Vienna… Russian diplomat Anton Mazur said, “Although Russia is the one that pulled out of the agreement, the responsibility belongs to the West. From now on, we find it meaningless to continue conventional weapon negotiation and withdrawing from the AKKA agreement…”
In a period, where countless readings and claims related with the return of the Cold War are refreshed over the Russia-West conflict, the recent decision of Kremlin announces that the European Conventional Forces Agreement (AKKA) had been completely terminated.
Withdrawal does not only amount to returning back to the Cold War, but also, amounts to the “limitless” increase of the hot war –which will look like a front conflict compared to Ukraine- possibility in the front, which almost completely intersects the Northern Hemisphere.
AKKA had been signed by NATO member countries and by Russia, on behalf of the Warsaw Pact, in 1990. According to this agreement, there had been a limitation on the classic weapons that will be stocked in the border regions. This agreement had been revised after the Soviets dispersed, and the final signature on this agreement, which also entitles exceptional rights to Turkey, had been written in Istanbul (1999). In 2007, by leaning on the same worries related with NATO (same as today), Russia put this agreement on hold; however, they maintained their participation.
In order to understand the point arrived at, seeing the actual process is crucial….
This is the picture; however, how many colors?
One of the ex-Prime Ministers of Germany, Helmut Schmidt, said, “Western politicians are required to show understanding toward Russia and Putin. The revenge of the EU’s decision to expand in Eastern Europe in the 1990s is being taken now. If no understanding is shown, then the Ukraine crisis might turn into a “hot war”.” (“Take Putin seriously”, 12/03/ World Bulletin.)
UK’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hammond said, “The aggressive attitude presented by Russia is the single threat for security. Within this context, it’s not a coincidence that our intelligence services are recruiting Russian speaking personnel.” (“Russia is the only threat for our security”, 10/03, AA.)
“It has been stated that the German Prime Minister, Angela Merkel, leaned towards President of the European Union Commission Jean Claude Juncker’s proposal to form an EU army that will help in the resolution of international crises. Berlin stated that Prime Minister Merkel regarded the EU army as a necessity and found the military cooperation important.” (“Green light to the EU army proposal”, 11/03, HaberTürk.)
“It has been stated that German Prime Minister Merkel won’t be participating in the military ceremony that will be organized in Moscow on the occasion of the end of World War II. Merkel has taken this decision due to Russia’s role in Ukraine.” (“Ukraine boycott to Russia”, 12/03, Hürriyet)
Europe is also trying to form an “Energy Union”. In this way, they are planning to exceed the dependency of every country towards Russia and to make energy negotiations single handedly, and this amounts to breaking binary agreements. In the energy wars, it’s the equivalent of the “European Army”.
Berlin's Matryoshka nested doll....
We are witnessing the Russia-West crisis, which blossoming by feeding off the Ukraine crisis, kill the AKKA agreement and simultaneously re-brighten to the idea of a European army.
If you step on it, despite seeing it, then you may not save your leg!
Why?
Let’s have a look at this; “The UK declined Juncker’s, who mentioned the idea of an EU army, suggestion. London made the following announcement; “Defense is not under the EU’s responsibility. Our stance will not change and we don’t see any possibility regarding the European army”.” (“EU army suggestion has divided Europe”, 12/03, DB.)
It translates into this; they regard the EU army as a rival against NATO. According to them, NATO is responsible for the EU’s defense. In other words, the US! There’s more. We need to watch Germany very closely. While there is a tension between them and NATO at the point of approaching the Ukraine crisis, putting forth the EU army topic is significant; however, Berlin might also be a part of this! In other words, Berlin doesn’t see any other army than NATO and it’s Washington’s “Everybody in Europe should increase their defense expenditure and responsibility” plans.
The result of this is; NATO is being dragged in this front by the cold/hot war possibilities, which shone after the collapse of AKKA.
Wings: Are they good or bad for Turkey?
You will hear about what AKKA meant for Ankara from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; however, this will be the popular explanation of this new situation. “NATO’s Deputy Assistant Secretary General for Emerging Security Challenges, Dr. Jamie Shea says, “Turkey is a loyal ally. Their support towards NATO operations proves this.” (“Turkey is a loyal ally for NATO”, 12/03, Milliyet.) So?.... It says; “step on it”….
How?
Like this; “The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs had criticized the drill, which will be carried out in Black Sea with the participation of warships from the US, Turkey, Italy, Canada, Germany and Romania, with a stern language; “Showing military existence close to the dispute region might give birth to extremely bad results that cannot be foreseen!”.” (“The drill tension in Black Sea”, 06/03, Hürriyet.)
As for the meaning of AKKA for us….
Without a doubt, Russia’s decisions and reactions will have reflections on Turkey…
“This agreement is the corner stone of Turkey’s Europe conventional security architecture. Conservation of regional consistency and security are the reasons behind the importance ascribed to the AKKA regulation. It’s contributing towards instituting a proportional military balance in the Caucasus and Black Sea region, increasing the military predictability and preventing armament.” (“Control of Weapons and Disarmament”, Ministry of Foreign Affairs official web site.)
I guess it’s clear.
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