Turkey’s Neighborhood Policy since 2002

SILK ROAD FORUM with Dr. Suat Kiniklioglu

Friday, May 8, 2009, 12:00-13:30

During the first term in power of the Justice and Development Party (AKP), Turkey focused strongly on European Union harmonization while being preoccupied also by the situation in Iraq and its effects on Turkey. Since re-election in 2007, however, the AKP government has re-energized its Eastern vocation, becoming increasingly active both in the Middle East and in the former Soviet Union. These policies have included a stability initiative in the South Caucasus, a mediator’s role in Syrian-Israeli relations, as well as seeking a general improvement of relations with countries to the East. While gaining much praise from Europe and others, Turkish policies have also generated controversy both in the Caucasus and in the Middle East. Is Turkey fulfilling its potential of becoming a regional power in its neighborhood? Dr. Suat Kiniklioglu, Deputy Chairman of External Affairs of the ruling AKP, will present his perspectives on this issue.

Dr. Suat Kiniklioglu is Deputy Chairman of the AKP and spokesman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Turkish Grand National Assembly. Prior to being elected to parliament in 2007, Dr. Kiniklioglu served as Director of the Ankara office of the German Marshall Fund of the United States, and as Director for the Center for Turkish Policy Studies. He holds a Ph.D. in Political Science from Bilkent University, Ankara.

Lunch: A sandwich lunch will be served

Location: ISDP, Västra Finnbodavägen 2, Stockholm-Nacka. For a map and directions, please go here.

To attend: RSVP to Ms. Martina Klimesova at mklimesova@isdp.eu