State Wisdom in Our Relations with Egypt

You may be asking yourself these days, how did it come about, how did it enter such a trend of improvement while Turkey-Egypt relations were going downside down in a negative way? While you are thinking about the causes of these, you are also trying to find solutions, as perhaps they should be. You don't need to go any further. Undoubtedly, if you are looking for a logical answer to this question, look no further, let's say it, in two words. The most logical answer that can be given to this question is the 'reason of the state'. State reason is not just an ordinary discourse, but a doctrine, a doctrine or an approach. One of the most important concepts reflecting the characteristic features of the modern state, "state mind" is a concept that emerged as a term in modern Western Europe in the 16th century and became widespread in the 17th century. So it is scientific. In its most general sense, the 'reason of state doctrine' is about 'managing' the state as a whole and expresses a certain understanding of administration and political attitude. The understanding of politics and administration envisaged by the state mind points to a state-centered mentality and a "statist" attitude. Such a mentality and philosophy, on the other hand, finds the legitimacy of the state within the state itself and sees the state as the highest value. The state mind aims to protect the state without being concerned with the origin and legitimacy of the state. (1) In other words, making the state eternal is the main aim in the doctrine of state reason. The motto "State, eternally" is the most prominent feature of this teaching.

As an indirect attitude, the 'state mentality doctrine' has always been dominant in the continuation of Turkey-Egypt relations from the very beginning. The mentality of the state is one of the most important mentality changes in the modernization process of the Ottoman Empire. To express this mentality change in another way, I can say that the state mind of the Republic of Turkey inherited from its predecessor, the Ottoman Empire. This understanding dictates an undeniably clear situation. It is an undeniable fact that the intelligence of the state in intelligence, diplomatic and economic relations; In an extraordinary situation or in a period of tension, interstate relations must be maintained without interruption. It should not be forgotten that when there is a break in bilateral relations, the public perceives it as a lack of trust. However, this situation cannot be explained or reconciled with any general rule or any legal principle. “Reason of state” is a principle of “wisdom of government” that has passed into Turkish, like the terms “raison d'étad” in French, “Staatsräson” or “Staatsraison” in German, “ragione di stato” in Italian and “reason of state” in English. . The 'wisdom of government tradition', which has an important place in Turkish political life, necessitates the necessity of protecting the supreme interests of the state, which means more than the visible state with its superior position in terms of importance. There is a continuity between the Ottoman Empire and the Republic of Turkey in accordance with the principle of succession in interstate relations. Although its essence remains constant, it is thought that this approach has changed its position in line with the changing power balances and thus has become a resistant feature of political culture. It should not be forgotten that in the diplomatic life, the relations between the two countries are never reset, interstate relations may be lowered, but they continue uninterruptedly, especially in the field of intelligence, diplomatic and economic interests and interests. The relations between Turkey and Egypt have continued, thanks to the principle of state reason, and they still continue today. As a matter of fact, diplomatic relations between Turkey and Egypt have continued mutually at the level of charge d'affaires since 2013.

Now let's turn our gaze to the breaking point of Turkey-Egypt relations. As you know, June 30, 2012 is an important turning point in terms of the first transparent presidential elections in Egypt's transformation into democracy, which has been ruled by soldiers since the second half of the 20th century. The Tahrir revolution has taken an important step in the consolidation and consolidation of democracy. Mohammed Morsi, the candidate of the Brotherhood and the Muslim Brotherhood, became the first President of Egypt to take office through democratic means with a 51.7 percent majority, a rate similar to the elections in Turkey. The victory of Mohammed Morsi, with the support of the Muslim Brotherhood, in the first election held under the auspices of the UN in Egypt, which is literally a tutelage country, has led to increased hopes for the democratization of Egypt. From another point of view, the fact that Morsi is the first President of Egypt to be elected with the free will and vote of the people in the history of democracy is an obstacle to the liberation of democracy from tutelage. 

