operating, mainly in the services sector.

No doubt, the basis of our excellent state-to-state relations, is the human connection. For over 500 years, Turks and Albanians have been walking together. Our friendship and habit of living together date back to centuries ago. Our socio-cultural similarities find reflection in language, family ties, social structure, cuisine and lifestyle, emanating from our shared history and bringing us even closer. Although we do not share geographical borders, we consider Albania as a neighbor from the heart. As two Allied Balkan countries and EU candidate countries, we are determined to further our cooperation with Albania in every field as we are heading to the centennial of the establishment of our diplomatic relations in 2023.

- As a follow up, which is the significance of your visit to Tirana regarding the bilateral relations, particularly in the field of foreign policy taking into consideration the latest developments in the Balkans, Europe and the world all of them considered in the context of the Russian-Ukrainian war? 

- As I mentioned we enjoy close relations in all aspects with Albania as strategic partners. President Erdogan and Prime Minister Rama had the opportunity to meet on several occasions throughout the year, as did our Foreign Ministers. They always discuss current developments within the region on the framework of these meetings. Apart from the bilateral relations, we also had an exchange of opinions regarding regional developments and global affairs during the political consultations as well as my contacts in Tirana.

Türkiye and Albania always support each other in international platforms. Albania is a very important partner for Türkiye in terms of our efforts towards the peace and stability in the Balkans. We share the view that the stability of the Balkans is of vital importance for the stability of the rest of Europe. Within the framework of our objective and inclusive policies towards the Balkans, we will continue to cooperate with Albania. We also follow Albania’s efforts towards closer regional cooperation, such as the Open Balkan initiative.

The war in Ukraine, and its potential spillover effects in the region, made cooperation between Türkiye and Albania - two prominent countries in the Balkans- even more crucial. We are glad that Albania has become a non-permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) at a very critical time. We believe Albania will provide constructive support to international peace and security efforts during their tenure as a UNSC member.

- Speaking of the Balkans, Deputy Minister, which is the assessment of Türkiye regarding the current situation in the Western Balkans and how much can its diplomacy influence on avoiding conflicts there and contribute to a stable and peaceful Balkans?

- First of all, let me clarify that we do not agree with the term “Western Balkans”. It is an artificial term created by the EU to single out Türkiye from other EU candidate countries in the region. There is no East, West, North, South Balkans. We consider the region as a whole. We are on the same boat.

Having said that, the situation is unfortunately fragile in the region. The pandemic hit the region’s economy and the recovery has been slower than desired. Now with the Russia-Ukraine War new fragilities surfaced due to food and energy insecurity and the flow of migration. There is ongoing political instability in several countries and there are also some common challenges.

Türkiye believes that diplomacy should be the only tool in resolving the regional problems. Thus we follow constructive, inclusive and objective policies towards the Balkans. As a regional country, our interest is in maintaining peace and stability/increasing welfare in the region.

We try to promote peace and stability in the region through several mediums. We develop close bilateral ties through high-level visits increased trade volumes and investments and cultural cooperation. We support and empower regional cooperation efforts such as the South East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) and its operational arm Regional Cooperation Council (RCC). We established trilateral consultative mechanisms (Türkiye - BiH - Serbia and Türkiye - BiH-Croatia) to encourage constructive dialogue. Our stance is appreciated by most and therefore, Türkiye is one of the rare actors who can talk to all actors in the region.

- There are suppositions in certain European chancelleries about the renewed desire of Türkiye for regional hegemony. What could you say on such hypothesis implying a ‘comeback of Türkiye’ after a century-long hiatus? 

- These ridiculous ramblings should not even deserve an answer, but let me be very clear. There is no “comeback”, there is no “return” because there is no actual separation. Türkiye is an integral part of the Balkans in every way. Some European circles, as I have just explained, would like to artificially divide the Balkan region, using made-up geographical terms such as the West Balkans, try to depict Türkiye as an external actor in the region. They purposefully try to overlook that we have profound political, economic, demographical ties that dates back centuries.

Building on these existing historical ties, we continue to further develop cooperation with all our Balkan neighbors through bilateral relations, through regional cooperation initiatives and through the special advisory mechanisms that I have already mentioned.

