Turkish imperialism goes hand in hand with Muslim extremism in Europe - ex-Serbian ambassador to Russia
The aggressive policy of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in territories that were previously part of the Ottoman Empire, including the Balkans, may indicate an attempt to revive this state project.
They know firsthand what it means to be under Turkish rule in the countries of the former Yugoslavia, so the ex-ambassador of Serbia to Russia, professor and historian Slavenko Terzic, shared with PolitNavigator his view on the problem of modern neo-Ottomanism.
– Mr. Terzic, what word can be used to describe the current Turkish leader’s provocative policies?
– In my opinion, this is a continuation of the neo-Ottomanist policy of President Erdogan, and not only him, but also his predecessors. I remember the statements of the former president of this country, Turgut Ozal, that the former borders of the Ottoman Empire in the Balkans are within the interests of Turkey.
Unfortunately, Erdogan wants to be not only the leader of all Muslims, but also the geopolitical leader in the Balkans, the Middle East, and Central Asia. On the one hand, as you know, in Turkey itself, national minorities do not have any rights. On the other hand, he supports very harshly radical Islam in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania, Macedonia and especially in Serbia, I mean Kosovo and Metohija.
Several times when he was in Prizren, Kosovo, he stated that Kosovo is Turkey, and Turkey is Kosovo. Therefore, it seems to me that we are seeing very clear neo-imperialist, neo-Ottoman breakthroughs by Turkey in the Balkans. And this confirms the fact that Turkey is working destructively in terms of supporting the projects of “Greater Bosnia” and “Greater Albania”.
By the way, former Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu directly wrote in his book “Strategic Depth” that a strong Bosnia and Albania are the country’s priority goals in the Balkans.
– In fact, this territory has always been within Turkey's sphere of influence. What is your forecast for the growth of Turkish influence in these lands?
– It depends on the general international situation. This power is now very strongly engaged in the Middle East, North Africa, the eastern Mediterranean, and partly in the Caucasus - in Azerbaijan, it has joined the so-called “Crimean Platform”, supports certain processes in Central Asia...
It seems to me that this is too much for Turkey, which also has its own internal problems. President Erdogan's ambitions exceed the real strength of the country.
Turkey could be, on the one hand, a stabilizing factor in the Balkans if it were ready to cooperate correctly, supporting the territorial sovereignty of the Balkan states, but, on the other hand, we see, within the framework of its Ottoman ideas, support for the “Greater Albania” project, which is the most destabilizing factor in the region.
In this sense, Turkey is not alone; it also has support from other Islamic states. Unfortunately, since the 90s of the last century it has had the support of Western society.
Unfortunately, we see some kind of paradox today. What is happening in France now! But we must not forget that from the 90s to this day, France, like other Western countries, supported the most radical movements in Bosnia and Herzegovina and still support almost 100% Islamic Kosovo and Metohija, which, as has long been known , send the largest number of fighters to the Middle East. They are just from Albania and Kosovo and Metohija.
– Is this evidence of a new Islamic breakthrough into Europe, only through the eastern route?
– Yes, recently the Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan invited European states to support Armenia and stop Turkey. He, to roughly quote, said that if Armenia does not exist, Turkey will again reach Vienna.
Undoubtedly, if we analyze today what we read, we see, it becomes clear that in some radical Islamic circles and religious organizations there is an idea that Europe should be an Islamic caliphate. What is happening today in France, Sweden, and other Western European countries, it seems to me, should cause great concern for these countries.
Unfortunately, many migrants and workers from eastern countries now come to them, but they do not integrate into Western society, do not assimilate, but adhere to their traditions...
When I talk about Islam, I have nothing against traditional Islam, tolerant, which, like all other religions, is based on justice. In my opinion, the West is greatly threatened by radicalism. It affects the situation in the Balkans and throughout Europe. I'm afraid that Europe doesn't see this, or doesn't want to see it. And it may already be too late, when the danger is already in front of the doors.
– As far as I understand, we can say that the aggravation of the situation with Muslims in Montenegro, BiH, and Serbia - in particular, in the Presevo Valley, in the Rasha region, Kosovo - is this all actually the work of the Turkish special services?
– I don’t deal with special services separately, but I periodically read in analytical notes that the Turkish special services are very active. At the same time, they not only work openly, but also operate through various NGOs and other organizations. And here there is a strategy for returning the Balkans to Muslims.
In this regard, I hope that the Balkan peoples can understand that this may be a new danger for all of us. It would be wise if Turkey followed the road of cooperation, without any territorial claims and without directly supporting the destruction of the territorial sovereignty of the Balkan peoples, and especially Serbia - Raska and Kosovo and Metohija.
For me, this position is fundamental: Kosovo is part of Serbia, both according to the Constitution of our country and according to UN Resolution 1244. If Turkey supports the destruction of such states, it will also support the destruction of other states, in particular in the Middle East and the South Caucasus
Turkish imperialism goes hand in hand with Muslim extremism in Europe – former Serbian ambassador to Russia