It also raised the hope that they could be removed. About a month and a half after the election, on August 12, 2012, Morsi appointed Chief of General Staff Abdulfettah es-Sisi to the same post, replacing Egyptian Defense Minister Marshal Hussein Tantavi, who led the transition period after the January 25 revolution. A month later, with a great foreboding, Prime Minister Erdogan visited Egypt on September 12, 2012, which is a very important day in terms of the history of coups in Turkey. Evaluating the coexistence of Turkey and Egypt with his third worldist approach, Erdogan said in Arabic to those who came to meet him, "Turkey and Egypt go hand in hand. Greetings to the youth of Egypt, to the people of Egypt. May Allah's peace be upon you," and insistently recommended Egypt's secularism on almost every occasion in his meetings. According to the news of Anadolu Agency, Egyptians responded with enthusiasm to Erdogan's words, shouting slogans such as "Islam's savior, God's saint Erdogan", "Turkey-Egypt is one punch, the blockade will be broken". they have given. (4)

After Erdogan laid a wreath at the Unknown Soldier Monument and the Turkish Martyrdom during his Egyptian contacts, then Al-Azhar Sheikh Ahmet al Tayyib, Mufti of Egypt Dr. Ali Cuma had tete-a-tete meetings with the Chairman of the Supreme Military Council, Marshal Muhammed Hussein Tantavi, and the Secretary General of the Arab League, Nabil al-Arabi. Of course, the utterance of this word brought with it opposing discourses even during the visit. There was an intense reaction from the Islamist Muslim Brotherhood to Prime Minister Erdogan, who recommended the secular state system to Egypt and said that "secularism does not mean anti-religion". Speaking to the Al Ahram newspaper, Mahmud Guzlan, one of the spokespersons of the Muslim Brotherhood, said, “Experiences in other countries cannot be copied to Egypt. The conditions that led to the establishment of a secular state in Turkey are different from the conditions in Egypt”. (5) However, it was not understood at that time that Prime Minister Erdogan's determination was an extremely important parameter for the future of Egypt. After this visit, 70 days later, on November 22, 2012, President Mohamed Morsi announced the presidential decisions that exempt his decisions from judicial review and prevent the courts from dissolving the constitutional commission. Afterwards, the draft constitution, which was prepared beforehand and which has caused controversy since the day it was presented to the agenda in the appearance of a Political Islam, was accepted with a rate of 63.8 percent on 22 December 2012 in the referendum in which the president assigned the army to ensure his security. Almost like the acceptance rate of the 1961 Constitution in Turkey. The 1961 Turkish Constitutional Amendment Referendum was the first referendum held in Turkey. The 1961 Constitution, which was prepared after the 27 May Coup, was accepted with 61.7 percent 'yes' votes against 38.3 percent of the 'no' votes in the popular vote on 9 July 1961.

Ignoring secularism in Egypt and removing it from its position as the cement of the democratic lifestyle naturally led to an increase in discontent in the secular sector. On the first anniversary of President Mohammed Morsi's administration, on 30 June 2013, anti-Morsi demonstrations with large participation spread to other cities of the country. The Default (Revolt) Movement, which was founded by the opposition, seized the power of the Army 48 hours after it was announced that 22 million signatures were collected for Morsi's resignation. A lawsuit was filed against Morsi and the Brotherhood leaders on the charge of "collaborating with foreign powers, gathering intelligence and deserting", and the arrests continued increasingly.

Upon this developing situation, the Republic of Turkey not only strongly condemned the military coup that overthrew the elected President Mohammed Morsi, but also opposed the coup and the established tutelage structure in the name of international sensitivity. Undoubtedly, the Republic of Turkey, unlike the opportunist approaches of many Arab states, especially the EU(D) and Saudi Arabia, openly and loudly criticized the military junta administration, which did not reflect the political will of the Egyptian people, and displayed a principled attitude in all respects. However, it has been misunderstood. The mainstream media, led by globalists, distorted this rightful stance of Turkey.

