Erdogan says he intends to improve relations with the US
In recent months, the Eastern Mediterranean region has become a focus of tension not only with the European countries that are located there, such as Greece and Cyprus, with which disagreements are more common, but also with others that are less so, such as France and Germany. Turkish interference in the Libyan conflict, over which there is a European mission to ensure compliance with the arms embargo, has led to several clashes between the Turkish navy and the French and German navies. Since then, the rhetoric between the Turkish leader and the French president has escalated, causing a major problem within NATO and, to a lesser extent, the European Union.
The Turkish president has no alternative. He must broaden his alliance and seek the support of other countries to stay at the helm, as a change of course does not seem feasible and the economic situation aggravated by the coronavirus does not help either.
Likewise, and in light of the new Biden Administration, which will not be as accommodating to the Eurasian country as was the previous Trump Administration, Turkey seemed ready to return to the path of centrism and resume relations with the EU and the US.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday night expressed his desire to develop relations between Turkey and the United States, while numerous disputes have poisoned relations between the two NATO allies in recent years. "We want to strengthen our cooperation with the new US administration on a mutually beneficial basis," he said in a video released by the Turkish presidency on Twitter.
Ankara's foreign policy has evolved into a complex web of alliances and enmities - and sometimes alliances and enmities at the same time - in many of the most important geopolitical theatres in the Eastern Mediterranean region, its sphere of influence.
The US-Turkey relationship has gone through various stages throughout its history. Today, the US-Turkey relationship can be said to be at a turning point. But despite the many frictions that may exist between the two powers, both the Greek and Eurasian countries are aware that they need each other in one way or another.
The Turkish head of state also expressed his conviction that "the common interests of Turkey and the United States outweigh their differences".
Turkey had greeted the election of Joe Biden with some mistrust, fearing US toughness on many issues.
Even so, the US welcomes this gesture with caution, as this is not the first time Turkey has sought to bring Washington and Turkey closer together, but it is true that the serious situation facing the Turkish economy has forced Erdogan to backtrack and put aside the fraternal rhetoric of recent months in order to seek a return to normality in terms of relations with NATO.
Indeed, outside its borders, the situation does not look promising for Turkey's interests. While Erdogan has been able to weave strategic ties of some importance around himself, his constant back-and-forth has meant that the major powers do not see Turkey as a reliable partner. Perhaps the clearest example is Ankara's complicated relationship with NATO.
In the framework of the US return to NATO, Joe Biden stressed that the foundation of collective security and common prosperity is built on the partnership between Europe and the US: "In my view this is and must remain a pillar of everything we want to achieve in the 21st century, as we did in the 20th century".
He added that the world is at a turning point in the face of new crises and that the US will therefore work closely with its EU partners.
He reiterated his commitment to NATO and welcomed the "increasing investment" of European partners in military capabilities.
For the time being, Turkey will continue on the path of de-escalation to avoid further EU and NATO sanctions, though the talks do not promise to be easy. Meanwhile, Turkish officials are already preparing for a cooling of relations with the US, as the new administration is not expected to be as permissive towards Erdogan.