28 Mar 2024
Sunday 16 April 2017 - 16:48
Story Code : 257403

How biggest day for Turkey in decades may influence ties with Russia

Sputnik News- With Turkey holding a referendum on Sunday on controversial changes to its constitution, people remain divided on whether the proposed amendments would help bring a stable government or give excessive powers to the president.

In a bid towin the votes ofthe fence-sitters, the government is strengthening ties withIran and Russia byparticipating inthe Geneva and Astana talks onending the conflict inSyria.

In an interview with Sputnik Turkey, Ankara University professor Birol Akgun said that inPresident Recep Tayyip Erdogans desire tocement ties withRussia time-serving political considerations took the back seat toa strategic vision ofa long-term partnership withRussia.

Turkeys continued participation inthe Astana and Geneva talks has nothing todo with Sundays referendum. Turkey highly values the ceasefire achieved thanks tothe concerted effort byRussia and Iran, and which meets our strategic interests and long-term plans, Birol Akgun told Sputnik Turkey.

He explained Ankaras support forthe recent US missile attack ona military base inSyria bya desire toend the Syrian armys military campaign inIdlib, which could send a new wave ofSyrian refugees running towardsthe Turkish border.

We already have about3.5 million Syrian refugees here and more ofthem coming incould antagonize the local population. This, inturn, could impact the outcome ofSundays vote, Professor Akgun emphasized.

He said that Deputy Prime Minister Mehmet Sinseks upcoming visit toMoscow reflected Ankaras desire tobroaden trade and other economic coperation withRussia.

President Erdogans telephone linkup withPresident Putin [on Thursday] underscored his desire tohave a long-term strategic partnership withRussia. That friendly exchange, which came amidrumors abouta new cool inbilateral relations overthe situation inSyria, allayed all doubts aboutthis, Birol Akgun noted.

He added that many inTurkey welcomed President Erdogans call toPutin and the announcement ofVice Premier Simseks planned visit toMoscow.
Though not directly related toSundays referendum, this could influence its outcome because all influential politicalns and reasonable people inTurkey are holding outfor closer ties withRussia, Professor Akgun emphasized.


If passed, the amendments tothe constitution would dramatically expand President Erdogan's powers.

The role aspresident, which is now largely ceremonial, would become the country's chief executive, have dominant power overthe judiciary and be much more powerful thanthe parliament.

Although "yes" campaigners currently slightly lead inpolls, it is hard tomake any predictions, and political tension remains high.

Since the failed coup inJuly 2016, more than130,000 teachers, civil servants, academics and state officials have been fired, and nearly 50,000 arrested.
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