While the Cairo Criminal Court, under the command of the coup government, decided to release Hosni Mubarak and all members of his family, who had signed a controversial administration for thirty years, on 29 November 2013, President Morsi, who was dismissed by a military coup in Egypt in May 2015, and 100 Brotherhood members with him were sentenced to death. . While the Egyptian judiciary continues to invent crimes against Morsi and his administration, which lasted only a year, Egypt 

Mohammed Morsi, the first President in history to come to office with democratic elections, died on 17 June 2019 in the courtroom where he was put on trial. Funeral prayers in absentia were held for President Mohamed Morsi all over the world, from Australia to Canada, from Malaysia to Bosnia and Herzegovina, especially in Turkey, and this situation was silently conveyed. This stance in funeral prayers in absentia, which was held with the participation of government members, especially President Erdoğan, took its place in the history of our Republic as an upright stance against the tutelary structure established by the junta leader Sisi, the pawn of the global powers and the pawn of the global powers, who opposed the coup, the free will of the Egyptian people, rather than support for the Brotherhood. has received. In other words, while the globalists and self-interest were silent, the Republic of Turkey has displayed an attitude that it should have by criticizing the military junta administration, which does not reflect the political will of the Egyptian people, openly and loudly. The Republic of Turkey, as a state policy, has shared its sensitivity about democracy and the reflection of the will of the people to the ballot box with the world public opinion on every occasion.

Now let's come to the real-political analysis of Egypt's stance on the hydrocarbon exploration tender in the Eastern Mediterranean on February 18, 2021, on the 18th plot. Egypt was awarded the hydrocarbon exploration tender in the Eastern Mediterranean on February 18, 2021 in the 18th Plot, taking into account the exclusive economic zone map that Turkey notified to the United Nations (UN) on March 18, 2019 in the Eastern Mediterranean. It is necessary to understand and scrutinize its emergence within the framework of the state mind. Since both Turkey and Egypt act with the mind of the state with a sense of missionary duty coming from history, it is highly likely that Greece's plans will fail. The fact that, as a requirement of the state's mind, Egypt has adopted the step taken by Turkey in the Eastern Mediterranean within the framework of fairness within the framework of respect, on the other hand, it clearly shows without any doubt that the continental shelf boundaries that Turkey has declared unilaterally have been registered by the UN. This is not a prediction, it is a fact. On the other hand, the normalization of relations between Egypt and Turkey, the two countries with the longest coast in the Eastern Mediterranean, means that everyone in the region, including Lebanon and Palestine (Gaza), wins. Let's also point out that the Republic of Turkey has adopted the principle of 'the strong is not right, but the right is strong' as a state tradition. (2nd)

The most important proof that Egypt is starting to think in a similar way is that Egyptian Information Minister Osama Heikal praised Ankara's rapprochement efforts and said that its steps were "a good sign to create a suitable atmosphere for discussing controversial cases between the two countries". The fact that Heikal states that the differences between Egypt and Turkey do not serve the interests of both parties is a reflection of the dominant reality of international relations in the field. (3) Actually, the starting point of the problem between Egypt and Turkey stems from a fait accompli due to France's urgency, and Turkey's involvement in NATO's intervention in Libya, but not being able to explain its wise policy to Egypt. Egypt acted with France and supported Haftar's forces in the civil war that broke out after Libyan Leader Muammar Gaddafi was overthrown and lynched in 2011 after a NATO-backed uprising. However, it must be expressed with regret that Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, who came to power in a coup d'etat thanks to the guidance of the EU (D), turned this distorted situation into a state policy and took his place against Turkey. The source of the problem is this different point of view. However, the relations between Turkey and Egypt are based on national interests rather than individuals. Although it is not mentioned much in the mainstream media, Turkey also has very serious economic interests in Egypt, and moreover, very important investments. For this reason, explaining the reason for Turkey's rapprochement with Egypt only through sea areas brings with it an extremely misleading point of view. While almost the whole world is doing business with Sisi, Turkey's suspension of relations with Egypt over the dimension of the deceased Morsi has caused and is causing floods and shaylabs to flow under the bridge against Turkey. If it continues in this way, it is inevitable that a result that will not be compatible with Turkey's national interests may occur. National interest orders an agreement and reconciliation with Egypt, necessitating taking steps in this direction. However, it should be emphasized that this issue should be defended through the national interest and should not be used as a domestic policy material or polemic in any way. Since the relations between Turkey and Egypt in terms of national interests are directly in the field of interest of the state, this issue has nothing to do with the ruling party. 

