Turkey’s security perspectives can be analysed in terms of concentric circles. The nucleus is the Turkish domestic scene, followed by her immediate security environment comprised of neighbours. Then comes the broader geography consisting of regions and countries that have indirect bearing on Turkey’s security concerns yet which have historical, cultural or ethnic affinities. Euro-Atlantic and wider frameworks of security including NATO and the EU is the following building block. Finally the uniquely universal security organisation, the UN completes the picture. In short, the new security environment presents the international community with universal challenges which must be addressed with vision, determination, solidarity and cooperation, if future generations are to be given a better world. A building-blocks approach to security issues, starting at the immediate environment with a view to enhancing mutual understanding, confidence and cooperation, moving on to a wider geo-strategic context through effective use of multilateral mechanisms, thus pursuing active and positive engagement in a geo-strategic continuum is a viable approach. Turkey has the right strategic vision and capacity to bring its useful contribution in this contex.
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