I would like to underline that Türkiye is not a rival to the European Union in the Balkans. We are an important partner to achieve results in favor of the entire region. We are a constructive regional actor who knows that the peace, stability and prosperity in the Balkans will be beneficial to all of Europe, including Türkiye. We are an ardent supporter of the EU integration of the Balkan countries including ours. We believe that the future of the Balkans (which includes Türkiye) is in the EU and furthermore, the inclusion of the Balkans in the EU is inevitable, if the EU wants to stay geopolitically relevant.

-The European Union, the Berlin Process and the Open Balkans. These are key topics high on the agenda of the Western Balkans with the latter initiative being launched a few years ago. European Parliament expressed reservations on the Open Balkans, focusing on the Berlin Process - a ten-year old initiative. Do you think that the Open Balkans project with 3 countries part of it is effective now as all the WB countries are part of the Berlin Process, including Kosovo, and its targets aim at promoting the EU accession process of the regional countries?

- Türkiye supports all initiatives that aim to increase stability, peace and prosperity in the Balkans. Within this regard, we strongly support the Balkans countries’ EU aspirations. We believe the future of the Balkans, including Türkiye is in the EU. The Berlin Process has been ongoing for a while and during the last summit in Berlin, the attending Balkan countries made a very important decision to remove barriers to freedom of movement, to travel with ID cards within the region. We welcome this agreement, we believe it will create a positive ground for EU accession processes of the signing countries.

On the other hand, we also support regional cooperation mechanisms. Our Foreign Minister attended the last Open Balkans Summit meeting in Belgrade. All the participating countries, Albania, Serbia and North Macedonia are EU candidate countries whose accession negotiations are underway. We do not see why it should be seen as an alternative to the EU membership. We regard it as complementary to Balkan’s EU integration process.

- Türkiye’s EU accession process continues to be deadlocked, but both sides give positive signals from time to time keeping all options open something which is demonstrated by several high level dialogue meetings over the last months. Do you think that the Russian-Ukrainian war has rung a bell in Brussels that there should be a reconsideration of the stance towards Turkey’s accession process? Allow me to recall that during the Cold War the eastern front of NATO was defended by Turkish armed forces, something which was highly appreciated by the US and other major powers of the Alliance.

- The Russia-Ukraine war has reignited the geopolitical relevance of Türkiye both for the EU and for NATO and it has revealed that Türkiye-EU cooperation is a matter of inevitability. The Union has often stated its desire to transform itself into a stronger security and defense actor – but it has not always acted on it. The war in Ukraine has highlighted Europe’s continued dependence on NATO for its security and defence. The need for NATO is very much alive, so is the notion of collective defense. Therefore, enhancing the EU-NATO cooperation is a strategic necessity, not a short-term measure against the war. On the other hand, strategic partnership between the two organizations and full engagement of Türkiye as a non-EU ally are interlinked. In the face of current challenges, involvement of candidate Türkiye in the EU security architecture is more important than ever. The Cyprus issue or any other problem must not be an obstacle to NATO-EU cooperation and Türkiye’s inclusion in EU initiatives such as EDA, PESCO as well as the CSDP missions and operations. Instead, at a time when our core values are threatened, we should strengthen Türkiye-EU cooperation and develop a common understanding in tackling the challenges that we have faced.

Türkiye is contributing to the EU in many areas ranging from security and defence to post-pandemic recovery, energy, connectivity and migration. However, there is an untapped potential in the relations and we must move beyond the current stalemate. The EU is aware of this fact and I believe at one point they will overcome the “membership solidarity trap” and abuse of veto right against candidate countries. Those member states which abuse the EU membership solidarity and veto right are also responsible for the slow pace of reforms in candidate countries and lack of progress of the EU towards a geopolitical EU. The global system is rapidly changing and we are heading to a multi polar world. If Europe wants to remain as the defender of the rules-based world order and open market economy it has to expand its world view, first and foremost to the European continent

- What do you think about the perspective of the membership of the region’s countries, which are in different stages of the accession process?

- The integration of all Balkan countries to Euro-Atlantic institutions, without any discrimination, has been one of the main priorities of our Balkan policy. The future of the region, which Türkiye also belongs to, is within the EU. However, as we all know the slow pace of the accession process has caused lack of motivation in the candidate countries and has also undermined the EU’s credibility. Of course, integration is a “two ways street” and it requires mutual commitment. Yet, the responsibility largely lies with the EU. Thus we are glad that enlargement is back on the EU agenda. We welcome the decision to open the accession negotiations with Albania and North Macedonia. We hope that this positive development accelerates the overall pace of the EU enlargement process and ends the artificial division between enlargement countries like Western Balkans and Türkiye. We are all candidate countries, now with Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia, we are 10 enlargement countries.

