A Brief Overview of Turkish Foreign Policy - Part 1

The period between 2002 and 2012 was important for Turkish Foreign Policy. Especially in the context of Turkish-American and Turkish Russian relations. Ali Babacan and Ahmet Davutoğlu were the two ministers of foreign affairs during this period, and we can say that the policies that Davutoğlu formalized were influential in practice.

The foreign policy of new Turkey after JDP came to power included/aimed some main principles such as: aiming security and democratization in the region, zero problems with the neighbors by being solution-oriented, having an active role and multidimensional structure, including the economical, demographic and cultural factors into policy-making processes and lastly seeing Turkey as a rising power, aiming to be pro-active state, with the idea of neo-ottomans. So the aim was to act accordingly in the long run.

Thus, the general idea about Turkey was that thanks to its geographical and historical position, it should be taken as an example state by those who need it and respected by the ones who are equal powers in the international arena. We can say that Turkey has benefited from all the above-mentioned advantages in its relations with Russia, mostly from its geographical place. However, as a result of this positive attitude towards the US’s all-time rival and the current security issues of the US after the 9/11 attacks, American relations followed a rather complicated turn.

Looking into Russian relations in detail we can say that up until the Arab Spring, the interests of the two countries were in line with each other. Erdoğan and Putin formed an advantageous diplomatic and economic relationship that benefited both sides. Especially with the rejection of the US’s bill on the issue of Iraq, the zero problems with neighbors policy principle of Turkey became more clear. Moreover, to Russia, this rejection served as a sign of trust in Turkey. Turkey’s foreign political life benefited from this positive relationship with Russia related to other developments. Such as Russia supporting Turkey for its EU membership. 

In addition, protocols on issues such as energy, technology, culture, and so on were signed. These improve both countries’ economic power at that time. On Turkey and Russia’s foreign policy, natural gas agreements, energy projects, and tourism-related issues were some of the topics that they got along well with. Moreover, it can be seen from all of the improvements above and the talk of 2 gas pipelines construction under the lands of Turkey that two-sided trust and willingness to cooperate existed on both sides’ foreign policies.

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