In an interview with Radikal (in Turkish), CTR Visiting Scholar Aylin Unver Noi discusses the Mediterranean Basin Initiative, as well as the opportunity and possibility for a Council of Europe in the Middle East and North Africa, an idea on which she expands in A New Paradigm: Perspectives on the Changing Mediterranean (Sasha Toperich and Andy Mullins, eds.; Center for Transatlantic Relations/Brookings Institution Press, 2014). Professor Noi offers analysis on the Arab Spring and Turkeys response to developments in the Mediterranean, arguing that the establishment of a rights-focused body like the Council of Europe would be a vital tool to reverse the slide toward extremism in large swathes of the Mediterranean: To realize the establishment of Council of Middle East and North Africa in the region is quite difficult, but at the same time vital to reverse the region’s destination, which is more towards increasing radicalism threatening human security in the region, toward democracy, human rights and liberties for all.” She asserts that Turkey (due to its history and importance in the region) and Tunisia (for its spark of the Arab Spring and its tremendous progress made since then) should take the lead on such a project: Turkey, as a founding member of the Council of Europe, has the know-how and experience that it can share with the rest of the region. Tunisia, as a country that lit the fire of revolution and has a less problematic transition period in comparison to other countries in transition, can play the leading role with Turkey to launch this initiative, the establishment of the Council of Middle East and North Africa to improve human security.
Posted on: Tue, 05 Aug 2014 05:52:20 +0000
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