露トルコ急接近 米欧の安保秩序に影を落とす

The Yomiuri Shimbun
Rapid Russia-Turkey rapprochement casts shadow on West’s security order
露トルコ急接近　米欧の安保秩序に影を落とす

If Turkey, a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, becomes excessively close to Russia, it would affect the security order led by the United States and Europe. The current situation is serious.
　北大西洋条約機構（ＮＡＴＯ）加盟国のトルコがロシアに過度に接近すれば、米欧主導の安全保障秩序に影響しよう。深刻な事態である。

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has held talks in Russia with Russian President Vladimir Putin, in which they agreed to mend the bilateral relations strained after the shooting down of a Russian military jet by Turkey in November.
　トルコのエルドアン大統領がロシアでプーチン大統領と会談し、昨年１１月のトルコによる露軍機撃墜以降、悪化している関係を修復することで合意した。

Stating that Erdogan apologized for the downing of the plane in June, Russia is set to gradually lift economic sanctions on Turkey, including restrictions on sightseeing trips to the country and an import ban on Turkish livestock and agricultural products. During his latest visit to Russia, Erdogan even described Putin as his “dear friend.”
　ロシアは、エルドアン氏が今年６月に撃墜を謝罪したとして、トルコへの観光旅行の制限や、トルコ産農産物の禁輸など、経済制裁を段階的に解除する。エルドアン氏は今回の訪露で、プーチン氏を「親友」とまで呼んだ。

The easing of tensions between the two nations can be a positive move conducive to preventing the regional situation from becoming complicated. What is worrying is that the rapid formation of a closer relationship between the two countries noticeably points to their ulterior motive of restraining the United States and European nations.
　緊張緩和は地域情勢の複雑化を避ける上で評価できる。懸念されるのは、両国の急接近に米欧牽制けんせいの思惑が目立つことである。

Erdogan escalated a purge of opponents after an abortive coup took place in July. The president has demanded Washington extradite a religious leader living in the United States whom Erdogan regards as the mastermind of the coup attempt. He is also considering reinstating the death penalty, a move the European Union opposes.
　エルドアン氏は、７月のクーデター未遂事件後、反対勢力の粛清をエスカレートさせた。事件の黒幕とみなす在米宗教指導者の引き渡しを米国に要求し、欧州連合（ＥＵ）が反対する死刑制度の復活も検討している。

Erdogan’s efforts to forge a highly amicable relationship with Russia without listening to U.S. and European criticism directed at him may indicate his determination to adhere to an iron-fisted regime, even by abandoning his country’s long-cherished aim of gaining accession to the EU.
　米欧の批判に耳を貸さず、ロシアとの蜜月を演出したのは、長年の目標であるＥＵ加盟を断念してでも、強権統治を貫くという意思の表れではないか。

Maintain dialogue with EU

Turkey has also hinted at suspending a measure to accept Syrian refugees remaining in Greece. If Turkey’s accord reached with the EU in March is scrapped, there would inevitably be a renewed rise in the number of refugees who are smuggled into European countries.
　トルコは、ギリシャに滞留するシリア難民を受け入れる措置の停止もちらつかせている。今年３月のＥＵとの合意が白紙になれば、欧州への密航者が再び増加するのは避けられまい。

It is important for Turkey and the EU to maintain their dialogue so common ground can be found in their positions, a task necessary to steadily implement the agreement.
　合意の着実な履行に向けて、トルコとＥＵは対話を維持し、接点を探ることが肝要である。

Russia has been at odds with the United States and European nations over the Ukraine situation and other issues. Russia’s acceptance of Turkey’s calls for improving their ties at this juncture may signify an attempt to shake NATO and take the initiative in dealing with the Syrian situation.
　ウクライナ情勢などを巡って、ロシアは米欧と対立を続けている。この時期にトルコとの関係改善に応じたのは、ＮＡＴＯを揺さぶり、シリア情勢の主導権を握る狙いがあるのだろう。

Russia joins Iran in supporting the government of Syrian President Bashar Assad. In mid-August, Russian forces for the first time used an air base in Iran to conduct air strikes in Syria.
　ロシアはイランと共に、シリアのアサド政権の後ろ盾となっている。ロシア軍は今月半ば、初めてイランの空軍基地を利用し、シリア空爆も行った。

Given that Turkey, as a member of the U.S. and European camp, is supporting Syria’s antigovernment forces, the mending of ties between Moscow and Ankara seems to have been intended to keep the Assad administration in place by drawing Turkey closer to the Russian side.
　米欧側の一員として反体制派を支援するトルコをロシア側に引き寄せることで、政権温存につなげようとしているのではないか。

The U.S. military is conducting air strikes on the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant militant group in Syria using an air base in Turkey from which to send planes. If Turkey continues to cozy up to Russia, it would adversely affect the U.S. operations. That could also hinder peace talks over Syria.
　米軍は、トルコの空軍基地を拠点に、シリアで過激派組織「イスラム国」に対する空爆を行っている。トルコの対露接近が続けば、作戦にも悪影響が出る。シリア和平協議の障害にもなろう。

U.S. Vice President Joe Biden will soon visit Turkey. His visit must serve as an opportunity to find out about Erdogan’s true motives while also rebuilding relations between their nations.
　米国のバイデン副大統領は近くトルコを訪問する。エルドアン氏の真意を探り、関係を立て直す契機とせねばならない。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 21, 2016)