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Transcript/Script((PLAYBOOK SLUG: TURKEY CHINA MIDDLE CORRIDOR
HEADLINE: Conflicts Boost Turkey’s Interest in New China-Europe Trade Route
TEASER: The Ukraine war, sanctions on Russia, and attacks by Houthis triggered by the Israel-Hamas conflict are making the Middle Corridor project more attractive to Turkey and prompting a big turnaround in Ankara’s relations with Beijing
PUBLISHED AT: 01/25/2024 at 2:30pm
BYLINE: Dorian Jones
CONTRIBUTOR:
DATELINE: Istanbul
VIDEOGRAPHER: Agencies, Courtesy, Berke Bas-Do not use name for security reasons.
PRODUCER:
SCRIPT EDITORS: LR, MAS
VIDEO SOURCE (S): VOA ORIGINAL, REUTERS, AFP, TURKISH PRESIDENCY: PART NO ACCESS FROM CUBA / IRAN / SYRIA / NORTH KOREA / SUDAN / CRIMEA, see script
PLATFORMS: WEB __ TV _X_ RADIO __
TRT: 3:27
VID APPROVED BY: MAS
TYPE: TV/R
UPDATE: ))
((INTRO)) [[The conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East are fueling new interest by Turkey in a new China-Europe trade route known as the Middle Corridor. As Dorian Jones reports from Istanbul, Turkey’s support for the corridor is growing as Ankara makes a big turnaround in its previously frosty relations with Beijing.]]
((NARRATOR))
With the war in Ukraine showing no signs of ending, Ankara sees an opportunity in the Middle Corridor project, a multilateral transit route linking China to Europe via Turkey that will help circumvent Russia and the sanctions the West has imposed on it.
[[RADIO VERSION: Professor Cagdas Ungor of political science at Istanbul’s Marmara University:]]
((Cagdas Ungor, Marmara University -ON CAMERA ((female in English))
“It's going to be an alternative corridor to the Russian Trans-Siberian railway, which is, as I understand, getting popular as an idea because, well, most of the European
countries are now of course trying to bypass Russia in terms of transmitting their commodities from China to Europe and vice versa.”
((NARRATOR))
At last year’s summit of Central Asian leaders, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan referred to the multilateral project by its official name, underlining the importance Turkey’s government now attaches to it.
[[RADIO VERSION: The Turkish leader said the value of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route initiative has been increased by the current developments, referring to the conflicts between Russia and Ukraine, and between Israel and Hamas. Erdogan said Turkey must continue to coordinate and boost the corridor for Turkey and China’s mutual benefit.]]
((Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkish President - male in Turkish)-AFP))
"The value of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route initiative has been increased by the current developments. We must continue to coordinate and improve the functioning of this corridor simultaneously for our mutual benefit.”
((NARRATOR))
The Red Sea is another alternative route between China and Europe and analysts say Houthi attacks on ships triggered by the Israel-Hamas war make the Middle Corridor project even more attractive to Turkey.
((Mandatory cg. Turkish Presidency))
((NARRATOR))
Turkish support for the corridor is growing as relations between Ankara and Beijing also improve.
[[RADIO VERSION: Diren Dogan an international relations lecturer at Alanya Alaaddin Keykubat Üniversity in southern Turkey says that improvement is evidenced by gestures that include a recent visit by China’s foreign minister.]]
((Diren Dogan, Alanya Alaaddin Keykubat Üniversity ((female in English))
((ZOOM))
“Relations between two countries always (have had) ups and downs. But when we look at (them) today, we can see that the relations between China and (Turkey) are rising,
((Mandatory cg. Turkish Presidency))
especially since (Chinese Foreign Minister) Wang Yi's visit to Turkey. It is not about
((end courtesy))
the bilateral motivation, but also regional and global system, the global system as you know is changing.”
((NARRATOR))
Turkey’s relations with China had been strained over Ankara's criticism of Beijing's crackdown on its Muslim Uyghur minority, with many dissidents finding sanctuary in Turkey.
But analysts say Turkey is making a choice and softening its stance.
[[RADIO VERSION: Ceren Ergenc is a China specialist at the Centre for European Policy Studies in Brussels.]]
((Ceren Ergenc, Centre for European Policy Studies ((Female in English))
((ZOOM))
“China perceives Turkey as a high political risk country in the region due to the Uyghur issue. // The government recently - just before the New Year - had to reveal that they prefer to maintain good relations with the Chinese state rather than fully or explicitly supporting the Uyghur cause.”
((NARRATOR))
((NO ACCESS FROM CUBA / IRAN / SYRIA / NORTH KOREA / SUDAN / CRIMEA))
Analysts say substantial obstacles still need to be overcome with the Middle Corridor requiring customs harmonization between the transit countries and significant infrastructure expenses.
[[RADIO VERSION: Political scientist Cagdas Ungor at Istanbul’s Marmara University:]]
((Cagdas Ungor, Marmara University -ON CAMERA ((female in English))
“The main problem right now is the financial aspect. Who gets to invest in the Middle Corridor?”
((NARRATOR))
Erdogan sees much to gain in his bid for influence in the region and has been deepening diplomatic ties with Central Asian countries. Analysts say turning Turkey into an economic bridge between East and West would accelerate that process and deliver economic rewards.
((Dorian Jones, for VOA News, Istanbul))
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
NetworkVOA
Embargo DateJanuary 25, 2024 14:25 EST
BylineDorian Jones
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English, US Agency for Global Media
