Türkiye’s Delayed Right Step: Spitzbergen/Svalbard Treaty
Polar regions are geographical areas that arouse human curiosity and require a considerable amount of effort to reach. Spitzbergen/Svalbard Archipelago, located within the Norwegian “stewardship” in the Arctic Region, has attracted considerable attention from several different countries since the ar...
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| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Istanbul University Press
2023-09-01
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| Series: | Avrasya İncelemeleri Dergisi |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://cdn.istanbul.edu.tr/file/JTA6CLJ8T5/362F1FD192FD4D2191362B035D162027 |
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| Summary: | Polar regions are geographical areas that arouse human curiosity and require a considerable amount of effort to reach. Spitzbergen/Svalbard Archipelago, located within the Norwegian “stewardship” in the Arctic Region, has attracted considerable attention from several different countries since the area was discovered in 1596. Serving as a base for exploring the coasts of the Arctic Ocean and other geographies, the Spitzbergen/Svalbard Archipelago is home to a wide and unique range of marine creatures, such as polar bears, whales, and walruses. The discovery of mineral and energy resources in the later centuries initiated industrialization in this region. Since the late 19th century, several countries, such as Norway, Sweden, the United States, Germany, and Denmark, have established observation and research stations in the area. Until 1920, when the Archipelago held terra nullius status, several countries, including France, Spain, Great Britain, Norway, the Russian Empire, and Denmark, sought to establish sovereignty by asserting territorial claims. Following World War I, on February 9, 1920, the Spitzbergen/Svalbard Treaty was signed in Versailles during the Paris Peace Conference. The treaty, signed by 46 countries today, ensures the principle of equality for the citizens of these countries and does not grant privileges to anyone. Owing to the lack of regard shown to this treaty by defeated countries in the war, such as Germany and Soviet Russia, the Ottoman Empire did not take a side. It can be understood that the newly established Turkish state did not consider becoming a party to the Spitzbergen/ Svalbard Treaty owing to its participation in the National Struggle and the difficult conditions brought about by the war. Türkiye should increase its efforts to participate in the Arctic from cultural, scientific, historical, and commercial perspectives through research bases and technology. Although it may be late to enter the Arctic, attempts to become a party to the Spitzbergen/Svalbard Treaty will contribute to scientific studies and projects related to global climate change, marine life, and energy resources. As of 2022, 5,904 scientists from 52 countries have visited the Spitzbergen/ Svalbard Archipelago for scientific research, including 616 active projects. |
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| ISSN: | 2147-7469 |