Turkey’s Geopolitical Position and its Role as an Energy Corridor
while those living on the Moldova proper spoke Moldovian and identified strongly with neighbouring Romania. This frightened the Russian-speaking population of Moldova on the left side of Dniester, who felt a much stronger allegiance to Moscow. As a result of this, Transnistria proclaimed its independence in 1990. The independence of this territory of 555,000 inhabitants is not recognized by any country. Without the diplomatic recognition of the international community, its sustainability as an independent state is questionable; and its annexation to the faraway Russian Federation would be neither easy nor practical. A solution that would satisfy both the Russian Federation and the remainder of the international community is not yet in sight. 4. Turkey’s role in the Black Sea basin Turkey is one of the major players in the Black Sea basin. It has the second longest coast line on the Black Sea after Ukraine. However, from the standpoint of the handling capacities of harbours on the Black Sea coast it is the largest, because the number of Turkish harbours on the Black Sea coast is by far greater than those of all other littoral countries. Furthermore, Turkey is the second largest military power in the Black Sea basin after the Russian Federation. It is a major NATO country. In light of these parameters, Turkey has the means to contribute to both military and economic cooperation in the Black Sea basin. C. The Caucasus The Caucasus has become one of the most volatile regions in close proximity to Europe. Three of the so-called “frozen” - or suspended—“conflicts” are in this region. Furthermore, its closeness to energy sources and energy routes is another reason for the region to be of concern. One of these areas of conflict, namely Nogorno Karabakh, is between Azerbaijan and Armenia; the two others, South Ossetia and Abkhazia, are between Georgia and its autonomous regions (ones that have declared their independence from Georgia.) However Russia, rather than the autonomous republics, has to be considered as the main interlocutor.
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YASAR YAKIS