It should not be associated in any way, and it should be done through the state, not the party, including informing the public.

Another issue is that Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias, while flying to Cairo on the 18th parcel on March 8, 2021, on the other hand, described the Akkuyu Nuclear Reactor as the Chernobyl of the future, revealing the manifestation of a man who "paniced". The facts that the Greek Cypriot Administration and Greece usurped the rights of other countries with the agreements they signed in the Eastern Mediterranean started to emerge one by one after the signing of the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) agreement of the "Memorandum of Understanding on the Limitation of Maritime Jurisdiction" between Turkey and Libya on November 27, 2019. After Dendias met with his Egyptian counterpart, Samih Shukri, in Cairo, the fact that half of the 18th parcel is not shown on a new map published by the Kathimerini newspaper is nothing but making the EEZ agreement Turkey signed with Libya suspicious. However, it is a fact that cannot be concealed that Egypt has lost a maritime jurisdiction of 21,800 square kilometers. (6) The maritime jurisdiction area agreement signed by Egypt with Greece on 6 August 2020 caused a negative impact on the Egyptian public opinion and accelerated its efforts to compensate for the loss it suffered.

While Egypt went out to tender for the 18th parcel adjacent to Turkey's continental shelf, Turkey's adoption of the exclusive economic zone map, which was reported to the United Nations on March 18, 2019, has also made the continental shelf problem, which Greece tried to impose with a fait accompli in the Aegean, illegitimate. . This situation not only provides Turkey with international legitimacy for its continental shelf, which it has declared over Egypt, one of the two mutually littoral countries with the longest coastline, but also the continental shelf claim that Greece tries to declare on the basis of Meis Island in the Eastern Mediterranean. has made it illegitimate. Egypt's excluding Meis in the agreement to determine the maritime jurisdiction areas with Greece last year constituted the first step of this work.

From another point of view, it is an undeniable fact that Israel is the key country for Turkey-Egypt relations to reach normal ground in the Eastern Mediterranean. It is a well-known fact that Israel tries to protect Ankara on the basis of energy resources, regardless of the ideological and political dimensions of its relations with Turkey. Like the saying "There is no war without Egypt, there is no peace without Syria" circulating in the Arab streets, the phrase "There cannot be a fair sharing of resources in the Eastern Mediterranean without Turkey" has started to be remembered. It is known by those who are close to this issue that Israel has not agreed with the Greek Cypriot Administration for a long time on the basis of interests but in the context of legitimate and realism. From a real-political point of view, it does not seem like a very rational approach to 'market' Egypt as an independent actor on its own in domestic politics. It is thought that the dominant role in the Eastern Mediterranean may be more pragmatic if Turkey and Israel fulfill the requirements of mutual national interests. Apart from the ideological and political dimension of Turkey's relations with Israel, if we look at the issue from a purely material point of view from the perspective of sea areas or hydrocarbon bans or the use of energy in the Eastern Mediterranean, Israel has from the very beginning said that no steps could be taken in this region without Turkey, not from a political or military point of view. It clearly states that it will have no feasibility, material or economic meaning. This situation can be understood from the fact that he did not sit down and agree with the Greek Cypriot Administration from 2003 to the 2010 Davos process and rejected the offers made by the Greek Cypriot Administration. Israel has always emphasized that the conclusion of this agreement without Turkey will not lead to a positive outcome. So much so that, in the event that no agreement can be reached with Turkey, it is thought that the Greek Cypriot Administration can make the last agreement with Israel in the Eastern Mediterranean. Davos process, Turkey's approach towards HAMAS, especially Israel's step after the process related to Mavi Marmara is a clear manifestation of this argument. The sharing of the exclusive economic zone between Turkey and Israel in the Eastern Mediterranean on the basis of equality, in other words, dictates the image of Israel as Turkey's natural ally. Despite all kinds of negativities, the most important indicator of this understanding can be observed in the fact that there is a period of approximately one year between Davos and Israel's agreement with the Greek Cypriot Administration. So, what is the reason behind this? Israel really insisted that relations with Turkey could improve, improve and improve at any moment. It should not be forgotten that each step to be taken in foreign policy shows a ground that must be taken by considering other relations, interests, and the common interests of the alliance, which must be built on a realistic basis.

