Challenges to the Security of the South Caucasus Countries and NATO - 2016: Page 4 of 9
19 July, 2016
when the public extrajudicial executions of the rebels and the terrible repression of those against the current authorities started. There were calls for Turkey to respect its obligations to NATO, to respect human rights and democratic standards. These rights and standards of course were never observed in Turkey, but judging by how the American national channels covered the events of the coup, we can say that the power centers in Washington are not ready to really and seriously consider the removal of Turkey from NATO, and this are just reproaches and threats yet.
Laura Baghdasaryan - I think that the comparison of Turkey's current actions related to ISIS with Turkey's 1974 military operation in Cyprus is not appropriate in terms of perception both in NATO and in member states. By the way, the actions were criticized not only by Russia but also by a number of Western countries and representatives in the recent past. Cyprus 1974 and cooperation with ISIS in different matters are multifarious challenges. Cyprus was a local action, the consequences of which affected itself and only, While ISIS and generally international terrorism- are not very clear substances, without clear borders of and unpredictable geography of actions that are taking place as well within the territories of member states of NATO- an Organization, designed to primarily address security issues of its members. Victims and explosions are no longer pictures on TV, where they tell you about inhuman crimes of some terrorists somewhere far from NATO borders. This are now quite tangible non virtual images for the ordinary Europeans.
I think that this is a strong irritant for Turkey's ratings. Another aspect related to Turkey is the remaining possibility of its islamization, which is also an irritant for the ordinary Europeans, at least due to the same terrorist threats.
Another thing is that yes, Turkey was and probably will remain an important member for NATO, and largely due to NATO's strategic interests in this basin. As Ukraine was important for Russia due to Russia's interests in the Black Sea basin. Although after Abkhazia and Crimea, Russia managed to solve this problem.
Hanna Shelest - We have already raised the question of NATO enlargement and of deployment of forces on the eastern flanks, paying no attention to the fact that Turkey is actively expanding its military and advisory presence on its own (not representing NATO's interests). Participation of Turkish military in Georgian army reform was well known as far back as in the mid-2000s. In March 2016, the construction of Turkish modern military school was announced in Kyrgyzstan. The project cost made about 30 million USD. Today (21 July) Aliyev confirmed allocation of two military facilities in the territory of Azerbaijan that will be at the disposal of Turkish military. In addition, in recent months a number of serious agreements in military and military-technical spheres was signed between Ukraine and Russia. An interesting thing is that Russia has always sort of perceived Turkey apart from its NATO membership. Anyway, I have never heard any sharp statements from the
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