Filenews 7 January 2021 - by Nikoleta Kourousi
We are going through a period of instability in both the wider international and regional systems, where reviewers, such as Turkey, choose to fill the security gaps through the path of conflict. However, despite the challenges, as analysed by distinguished analysts at this year's Cyprus Forum, through foreign policy and diplomacy, opportunities for cooperation are emerging, particularly at regional level, where Cyprus can take the lead, being the catalyst for change in our region.
Through his speech at the Cyprus Forum, the Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Cornelius Cornelius, on behalf of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, developed the framework of actions and synergies, which is necessary to promote in our region, with a view to achieving security and stability.
In particular, Mr Cornelius developed, through his speech, the need to promote the doctrine of Effective Minilateralism( as it is more widely known), which can, as he argued, offer answers to challenges, provide opportunities to exploit the prospects that exist, as well as create conditions of stability and peace in turbulent areas, such as the Eastern Mediterranean.
"We are faced with a labyrinthine framework of challenges and threats in our immediate region, the management of which seems impossible without the consolidation of a culture of cooperation and multilateralism. And it is in this way, as he pointed out, that this crisis creates, at the same time, opportunities to strengthen regional cooperation and to strengthen the concept of so-called 'regionalism''. He stressed that "for all the modern, democratic and prospering states in the region there is no longer a dilemma: the need to strengthen synergies and institutions aimed at safeguarding the international legal order is becoming increasingly urgent and necessary".
He explained that "we believe that promoting the doctrine of Effective Minilateralism as it is more widely known can provide answers to challenges and reduce tensions, provide unique opportunities to exploit the prospects that exist, as well as create real conditions of stability and peace in troubled regions, such as our own neighbourhood, the Eastern Mediterranean".
- The Eastern Mediterranean: Aregion with huge potential
The Director-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs then referred to the importance of the Eastern Mediterranean region, noting that "it is an area of enormous economic, commercial, political and energy importance, both for the EU itself and for the entire international system. It was and remains an area with great challenges but also with huge prospects."
In this context, he explained, Cyprus, faithful to the imperatives of multilateralism and with a fully synchronised pace with Greece, promoted in the Eastern Mediterranean the establishment of Tripartite Cooperation Mechanisms, with Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine and the UNITED STATES."
Mr Cornelius also argued that he believes that there will be other developments of a bilateral or multilateral nature in the next period, as well as - and this is of its own particular importance - we are seeing a strengthening of the relevant regional partnerships both by the private sector, University Institutions and other non-governmental actors, who use as infrastructure, as a basis, as a driving force the state partnerships being developed.
- Cyprus must have an extrovert foreign policy
In particular with regard to the role of Cyprus, he argued that "a small state such as Cyprus, with an ongoing problem of invasion and illegal occupation of its territory by Turkey for more than 46 years, with qualitative rather than quantitative resources and potential, located in a turbulent geographical area, must have an outward-looking foreign policy. In fact, at a time of significant challenges and threats, when traditional multilateralism, international legal order and international law are called into question, maximum extroversion is required, through regional synergies and an interactive dialogue with our neighbouring states, setting achievable common objectives."
In conclusion, he stressed that "Cyprus, both in its region and within the EU, taking advantage of its geographical position, will continue to be a key defender of international legitimacy and international law, promoting multilateralism and regional cooperation, intercultural understanding and the common vision of a better quality of life for the peoples of the region, as key priorities of its foreign policy".
Interesting aspects of diplomacy and foreign policy were then placed under the microscope of prominent personalities, who, through their intervention in the debate, presented the challenges created in the region, but also the opportunities created for Cyprus to develop a leading role.
The panel of the discussion was attended by the former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Erato Kozakou Markoullis, Damon Wilson, Executive Vice President at the Atlantic Council, Elizabeth Prodromou, Visiting Associate Professor at Fletcher School of Law & Diplomacy, Tufts University and Asli Aydıntaşbaş, Senior Associate at the European Council on Foreign Relations, and Anna Koukkidis Prokopiou, Senior Associate at the Cyprus Centre of European and International Affairs, University of Nicosia
- Developing innovative initiatives on global existential issues
First of all, Dr Elizabeth Prodromou said that Cyprus is at a hub where it can play a leading role in the region. He explained that "we are in a period because of covid-19, where a new dialogue has begun, and where the need for international solidarity, human solidarity and movement from the local level to the world is recognised.
