Erdogan's victory is good not only for Turkey but also for the region

Director of the International Institute for Middle Eastern and Balkan Studies (IFIMES) Ljubljana, M.Sc. Zijad Bećirović commented on the results of yesterday's elections held in Turkey for the Patria News Agency.

PATRIA: How do you comment on the elections in Turkey, and will Erdogan's overwhelming and unexpected victory have any repercussions on Bosnia and Herzegovina, or the SDA, given the well-known political ties and relations between the leaders of the AKP and SDA?

BEĆIROVIĆ: Turkish voters voted for security and economic development in the early parliamentary elections. The convincing victory of the Justice and Development Party (AKP) has created an additional obligation to the voters to continue with the initiated reforms.

The opposition campaign lacked important content and was mainly focused on open, constant attacks on Erdogan, who was more distant in this campaign than in the elections in June of this year.

Erdogan has become a cohesive factor, just as he was in 2002 when his AKP first won the parliamentary elections. The victory of Erdogan's AKP is good not only for Turkey but also for the region, and especially for the countries with which Turkey has partner and close relations. Bosnia and Herzegovina certainly belongs to the circle of these countries. It is very important for Turkey to be more present in Bosnia and Herzegovina through more foreign investments, and less with sweet and appealing political rhetoric.

I hope that the announced opening of a joint economic and trade representation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia in Istanbul, as a result of joint work in the Turkey-Bosnia and Herzegovina-Serbia Trilateral, will contribute to this. Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia could transfer this model of a joint economic representation to the Russian Federation as well. SDA and AKP are sister parties, and when both parties are in power, interstate relations are in focus.

PATRIA: Is it expected that Erdogan will pursue constitutional changes towards introducing a presidential system?

BEĆIROVIĆ: The AKP does not have enough parliamentary votes to pass constitutional changes. However, it is expected that the AKP will initiate a referendum on constitutional changes, as it did in 2007 and 2010 when voters supported its proposals for constitutional changes.

If Erdogan secures enough votes and support from the electorate and assesses the moment as favorable, a referendum on constitutional changes will likely occur.

PATRIA: What does this victory mean for the relations between Turkey and the EU, especially in light of resolving the refugee crisis?

BEĆIROVIĆ: The refugee crisis is not being resolved in Turkey but in Syria and Iraq. Turkey can constructively contribute to resolving the crisis and use its influence on the Syrian position, and on the Sunnis and Kurds in Iraq, to participate in the federal government. All the aforementioned factors have excellent personal relationships with Erdogan and the Republic of Turkey.

As for the EU, it must view Turkey as an important partner and not just in the context of the refugee crisis. Therefore, it is important to accelerate accession negotiations with the EU and to include Turkey in the single European space, which would also resolve the Cyprus issue. I fear that the EU is significantly, perhaps even irrecoverably, behind in this regard. The EU, as well as key global actors, are not addressing the causes of the Middle Eastern crisis, but mainly its consequences.

The partnership between the US and Turkey is unquestionable

PATRIA: How do you view the partnership between Turkey and the US, especially in resolving the Middle Eastern crisis?

BEĆIROVIĆ: The partnership and alliance between Turkey and the US are unquestionable. They are the two strongest NATO member states. Resolving the crisis in the Middle East is unimaginable without the significant role of Turkey. The US is probably more aware of Turkey's role and significance than the EU itself. That is why the US support for Turkey's EU membership is greater than that of many EU member states.