Amid row with EU, Turkey increasingly isolated ahead of key vote

As a referendum on whether to turn to the presidential system looms, Turkey finds itself more and more isolated amid unending rows with European countries as well as discord with the US and Russia over their support to Kurdish militia in Syria.


Ties with the EU have already been strained following last July's failed coup in Turkey, but things have gotten worse lately with the 28-nation bloc due to a ban on political campaigning by Turkish politicians.

Despite Turkish protests, Washington and Moscow are cooperating with Kurdish militia in Syria seen by Ankara as terrorists.

Meanwhile, Turkey's relations with its neighbors are not smooth either, although its ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), had boastingly talked, until not long ago, about pursuing a foreign policy of "zero problems with neighbors."

Turkey has strained ties with Iraq and Egypt, and does not recognize as legitimate the current Syrian regime and had contributed to the efforts to bring about its downfall until last summer.

Turkey's relations with Iran, a staunch supporter of the Syrian and Iraqi governments, are not smooth due to strong differences over regional issues.

The current Turkish foreign policy would result in "regional and global isolation," Huseyin Bagci, a professor of international relations with the Middle East Technical University (METU), told Xinhua.

Noting Turkey is showing resistance to the existing global system, he added, "Turkey is being dragged out of the system, because its policies are not in harmony with the system."

The Islamist AKP has long been criticized by Turkey's opposition parties for pursuing a sectarian foreign policy in the Middle East that does not serve the country's best interests.
   [globaltimes.cn/Xinhua]
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