Turkey Makes their Goals Clear

By TOMOMI YOSHIHAMA
Published: December 12, 2009

ANKARA — Turkey has released an official public statement. Turkey has already made clear their willingness to cooperate in the fight against the problem of climate change on the draft resolution from six countries. The Press Secretary of Turkey told the NYT that they still have a strong commitment to address the issues of climate change and ensure sustainable development. “Our hope [is] for a contract that will demonstrate that all countries have agreed that climate change is a real and pressing issue and are willing to make a firm commitment to solutions based on common but differentiated responsibilities”.

According to the Turkish Press Secretary, one of their largest problems regarding climate change is the Mediterranean Basin, specifically the erosion, control and the protection of water resources which are essential. “Climate change will affect daily life in a number of ways, ranging from physical and natural environment, agriculture, food security, clean water and health”, the press secretary continued. For Turkey, the climate change problem is a serious issue.

Currently, Turkey is in the midst of an economic transition and a high unemployment rate. Three Turkish police officers were shot outside the American Consulate in July 2008 and as a result, political uncertainty continues. One of their first concerns is the problem of the EU accession, as well as the strong commitment to this Security Council meeting and therefore showing an attitude of cooperation to the global issues. This will hopefully accelerate the process of Turkey’s EU accession regardless of political, economic and social problems.

However, the challenge is that it might be difficult to achieve the numerical goal aspired to by the EU but for the transfer of renewable energy technologies from developed countries. Turkey states clearly that prior to their endorsement for economic development is obtaining sufficient support from other countries on their public statement. If they are considering the strong commitment to the environmental problem as one of the strategies to remain closely aligned with the EU countries, it could be weak. They are welcoming the day with some expectations toward the legally-binding issue for tackling the global common problem and by proxy, their own unclear future.