As a candidate country, which has been expecting concrete and meaningful steps from the EU for a long time, we understand the disappointment of the other candidate countries. The EU should re-boost the accession perspectives of Türkiye and the Balkan countries indeed with 10 enlargement countries, with a clear sign and determination to take them in within a reasonable timetable. To be able to do this, the EU should revise its enlargement strategy as well as enlargement acquis. Of course, the conditionality and merit-based approach must remain in place. There must be a single coherent accession process and a clear path for all 10 countries. At the same time, the EU should not consider the accession process purely as a bureaucratic and mechanical box ticking. Because the enlargement is and must be a living mechanism and it is only successful whenever it adopts to the shifting geo-political landscape and dynamic global conditions.

-Deputy Minister, you attended the Union for Mediterranean 7th Regional Forum, which was held in Barcelona a few days ago at a time when this important region faces many challenges which become more challenging against the background of the Ukraine war. Albania is also a member of this Union. According to you, given its position what risks threaten Mediterranean and how much effective is the declared ‘spirit of practical cooperation’ to prevent conflicts and manage migration?

- At the 7th Regional Forum of the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM), we agreed on “the need to further intensify regional cooperation and integration to face common challenges such as high unemployment rates, the climate emergency, and the imbalanced growth in a disintegrated region – all which the war in Ukraine has ultimately deteriorated.” We also underlined the wide-ranging consequences of the Ukrainian crisis on both shores of the Mediterranean.

None of the challenges could be overcome by a single nation. We believe that there must be a strong and determined stance by the whole of the region. To achieve this, we need more connectivity between both shores of the Mediterranean as agreed during the meeting.

On our part, Türkiye is trying to do its best in tackling with these intertwined and complex challenges. As it was stated in the conclusions of the UfM, Türkiye continues to work on preventing a food crisis in the region in the context of the Black Sea Grain Initiative.

Since the beginning of the Syrian crisis, we underlined the importance of international cooperation. The recent mass migration out of Ukraine has demonstrated that migration can occur anytime, anywhere around the world. No country is immune from the challenges posed by migration. In the context of this approach, we established a multi-dimensional cooperation mechanism with the EU, namely the 18 March Statement. The Statement is based on a balance between controlling irregular migration flows to the EU and revitalizing Türkiye-EU relations towards membership. Much progress has been achieved on the migration aspect. On the other hand, due to political blockages and unwillingness, progress on other dimensions remained limited. Root causes must be addressed for long-term and sustainable solutions to migration challenges. Humanitarian and development assistance is necessary while ensuring peace, stability, and sustainable development in the long term is essential. Burden and responsibility-sharing with the countries most affected by irregular migration is critical.

Türkiye deems cooperation on migration important and is ready to enhance the on-going cooperation with the EU at all levels. Nevertheless, that is not and must not be the bedrock of relations. A fresh look and a holistic approach towards the 18 March Statement in its entirety is imperative. In this regard, we expect the EU to work with Türkiye on revisiting the 18 March Statement with all of its dimensions. 

-To conclude, Deputy Minister Kaymakc?, this is your first visit to Albania, but, in any case, which are your impressions of the people of this Balkan country, its history and culture, and its political and economic potential in the region in the eyes of Ankara?   

- Yes, this was my first time here in Albania and I really felt that I should have visited your beautiful country earlier. From what I observed here during my short visit, I can say that the two nations share a lot in common especially in terms of culture. The only difference is the language. Here in Albania I can genuinely say that I felt at home. Albania has many advantages that will help her make a relatively fast progress in its EU integration efforts. With the accession talks now started, we increasingly encourage Turkish investment and business circles to come to Albania. Incentives offered by the host country are always helpful to attract more direct investments.

Unfortunately, brain drain is a common challenge in our region. The youth needs to see their future in their own country. Creation of a fertile investment climate and offering jobs are key in ensuring this. Of one final note, as the Director of EU Affairs I am trying to promote bicycles as a means of commute in Ankara, especially during each European Mobility Week. I really enjoyed seeing many people riding bicycles in the lanes reserved for that purpose in Tirana. I look forward to revisiting Albania soon to complete my tour through the entire country.