IPE Club has held an interview with the Chairman of Department of Economics and the Founder of European Union Relations Department of the Near East University – Prof.Dr. Hüseyin Özdeşer. During this interview we have spoken about the most essential topics in the world agenda today. Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Özdeşer has shared his knowledge and opinion on the political and economic importance of European Union, Brexit story, energy resources issue in the Middle East and Eastern Mediterranean, and expressed his view on the most recent developments and news in the world and region as such. This interview became possible due to the efforts of IPE Club Junior Researcher and Representative in Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Mr. Abid Bahrami.
WHY EU IS IMPORTANT TO THE WORLD ECONOMICS AND POLITICS?
When we say EU we mean the second economical superpower in the world. After the collapse of the Europe in the aftermath of the WWII, European Union has been established with the financial means of the United States. The establishment of European Union was very important for the future of globalization because as long as EU is built by the financial aid of United States that means that strong, powerful, free-trade economic structures to be created throughout. When we say free or globalized economy, we mean there are no economic borders between the countries. Even the countries of the former Eastern communist bloc and former members of ex-Soviet Union, like Czech Republic, Slovakia, Romania are the part of EU, in other words, are the parts of globalized economic system. So the EU did one thing for US, decreased number of so-called “closed” economies, which in fact means, more liberal economies – bigger market for United States. Especially, after the collapse of Soviet Union, US became the sole leader both economically and politically. Thus, through EU, US decreased or, we can say even nullified the number of socialist economies and completely blocked the possibility of appearance of such on the continent. What we can say is that, the EU is guarantor power of globalization, regionally and internationally.
WHY BREXİT IS IMPORTANT FOR INTERNATIONAL POLITICS AND ECONOMICS?
When it comes to the Brexit, is there any threat for the Europe to collapse if Brexit accomplishes. Of course, there is. European Union is standing now on the advantages it provides to the people living in EU. Of course Brexit showed to the world that there is a big danger for EU to collapse, if the EU authorities continue not to see the problems and not to search the ways to overcome them. The success of Britain with Brexit would also pose a threat to the future of EU by giving an example: if Britain can, why not us? This is one of the reason Brexit is important in political terms. Another point is that Britain has never accepted to use the common currency, thus, with the Brexit, Euro will become a currency of a block that might collapse. This is also giving some risks for future value of Euro. We should not forget that we are talking about a currency for 19+9 member-states, not a single country. Thus, politically, there is a threat of collapse of EU and, economically, there is a threat of collapse of EU Monetary Union. Moreover, we must not forget that EU is realizing about 34% of the world trade and 1/3 of world’s production, thus, if something happens within the borders of EU will affect those countries, which are in political and economic relations with the Union. Anything in the EU will cause the chain reaction in another regions and world as a whole.
HOW DO YOU SEE THE ENERGY PROBLEM IN THE WORLD AND IN THE MEDITERRANEAN REGION?
Energy has been one of the main problems of the world, since the industrialization process started in the Europe. Everything has begun from the search of the closest oil-rich region, which is Middle East. Thus the attempts to occupy some parts of Turkey and Middle East did not stop and still are going on. What is happening now in Iraq, Syria, Libya is the outcome of the search for energy resources. Now the problem is, that the Middle Eastern countries did not even see how the United States started the occupation and destruction of the region with the invasion of Iraq veiled by the attack against Saddam Hussein. And if countries in the Middle East were united politically and economically, like the EU, United states would not be able to success. But, the main problem in Middle east countries is that they do not have the democratic system. Many think that democracy is “cheap”, however, democracy is very “expensive” and Europe paid for it, Europe died for it in the times of French Revolution. Nobody gave the democracy or human rights to Europe, Europe fought for it. In the Middle East countries no one fought, they accepted their leaders, saw them as holy people and accepted to leave under regulations imposed.
WHAT IS THE ROLE AND IMPACT OF THE MIDDLE EAST ENERGY RESOURCES TO THE WORLD?
Energy means everything to economy and industry. If those Middle Eastern countries would stop their energy supplies to Europe, the industry will collapse. We have seen this in 1970s, when the petroleum supplies to Europe has stop and the economic crises hit almost the whole continent. Thus, those who holds the energy resources, are strong and powerful. That is why United States and other countries are in this region. Understanding the ability of energy to rule the world, no any power will allow the flourishing of democracy in all its aspects in this part of the world. Dictators and good relations with them are the priorities, since will give the possibility to get the energy when it is required.
CYPRUS PROBLEM – WHY IT IS NOT SOLVED UP TO NOW?
Cyprus as its known it is one of the old problems of the modern times, which is not resolved up to now. The main reason behind this deadlock is that the Greek Cypriots see their Turkish counterparts as the minority on the island and they believe that a minority can not have right in any way, can not, under any circumstances, to have leadership over the majority, can not have any demand. Having less population can give us less share economically, but not when it comes to the leadership or authority. In other words, Greek Cypriot authorities do not see Turkish Cypriots as equals. Another important point that Greek Cypriots are pointing at is their demand in “zero Turkish troops” on the island, which is not acceptable. Turkish army is the guarantor of safety of Turkish Cypriots who can not trust the world, UN, EU and other organizations. The examples of Syria and Iraq are in front of us and international community has done nothing, so for Turkish Cypriots community the only trustworthy authority and guarantor is Turkish army. But no one has to forget that there will be no solution and positive development without Turkish Cypriots and Turkey involved in the matters.
*The full video of the interview will be available on IPE Club YouTube Channel: IPE Club
