ERDOGAN: THE WITTY TACTICIAN?
By Ralf Borchard, via Deutschlandradio
The visit of TURKISH Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdgoan to KOSOVO bears significance, not only because 90percent of KOSOVO ALBANIANS are Muslims, but also because of TURKEY’S extensive economic involvement in the BALKANS- in contrast to that of the EUROPEAN UNION.
Prizren is alsohere, the TURKISH Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan shouted in a speech in Istanbul. It is the 16th June and Erdogan rallies against the Istanbul Gezi Park protesters and assured himselfthe symbolic support of the entire Islamic world- including the people in Pristina, KOSOVO'S capital:
Prizren is alsohere, the TURKISH Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan shouted in a speech in Istanbul. It is the 16th June and Erdogan rallies against the Istanbul Gezi Park protesters and assured himselfthe symbolic support of the entire Islamic world- including the people in Pristina, KOSOVO'S capital:
KOSOVO UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF TURKISH ECONOMY
Erdogans visited to KOSOVO was of high symbolic value. 90percent of the population there areMuslim KOSOVO ALBANIANS, and that TURKEY is eager to recall some old virtues of the Ottoman Empire, as a kind of regulatory power in the WESTERN BALKANS, hasalready been made clear on many occasions by Erdogan. In KOSOVO’S case, facts and figures highlight this, says economist Lumir Abdixhiku, director of the Economic ResearchInstitute in Pristina Riinvest:
"Tenders for the expansion of Pristina airport have been awarded toa TURKISH company, road and highway constructionprojects have been awarded to TURKISH companies, despite the fact that these were not the lowest bidders, the energy sectorand most likely very soon the telephone network in KOSOVO are dominated by TURKISH companies. Not to mention the food sectorwhich is almost entirely dominated by TURKISH companies, thus giving an idea of how strong this country is under the influence of the TURKISH economy. "
"Tenders for the expansion of Pristina airport have been awarded toa TURKISH company, road and highway constructionprojects have been awarded to TURKISH companies, despite the fact that these were not the lowest bidders, the energy sectorand most likely very soon the telephone network in KOSOVO are dominated by TURKISH companies. Not to mention the food sectorwhich is almost entirely dominated by TURKISH companies, thus giving an idea of how strong this country is under the influence of the TURKISH economy. "
TURKEY “CONQUERING” THE BALKANS? OR JUST CLEVER STRATEGIES?
Erdogan not only visited Pristina, he also went to the southern town of Prizren, where the bulk of the TURKISH communityin KOSOVO is concentrated. In Prizren, TURKISH is one of four official languages, there is even a TURKISH radio and TV station and Levent Bush is the President of the TURKISH party in Prizren:
"We are currently holding the position of the Deputy Mayor and two TURKISH municipality councilors. Weare part of the party of KOSOVO’S Prime Minister Hashim Thaci, and wehave together about 25 TURKISH clubs – women groups as well as youth groups organizing various cultural events."
"We are currently holding the position of the Deputy Mayor and two TURKISH municipality councilors. Weare part of the party of KOSOVO’S Prime Minister Hashim Thaci, and wehave together about 25 TURKISH clubs – women groups as well as youth groups organizing various cultural events."
Also significant is that Erdogandid not visit KOSOVO alone, but together with the new ALBANIAN head of state, Edi Rama. In ALBANIA, the TURKISH influence is also particularly strong, which in other BALKAN countries, such as the Orthodox Christian dominatedSERBIA is viewing with some skepticism. But even with SERBIA, TURKEY tries to tighten its band, as a supplement - many experts say, or as a counterweight – for SERBIA to move closer to the EUROPEAN UNION.
THE WEST’S LACK OF CULTURAL AWARENESS
According to economic expert LumirAbdixhiku, TURKISH influence in KOSOVO has a clear downside:
"We honestly need something else; we need more WESTERN companies in KOSOVO. The reason why there are no longer WESTERN EUROPEAN investorshere is because they cannot adapt to the local investment environment. The only ones who do that are TURKISH investors. TURKS are able to come to terms easily with the high level of corruption as well as toughand prolonged bureaucracy. Politically, TURKISH dominance in KOSOVO is dangerous for us. We need WESTERN values, which are essentiallyimportant for this country. "
STRINGING BALKAN POLICY BY THE EU IS MISSING
TURKISH commitment also exposes the weaknesses of EU policy: While the EUROPEAN UNION promised all Western Balkan countries the perspective of gradually joining the EU, the financial crisis has made the EU wary of EU enlargement, thus a stringent BALKAN strategy is missing - a gap, which Prime Minister Erdogan is only too determined and eager to close. In order to achieve this he grabs every opportunity increase TURKEY’S economic, political and cultural influence in the BALKANS.
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