Ankara Needs to 'Turn Moscow From Foe to Friend' Amid Tensions With EU, US

After Binali Yildirim became new Turkish prime minister during his speech before his party fellows he proclaimed the new motto of Ankara’s foreign policy: "We will increase the number of friends, and decrease the number of our enemies."

This marks a new course Turkey plans to adhere to in its foreign relations, an article in the Turkish newspaper Milliyet read.

In his speech, the prime minister also underscored that currently Turkey is facing a number of problems. This is why the government should look for new approaches for those challenges.

One of the priorities would be normalization of relations with a number of countries, which have been recently damaged.

"First of all, it is Israel. Turkey has long been in talks with Israel, and now the two countries are close to a consensus," the article read.

However, normalization of damaged relations with other countries will take time. For example, despite the fact that Ankara has recently had close contacts with Egypt, normalization of relations will require more efforts and political will.

The New "Enemy"

Russia is a country with which Turkey needs to restore ties the most, the author wrote. However, in the current environment turning Russia back into a "friend" is difficult.

Tensions between Moscow and Ankara sparked after a Turkish jet shot down last November a Russian bomber involved in airstrikes against terrorists in Syria. Russia imposed restrictive measures against Turkey, including sanctions in trade, tourism and investments.

However, recently during his visit to Greece, Russian President Vladimir Putin said there were signals that Turkey wants to restore friendly ties. Russia is waiting for concrete steps from Ankara, he underscored.

"Restoring friendship with Moscow would require intensive diplomatic measures and time. In addition, some other steps would be needed, including economic," the article read.

Old "Friends"

Another issue is that Turkey has tensions with its "friends." The main problem is tensions with Washington over its support for the Kurdish Democratic Union Party.

What is more, Turkey has tensions with the European Union, including the controversial migrant deal. This problem should be resolved via diplomacy, the article read.

The "more friends, less enemies" policy would require new approaches and style, the author wrote. Ankara should also restrain from aggressive rhetoric. Turkey’s political course should not become meddling in the domestic affairs of other nations.

"The principle of splendid isolation should be replaced with making new friends without losing old ones," the article read.