A nontraditional politician in a very traditional world

An academic more than a minister, an intellectual more than a politician, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu simply introduces a “new age” in diplomacy.

With his deep knowledge and interest in history, culture and political science, Davutoğlu turns diplomacy into a synthesis of real and human politics.

Traveling to Spain with him during a hectic visit, covering four cities in just two and a half days, provided a unique opportunity to observe his dynamism. It would not be an exaggeration to describe the minister’s way of conducting diplomacy as impressive.

Let me summarize our trip to Spain as an example of how he handles this task: The private jet took off from Istanbul to Seville, Spain, late Saturday afternoon. After our arrival, a one-hour drive took the whole delegation – comprising diplomats, journalists and security – to Cordoba, one of the most historical cities in Spain.

A city in Andalusia, Cordoba was the capital during the Umayyad Caliphate between the eighth and 12th centuries and still carries the footprints of Muslim civilization. On Sunday, Davutoğlu and his host, Miguel Angel Moratinos, toured history in the footsteps of the Romans, Arabs, Jews and Christians, going from the great Friday Mosque of Cordoba to the Medinat Al-Zahra.

The Mosque of Cordoba is considered to be the most significant Islamic monument ever built in the West. The Gate of Forgiveness, the minaret, the Courtyard of the Orange Trees, the Mihrab and the labyrinth of arches and pillars make the monument worth a visit.

On every occasion, Davutoğlu demonstrated his vast knowledge about the Muslim civilization of the region and even declared himself to be Ahmad Al-Qurtubi during the groundbreaking ceremony of the Arab House in Cordoba. Qurtuba is the Arabic name of Cordoba.

Back to Seville on Sunday, Davutoğlu first visited Turkey’s honorary consular and then made the long walk in the city center, where the Cathedral of Seville is located. The third-largest church in the world, it is known as one of the best examples of Gothic cathedrals. Though the delegation could not visit the interior of the cathedral or the Alcazar Castle, as the Spanish bureaucracy was strict on working hours, Davutoğlu compensated for it with a late tour to the Plaza de España.

The city’s most recognized building, built in 1929, the walls of the plaza hold many tiled alcoves, each representing a different province of Spain. As Davutoğlu briefed the members of the delegation on the history of Muslims, especially in Granada and Alhambra, many decided to consider a backpacking journey to the region.

The third stop was Madrid, the country’s capital, where the delegation arrived in one of the city’s most beautiful hotels, the Ritz, at nearly midnight. There the delegation split into smaller groups to explore the city’s best flamenco performances.

No doubt Corral de la Moreria – as advised by Ms. Ayşe Arat, the wife of Turkish Ambassador to Spain Ender Arat – is among the best places to watch this dance. It was thanks to the minister that the members of the delegation learned that the word “flamenco” originated from the Hispano-Arabic “fallah mengu,” which means “expelled slaves.” Madrid means serious stuff.

In the morning, Davutoğlu addressed an audience on Turkey’s vision for the future and then gave interviews to the country’s prominent media outlets. He went to meet with King of Spain Juan Carlos and insisted that he visit Turkey in 2010 instead of 2011.

The last venue in Madrid was Ambassador Arat’s residence, where Davutoğlu and the rest of the delegation held an interesting discussion about the role of universities and the intelligentsia. In his private conversations, Davutoğlu did not hesitate to say that his primary goal was to return to university life as soon as the situation permits him to do so.

“We should change the philosophy of the universities,” he said. “We should turn them into places where thoughts are produced; otherwise they will remain institutions that students attend only to get into a profession.”

Leaving Madrid behind, the jet took off this time for Barcelona, the capital of the Autonomous Community of Catalonia, where Turkey has re-opened its general consulate after 28 years. Ignoring his tiredness, Davutoğlu met with the prime minister of Catalonia and with other prominent personalities of the town.

It was already 9:30 p.m. and everyone was looking into Davutoğlu’s eyes for the signal to rush for the airport, but instead he said, “Are we going to return home without even looking at Gaudi’s La Sagrada Familia?”

The convoy then headed to the church, considered to be the masterpiece of Catalan architect Antoni Gaudi, who started the project in 1883 and planned its full completion by 2075.

In the middle of a briefing to Davutoğlu, one of his aides took the risk of telling him it was time to move along. “You are always doing the same thing. You are cutting off a very beautiful, intellectual event,” Davutoğlu jokingly complained.

Those who might ask whether this visit contained serious political content are advised to re-read the Daily News coverage from Monday and Tuesday.