Turkey's bold new visa diplomacy

Notes internacionals CIDOB, núm. 12

“You won’t need a visa to travel from Amman or Beirut to Edirne. It is of great importance because we will get rid of artificial borders.” Turkish Primer Minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

The free movement of people is emerging as an increasingly significant factor in Turkey’s foreign relations. The growing prominence of mobility in political debate reflects the rising attention that Turkey is paying to its neighbours. While this policy has specific strategic and economic objectives, ordinary people are beginning to benefit from its trickle-down effects. This is the case for Devrim Günçe, export manager at Knauf Turkey, a supplier of building materials. For this Turkish businessman from Izmit, travelling to neighbouring countries is becoming easier by the day. Recently, Turkey began lifting visa requirements with a series of neighbours: In October 2009, visas with Syria and Qatar were abolished, Jordan and Libya followed in November 2009 and Lebanon in January 2010. Russia, Ukraine, Saudi Arabia and Egypt could soon be added to the list. Meanwhile, obtaining a visa to travel to EU countries remains a very complex procedure for Turkish citizens.

Many observers argue that the current Turkish government, inspired by Foreign Affairs Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, has brought about a major transformation in Turkey’s foreign policy. The approach involves a broad diversification of Turkey’s foreign policy priorities with a number of primary objectives in mind: reinforcing Turkey’s prominence in the international arena; resolving existing bilateral disputes, particularly with its immediate neighbours; strengthening those factors which can increase Turkey’s soft power, notably in the Muslim world. There is no doubt that its immediate neighbours have become more central to Turkey’s foreign policy in recent years. Turkey’s involvement in the search for a resolution to the Arab-Israeli conflict (including the failed Syria-Israel negotiations), its participation in Middle Eastern initiatives and the rehabilitation of bilateral relations with several Arab countries are all indicators of this new orientation. As expressed by one Turkish politician, Amman was a minor embassy some years ago; it has now become an important posting for a Turkish diplomat.