After all this, what I say is that, 

"State Reason" played a primary role in Turkey-Egypt Relations. The two countries with the longest coast in the Eastern Mediterranean; The normalization of relations between Egypt and Turkey also means that everyone in the region, including the TRNC, Lebanon and Palestine (Gaza), wins. The dominance of the state mind in international relations in the Eastern Mediterranean also dictates the fact that the political alliance formed between Israel and Egypt, the Greek Cypriot Administration and Greece against Turkey may collapse at any moment. For this reason, it is expected that similar agreements with Israel, Lebanon and Palestine (Gaza) will come to the agenda in the next period. With the realization of this situation, it is considered that the EEZ, which the Greek Cypriot Administration tries to declare unilaterally, and the attempt to usurp the rights of the TRNC through it, may be fruitless. If there is an agreement between Turkey and Egypt on joint energy production in the Eastern Mediterranean, sending the energy directly to Europe via Turkey, which is an energy supply country, clearly shows that the thought of the forced draft 'EASTMED' project can be eliminated. As a result, it is appreciated, dear readers, that Turkey will have its continental shelf recognized in the international arena in the Eastern Mediterranean, and that it will also gain a serious strategic advantage against Greece.

footnotes

(1) Salim Orhan, “The State Reason Doctrine and the Special Organization as a Manifestation in the Transition Process to Modern Turkey”, DÜHFD, Vol: 23, No: 39, Year: 2018, pp 375-409.

(2) Özlem Doğan, “Turkey is acting with the mind of the state! Greece's plans fell through”, Milat Newspaper, March 15, 2021, https://www.milatgazetesi.com/haber/turkiye- Devlet-akliyla-hareket-ediyor-yunanistanin-planlari-suya-dustu-9484/Access Date 15 March 2021/

(3) https://Www.Aljazeera.Com/News/2021/3/19/Turkey-Asks-Egyptian-Media-To-Tone-Down-Criticism-Against-Sisi/Access Date 21 March 2021/

(4) BBC News, “Erdogan welcomed in Egypt with cheers”, 13 September 2011; https://www.bbc.com/turkce/haberler/2011/09/110913_egypt_turkey/Access Date 19 March 2021/

(5) Deutsche Welle Turkish, “Secularism critique of Erdogan in Egypt”, 15.09.2011;https://www.dw.com/tr/m%C4%B1s%C4%B1rda-erdo%C4%9Fana- secularism-ele%C5%9Ftirisi/a-15388018/Access Date 19 March 2021/

(6) Güray Alpar, “Greek-Greek Bilateral Usury of Egypt, Israel and Lebanon's Rights in the Mediterranean” Institute of Strategic Thinking, 07 December 2019; https://www.sde.org.tr/guray-alpar/genel/rum-yunan-ikilisi-misir-israil-ve-lubnanin-akdeniz-haklarini-gasp-ediyor-kose-yazisi-14308/Access Date 21 March 2021/