The Turk Who Is Not Attila

Attila, the leader of the European Huns, is a keyword in Greek political language for accusations directed at Turkey. The civilian and military hierarchy that defends Turkey's national interests is characterized as Attila, meaning barbarian, aggressor, and occupier. In Greek historical reading, the Prime Minister of the 1974 Cyprus Peace Operation era, Bülent Ecevit, the Turkish Armed Forces, and the security elements present in the TRNC are Attila.

In the Aegean, in Cyprus, and in the Mediterranean, adopting an attitude in line with Turkey's national interests is enough to be accused of being Attila!

At this point in the discussion, it is time to look back at the recent past and recall how we escaped being Attila. In the November 3, 2002, general parliamentary elections, the AKP emerged from the ballot box as the sole ruling party, but its politically banned chairman was outside the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM). While the new government was experiencing the enthusiasm of election victory and the opposition was in the shock of defeat, Erdoğan's visit to Athens on November 18, 2002, would pave the way for escaping the label of Attila!

Erdoğan, the Chairman of the AKP, who was welcomed with prime ministerial protocol even though he was not even a member of parliament, held a meeting with Greek Prime Minister Kostas Simitis at the Prime Ministry building that lasted nearly two hours, during which Turkey's Ambassador to Athens Yiğit Alpogan, Deputy Undersecretaries Akın Alptuna and Baki İlkin, and an interpreter were not present, nor was it recorded in the minutes.

Starting the joint press conference held after the meeting by stating that he was "pleased to be in Athens, the beautiful city where democracy was born and where Plato and Socrates once walked," Erdoğan concluded his remarks by saying, "We do not see Greece as our historical rival, but as our closest neighbor and a strategic partner for our future."

The meaning of Erdoğan's visit—who also met with New Democracy Party Chairman Kostas Karamanlis, Athens Mayor Dimitris Avramopoulos, and representatives of non-governmental organizations—for Greece and the expectations for the future would be expressed by Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou: "A historic meeting. For the first time in years, we did not see an Attila before us."

Let us conclude our article with the Athens visit that took place last week, involving Erdoğan, who 21 years ago was praised as the Turkish leader who was "not Attila and not protested against."

There is no doubt that the spring atmosphere reflected after the meeting between President Erdoğan and Greek Prime Minister Mitsotakis carries no meaning beyond empty optimism that will not be put into practice. The statements made by some officials of the political government in the recent past regarding the abolition of the Aegean Army and the withdrawal of the TBMM's 12-mile decision show that no lessons have been learned from the tragic end of the Ottoman Empire, which lacked naval power.

The cost to the country of the "Turk who is not Attila" attitude is undoubtedly the subject of a separate article. However, a comparison between 21 years ago and today in the Aegean, Cyprus, and the Eastern Mediterranean will show that the other side of the water has emerged as the winner from the process.

If the state's institutional wisdom, its tradition of meticulous diplomacy, and the lessons to be learned from past experiences are thrown into the trash, you will not only lose your current gains but also your reputation, prestige, and deterrence!

12.12.2023