“Thinking Diplomacy: New World New Horizons“
When we look at the main trends in the world, global competition in the age of new economy based on "information and knowledge-based products" following "soil and machinery" is developing through "micro-nationalism", "integration" and "unpredictability’’. Challenges that determine the new nature of life and state; such as " crisis in resource and sharing ", unsustainability of production-consumption-growth formula, purge of the middle class with Chinese leverage, energy, water, and food insecurity, transition to the 4th dimension, liquidation of human resources in the workforce, transition from hard power to soft and smart power on the basis of the very changing state nature and anticipation management, can be formed as the basic references.
Within all these fundamental parameters, the transformations in technology are prone to change the whole human life and nature by developing with artificial intelligence, virtual/enhanced reality and mobility centered. It is obvious that the concepts of "Industry 4.0" and "Society 5.0" are important topics for managing the transformation of the world within the dimensions of industry and society. Another contributive factor is the turbulence that China creates as it begins to become intensively dominant on the world stage day to day. The New Silk Road project, "One Belt and One Road Initiative"; is shaped as a global integration project involving more than hundred countries, both on land and at sea, permanently changing the distribution of economic shares. In countries with no middle class, authoritarian regimes or chaos stands as two options in the fore-seeable future. How to make the division of labor in terms of regional and global security and how to share the costs is also a point of discussion in the coming period.
The development of new alliances on security can be read from the risks and the initiatives undertaken by dominant countries. The quality of the concepts of property and power, and the business model change historically. The future of the EU with the "Failure in Success" syndrome will be determined by the results of the polarization which revived in the West after the Brexit. Along with all these developments, "Ecosystem of safety" changes with the law. The "Security - Democracy" dilemma will be experienced much more after that. Because, for the democracy, it is difficult to survive in countries where the middle class is melting and security leans to a sophisticated ground. The question "Will security bring us authoritarian regimes" needs to be discussed further.
Turkey distinguishes itself with an 84-million inhabitants, growing economy and geo-strategic status in the center of Afro-Eurasia. Turkey's historical, political and cultural ties between Europe, Black Sea, Caucasus, Asia, Middle East and African countries, rising activity in the international arena, especially in the United Nations, being an important member of organizations such as NATO, OSCE and CICA and with active foreign policy, it has become an increasingly important actor on the global platform.
Morocco is an important country in the global scene with its strategic position that connects Africa with Europe and Mediterranean with Atlantic Ocean, relations with Europe, with its dynamic and young population of nearly 36 million people, 110.8 billion dollars GNP (2017), economical potential in sectors like agriculture, tourism and fishing, natural resources and with its prominent relations with Islamic and African countries.
Diplomatic relations between Turkey and Morocco had begun with Morocco’s independence on 17 April 1956. Morocco’s relation with the Ottoman Empire in the past provides its relations with Turkey to be based on solid grounds that are free from prejudice. Both countries serve as bridges between East and West, and Islam and Christianity; their strategic positions and economical and political potentials lead Turkey and Morocco to cooperate easily.
For Morocco; Turkey is like an entrance door to Eurasia. For Turkey, Morocco should be taken into account in Turkey’s relation with Islamic, Middle Eastern and African countries. Turkey sees ‘Morocco’ as a partner in the areas of politics, economy, culture and security. Both countries have similar views with regards to recent events in the region. Turkey and Morocco, with their centuries old relations and members of many international and regional organizations like Union for the Mediterranean, Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and so on, maintaining cooperation within the framework of international organizations. Close relations between the two countries are reflected through mutual high level official visits.
For the past three centuries, global powers’ policies towards Afro-Eurasia have prevented Turkish - Moroccan relations to be deepened. Strict cooperation between the two countries is required for regional stability and peace. Having direct geographical connection with the European continent, political and democratic reforms in both countries can be seen as basis to improve relations. For Turkey and Morocco, coordinating foreign policies and developing strategic partnerships, on issues such as the course of relations with the European Union and NATO are by the common interests of both countries.
Economic relations between Turkey and Morocco have been in a constant improvement in the last decades. “Turkey - Morocco Free Trade Agreement“ has taken effect on 1st of January 2006. The bilateral trade volume between Turkey and Morocco stood at 2.998 billion dollars in 2019 and trade gap weigh against Morocco was 1.617 billion dollars. The main products exported by Turkey to Morocco are iron and steel, textile fiber and products, land transportation vehicles. The main products exported by Morocco to Turkey are land transportation vehicles, gold, gold plated, silver and base metal, gold plated waste, inorganic chemicals, rare elements compounds. The number of Turkish companies operating in Morocco is around 160.
However, the relations between the two countries are far below the potential that should be evaluated within the framework of data such as political proximity, population and economic performance. At this point, the regional policies of Western countries have been effective as well as the long-term focus of both countries on their own regions.
Turkey and Morocco are important Mediterranean countries which control strategic transition points in terms of world trade and energy transfer, that are Bosporus, Dardanelles and Strait of Gibraltar. Both countries have common interests on geopolitics and security with regards to their relations with the West Asia, Middle East, Islamic countries and Western world.
Regarding the gradually deepening interdependence relations throughout the today’s world and considering the factors such as necessity of developing economic relations, contributing to global energy security, fighting against smuggling and terrorist activities; it is necessary for the interest of both countries to ensure peace and security, and to increase economic, social and political inter-activity in these regions. Both countries can develop strategic cooperation with regards to sustaining long term interests. At this point, wider political, economic, diplomatic and geo-strategic points of views are needed to look at the events.
In order for Turkey - Morocco relations to be carried to an ideal point in today’s multi-dimensional world order; every parameter should be taken into consideration. The aim of the Turkey - Morocco Strategic Dialogue is to prepare a civil, institutional and intellectual strategic base to improve and strengthen the Turkey - Morocco Relations.
Main Theme
Thinking Diplomacy: New World New Horizons
Sub Themes
New Balances New Economy
New Multidimensional Security Parameters in Afro - Eurasia Region
Economical Cooperation
Transportation and Logistics
Multidimensional Security and Fight against Terrorism
Bilateral and Multilateral Capacity Building in OIC member Countries
Innovation in Public Administration and Technology Sharing
Cooperation Opportunities in Academy and Culture
Regional and Global Common Perspectives
Basic Sectors
Public Diplomacy, Education and Language
Culture and Tourism (Joint History and Anthropology)
Construction, Contracting and Infrastructure
Health and Health Tourism
Energy, Petrochemicals and Investments
Logistics, Transportation and Communication
Banking and Finance
Economy and Trade
Media and Communication
Science and technology
Brand Cities and the Environment
Defense and Space Industry
STUDIES AND ACTIVITIES (DRAFT)
Method
Inductive Reasoning, Participation and Economic Deepening
Turkey - Morocco Committee of Wise Persons Meetings Workshop
Building Capacity and Ecosystem Inventory
Preparation of Research Projects and their Reports
Development of Pro-active Policy Recommendations
Round-Table Meetings/Workshops
Multilateral Workshops/Studies
Sector Workshops/Activities
Applied Interactive Modelings
Strategic Reports
Publication of sector studies as strategic reports for decision makers, private sector, media and public opinion of the two countries. Providing literature and memory support.
Media Conferences
Other Academic Studies
Strategic Reports, Books, Articles, Thesis and so on Academic Studies
Event Page
Event details and the vision document can be reached via the link below:
https://tasam.org/en/Etkinlik/16265/turkey_-_morocco_strategic_dialogue
