Distinguished Attendees,
Esteemed Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Dear Friends,

It is a great pleasure to address you today at the Presidential Session of the 16th Eurasian Economic Summit. As always, our hosts have challenged us with a topical issue of global importance which is crucial for our shared Eurasian space.

Today, we are speaking about the uni-polar or multi-polar world. I do believe that it is always useful to understand first the essence of the concepts we make use of very often. What is the meaning of the concepts of uni-polarity and multi-polarity, what is their origin and where they lead to? What is, indeed, their nature?

Structural realists deem that division of power between states influences the attitude of the nations. In this regard, they distinguish 3 structures within the international system: uni-polar structure where one dominant state exercises power over other states, bi-polar structure where two states or two alliances of states are predominant, resembling the one of the time of the Cold War, and multi-polar structure consisted of several centers of power and influence, which is historically the most present and the longest lasting one. Most probably we should seek the cause for this in the tradition of the states and nations to endure. Indeed, Hugo Grotius in the 17th century said that "Liberty is the power that we have over ourselves".

Esteemed Excellencies,

The day today is symbolic. Exactly 3 centuries ago, on April 11, 1713, the Utrecht Agreement was signed and thus an end was put to the 13-year war for the Spanish legacy and the disturbed European principle of balance of power was re-established. 3 centuries ago, multi-polarity resettled the European scene.

The relative instability in balancing power through the "European Concept" resulted in the World War I. The tendency for uni-polar Europe, however, ended with the World War II and the cost for the humanity was millions of casualties. Two days ago, at the lecture that I delivered at the Istanbul University I said that the European Union was launched as a peace project aimed at prevention of new wars. As a response to the inefficient European concept and the fear of uni-polar Europe, the idea of Europe emerged as a peace project that would equally involve all its member states and nations.

Uni-polar and multi-polar discourse has always gravitated around the concept of super-power. We are aware that the European Union is facing numerous challenges. Yet, every challenge is an opportunity for new solutions. Today, the European Union and Europe in general is not military or economic super-power. Nevertheless, it is definitely life style super-power.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

There are lots of reasons that make multi-polarity dominant in the world history. But I will not take any of your time to discuss the most common ones in the context of the international relations. I will, however, briefly refer to the very nature of multi-polarity.

Universe is not uni-polar, universe is multi-polar. Based on the latest acknowledgments, it is consisted of countless galactic super-clusters which represent huge galactic groups. Our planet Earth is neither uni-polar. It has two geographical and two magnetic poles – north and south. Rotating around its axis, it determines the west and the east. In-between, on the map we recognize the north-east, south-east, north-west and south-west.

To sum up: there is no uni-polarity in nature, nor there is in the universe, in our planet. Counterparts exist. Polarity is everywhere around us: up-down, left-right, hot-cold, small-big, and we would add here good-bad. The battery in our cell phones has two poles – positive and negative. Uni-polarity we speak of today is man-made.

When we speak of uni-polar or multi-polar world, we often forget that basically it concerns human communities.

Aristotle said that the human being is a political being by its nature – zoon politicon. He went on to say that "the one who is unable to live in society, or has no need because he is sufficient for himself must be either a beast or a god". Self-sufficiency is a form of uni-polarity. However, this uni-polarity is apolitical, since there is politics, economy and exchange only in the community which is, according to its nature, multi-polar. There is not a single natural and lasting human community throughout the history that is uni-polar.

Distinguished Attendees,

There are differences among us. We all come from various parts of Euroasia. Our countries differ according to their geography, territory, demography and economy. They differ according to the systems, customs, cultures and traditions. But they are also different in their historical experiences. We are all different and still we have a compass that gives us clear direction where we should move.

The compass that I speak of is the international law. It would be very difficult for us to find our directions in our world if it would not be for that compass. Without compass there would be anarchy in the international relations. The rule of law and the human rights are fundamental principles one cannot compromise with. The international law provides for stability and order.

Distinguished attendes,

The physical compass functions exactly because of the bi-polarity of our planet. Imagine this world without compass. It sounds as a place difficult to live in. But can you imagine the world without poles or with only one dominant geo-magnetic pole? It would not be possible for the compass to function in such circumstances.

Man needs orientation. To orient himself in the space, man has the compass. In the darkness, the light. The states likewise need orientation. I said that the compass is the international law. The light represents the universal values and principles such as: freedom, human rights and human dignity.

Than, where did the idea for uni-polar world come from? Maybe from the human tendency to consider the current situation as permanent and unchangeable. However, it is constantly changing.

If we can say that multi-polarity is a rule, than it can be said that uni-polarity is an exception. And, as every exception, it occurs rarely and lasts shortly.

Therefore, I urge you all, let us not talk of world's uni-polarity but for an ambience in which universal and generally accepted human values, freedom, human rights, security and environmentally sustainable economic growth and development are respected. Let us strive to a world that respects the wealth of diversity. A world that would enable all of us to strive to higher and nobler objectives.

Thank you.