Security Conference on “Democratization and Security in Central Eurasia”

Ulrich Irmer lecturing on Iran

In partnership with the Friedrich Naumann Foundation Istanbul office, the ARI Movement has organized its 9th Annual International Security Conference on June 14-15. “Central Eurasia” gifted by rich natural sources, has a significant geopolitical position. However, this position makes the region the center stage of geopolitical power-games. Like the previous ones, this conference aimed to create discussion platforms that bring together international experts, opinion leaders, official authorities and academics to discuss and debate important issues related to Turkey and her region.

Keynote speeches were held by Kemal Koprulu, Founding Chairman of ARI Movement and by the USA Ambassador, Ross Wilson. Mr. Wilson stressed the importance of settling cooperation between Turkey and Iraq to avoid from founding of unwanted organizations.

First session has focused on Iran. Especially, Iranian nuclear challenge for regional and global balances. Ulrich Irmer- Former Speaker of Foreign Policy of German Liberal Party, pointed out that “…Iran itself is a complicated issue and cannot be separated from neighboring countries, from Europe, from the USA and from all other partners. All the partners should be brought together and all the problematic issues should be put on the table. Otherwise, without communication, no fruitful step can be taken. “

Ulrich Irmer, Belma Bagdat (FNSt), Cem Toker (Chairman Liberal Democratic Party Turkey)

At the second session, Afghanistan was analyzed by two academicians, Bulent Aras and Zeynep Alemdar, by one Afghanistan Analyst – Amin Tarzi from Radio Free Europe and by two NATO employee, Stefanie Babst, Deputy Assistant Secretary General for Public Diplomacy and Hikmet Cetin, Former Senior Civilian Representative in Afghanistan. For the participants, it was interesting first to listen the theoretical speeches done by academicians and later to listen the implementation and last situation of Afghanistan from the experts. Various problems of the country, from Islamic fundamentalism, terrorism to drug trafficking were discussed by the panelists. Cetin stated that “Security can also be settled by economic and social stability, not only by military forces. The only means of existence of Afghan people is coming from opium production. That’s why, Afghanistan needs economic alternatives, opportunities.”

Last session’s topic was the energy corridor between East and West. Russia’s control over the energy flow, how Russia monopolized gas via GAZPROM, importance of Azerbaijan, plans made to reduce Russia’s monopoly, alternative pipelines “Baku-Ceylan-Tbilisi” and “Turkey-Greece-Italy”, on the other hand the place of China, India, the need of energy of North Africa, etc. were the hot discussion issues. Khazar Ibrahim from Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan took the last words and recommended Armenia not to isolate itself anymore from the global energy policies.

Belma Bagdat
Project Assistant FNF-Istanbul