In addition, this is a time when the importance of small states and different activities in resolving existential issues such as climate change, public health and the proliferation of weapons is recognised.
Therefore, in this context, as Dr Prodromou argued, Cyprus can develop initiatives. In particular with regard to climate change, he said, Cyprus can work in an innovative way in the field of sustainable development, both at public and private level. In addition, Cyprus' contribution to public health, through the development of scientific innovations, and to the fight against the proliferation of weapons - in which Cyprus's geographical position as a crossroads of three continents plays an important role - is important, taking initiatives and developing a new regulatory framework.
- Promoting Cultural Diplomacy and Soft Power
Subsequently, the former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Erato Kozakou Markoullis, developed the importance of cultural diplomacy in the context of foreign policy, which she characteristically used "as a very important tool in her career, both as a diplomat and as Minister of Foreign Affairs". He argued that Cyprus may be a small state, but in the fields of history and archaeology it is an important force", which he has observed in all the international symposiums and forums that he has participated in and related to these objects. "On the other hand, the Middle East and Eastern Mediterranean region, where Cyprus belongs, is an alloy of cultures and a hotbed of some of the world's oldest civilizations. Therefore I have always felt that we should use this wealth in our foreign policy, but also develop a vision of peace and stability and sustainable development in this part of the world," Ms Markoullis said afterwards.
He added that "Cyprus is a multicultural island, with the presence of a multitude of peoples and cultures in our country. It is therefore in a unique position to support and promote initiatives, bringing people together, including writers, artists, researchers, writers, in order to create bridges of communication and understanding." He concluded that governments should use less hard power and more soft power, which promotes peace and understanding in the world.
- Importance of multilateralism in the field of security
Dr Damon Wilson analysed, for his part, the importance of cooperation and multilateralism in the field of security. He praised the way the Republic of Cyprus and in particular the Minister of Foreign Affairs perceives and treats the region as an area of opportunity rather than challenges, bringing solutions and ideas to the table for discussion. He even described as innovative the idea of 'minilateralism', i.e. the combination of multilateralism and regionalism, and also argued that it was the right time to set up a regional cooperation organisation in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Dr Wilson also said that the Eastern Mediterranean region has evolved into a region of geostrate strategic competition, and we have entered a new phase, involving foreign powers such as Russia and China, at a time when challenges are being created for local residents, around issues such as arms proliferation, illegal migration flows and energy issues.
Despite the tensions and challenges, he argued that opportunities are emerging at the same time. He made particular reference to the development of Greek-American relations at a high level, with special reference to the East Med Act and cooperation in the field of security. "There is an interest in developing democratic cooperation in the region from the US, and there is also a focus on keeping Turkey as an ally of the West," Dr Wilson said.
In conclusion, he argued that common challenges such as anti-terrorism laws, migration and illegal slave trade in the region could be addressed in the context of multilateralism, stressing that "the elements of a regional organisation based in Cyprus could help future stability in the region".
- A new functional relationship between the EU and Turkey
Ms Asli Aydıntaşbaş developed EU-Turkey relations through her intervention and supported the need to form a new form of relationship between the two sides, which she said would contribute to stability in the region. "I would be lying to you if I argued that Ankara is currently interested in joining the EU. Instead there is the launch of nationalism and a doctrine that defines Turkey's security interests, through its military presence in areas such as Libya, Syria, etc.," he said at first. He then paid particular attention to the dangerous "syndrome" of the sense of marginalisation that Turkey feels, namely the sense that there are a number of hostile states against it in the region. He argued that we must tackle this collectively and create ways of productive engagement between the EU and Turkey. "We need to create a creative and functional relationship between the two sides, because as this relationship now exists, communication channels do not work, which in the long run is not beneficial to anyone's interests. What would bring more stability to the region is a wın-win formula," stressed the Senior Partner at the European Council on Foreign Relations.
