It was certainly no coincidence to schedule the G-20 summit just after the UN General Assembly. In addition, the debate about the International Monetary Fund (IMF) reform was launched almost at the same moment.The IMF is actually discussing changing its members' quotas and their voting powers as well as the obligation to elect the managing director from a European state. This discussion is taking place because, according to projections, the “top 10” list of the world's economies will not be the same as today in 20 or 25 years. It appears that while Europe's influence decreases, the importance of “promising” countries such as China, India, Brazil and Turkey will increase. Even though 20 years later the US will still be the world's biggest economy and the world will still need Russian gas, the center of gravity will slide to the East.
The fact that the G-8 forum is about to leave its leading role to the G-20 is another reason for the demand for reform of the IMF. The countries that have caused the financial crisis are aware that they will not be able to manage it by themselves. It's good to know that they are learning, but a lack of political vision can still play a negative role during the designation of countries which will supervise the world economy. It's also important to remember that the “common mind” that can derive from the G-20 can one day constitute a legitimate basis for reforming the UN Security Council.
France and the UK, which are permanent members of the Security Council, don't seem to be able to preserve their present clout according to economic predictions, while Germany appears to be maintaining its influence, and Turkey is on the rise. When the time comes, France will probably oppose the idea to include Germany in the Security Council. Anyway, in the event of institutional reform in the UN, the Security Council's “enlargement” cannot be limited to Germany, and it can also include Japan, India, Brazil and perhaps even Turkey, which happens to have a large Muslim population. As Turkey is a candidate to the European Union, plays an important role in many strategic bilateral and multilateral initiatives and has a seat in the G-20, it is naturally difficult to neglect it while discussing the IMF and Security Council reforms.
President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan had a tête-à-tête following the official dinner to which all G-20 leaders were invited. Europeans should be more curious than Turks about what these two said to each other. But this meeting's subject is not a mystery. The US has put a priority on Turkey when rearranging the multilateral rules of the global economic and political system. At the same time, Russia, as the other determinant actor, has announced that it accepts this fact.
The UN General Assembly and G-20 summit prove that there are countries which are in favor of granting a more important role to Turkey in the international system and they are calling on the European states to help Turkey a little bit more. All this, when Europe is driven to the “second best actor” role in place of its usual leading position. We should keep in mind that this evolution is largely the result of Europe's own choices and decisions. Some countries may try to drive Turkey away from Europe, but in the end they should feel obliged to invite Turkey to the restricted club of those who administer the EU.
Benzer Haberler 
