Former Deputy Speaker of Parliament Gürkan reacts to Gerhartz: 'This principle has never been implemented until today'

Former Deputy Speaker of the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM) Uluç Gürkan evaluated the reasons behind the praise from General Ingo Gerhartz, who spoke to the BBC following NATO's "Steadfast Dart 26" exercise held this year, and his "NATO territory" rhetoric for 12punto.

WHAT IS THE REASON FOR THE PRAISE?

"Steadfast Dart 26," recorded as NATO's largest exercise this year, is taking place in Germany. Gürkan evaluated the praise for Turkish soldiers by General Ingo Gerhartz, the commander of the exercise in question and Commander of the Joint Force Command in the Netherlands, who spoke to BBC Turkish, as follows:

“Turkey, within NATO:

• Is the country with the second-largest army.

• Has a strategic location at the intersection of the Black Sea, the Middle East, and the Caucasus.

• Is active in Afghanistan, Kosovo, the Balkans, and many NATO missions.

Praising the Turkish soldier generally contains three messages:

1. Opening political credit to Turkey...

2. Balancing relations with Ankara (especially after the issues of Swedish membership, S-400s, and F-16s).

3. The need for Turkey in Black Sea security and on the Southern flank...

Such praise is generally:

• An effort to keep Turkey within the alliance,

• Reduce the risk of drifting away from the West,

• Soften US–Turkey relations.”

‘THIS PRINCIPLE HAS NEVER BEEN IMPLEMENTED UNTIL TODAY’

Regarding Gerhartz's "NATO territory" rhetoric in his statement, "The fact that these countries are sending their soldiers to Central Europe is a strong indicator of unity in the alliance and that every inch of NATO territory will be defended when necessary," Gürkan said, "The 'NATO territory' rhetoric makes direct reference to NATO's Article 5 (collective defense) principle. This means 'an attack on a NATO member country is considered an attack on all members.'

This principle has never been implemented until today. For example, the threat in the letter sent by US President Johnson to the Prime Minister of the Republic of Turkey, İsmet İnönü, which delayed Turkey's intervention in Cyprus in 1964 until 1974, stating that 'Article 5 will not apply if Russia attacks,' was the clearest proof that this article is left to the discretion of the US.

Today, while Russia is perceived as a permanent threat by NATO's European members, the definition of China—which the US has declared its arch-enemy—as an 'indirect strategic competitor' has brought Article 5 back to the agenda. For NATO's European allies, Article 5 must absolutely be implemented under the following conditions:

• During periods when external threats such as the Russia–Ukraine war increase

• When 'border fronts' such as the Baltics, Poland, and the Black Sea line become sensitive

• When the US's security commitment to Europe is questioned

Therefore, the emphasis on 'NATO territory' must have been voiced as a strong message to Russia regarding the inviolability of borders. In plain terms, it can be said that it is intended to strengthen deterrence by saying, 'Ukraine is not NATO territory, but Poland, Romania, and the Baltics are NATO territory.'

In this context, the NATO territory rhetoric also indirectly covers Turkey, especially in the context of the Black Sea and Eastern Europe. While Turkey is praised as an 'indispensable partner' within the alliance, it is intended to be evaluated as 'a part of NATO's European security architecture'...”

‘TURKEY'S IMPORTANCE HAS INCREASED FOR EUROPEAN ALLIES’

When asked whether Turkey is being considered as a new alternative to America by Europe under these discourses, Gürkan said:

“The US's commitment to Europe after 2025 (especially after the US elections) is uncertain. The NATO–EU defense divergence has increased the importance of Turkey for European allies. However, this should not be read as creating a 'big father' as an alternative to the US, but as a search to fill the void that the US will create in European defense as much as possible.”

News: Cenk Başboğaoğlu

News Source: 12punto