Synopsis of the Turkish Foreign Policy

The primary objective of the Turkish foreign policy is to help secure and nurture a peaceful, prosperous, stable and cooperative environment that is conducive to human development at home and its neighborhood.

In order to attain its national and international objectives, Turkey has adhered to the principles of good relations and cooperation with its neighbors and all countries, and has contributed to international peace, stability, security and prosperity.

The fast-paced global political transformation that started in the early 90s has revived the hopes for a lasting peace on earth, but has also brought a number of uncertainties. Problems like terrorism, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, transnational organized crime and illegal migration have become serious threats to peace in the world. The degradation of the environment and climate change, the tendency of local economic problems to grow quickly into global crises and the efforts by certain circles to fuel cultural differences between societies transpire as global issues that need to be tackled urgently.

In the fragile international environment of today, concepts such as democratization, pluralism, sustainable development, human development, intercultural understanding and the building of harmony and tolerance among cultures are gaining priority and importance. The need to bring solutions to the problems on the basis of international law and effective multilateralism is becoming more evident than ever.

As an active member of today's globalized world, Turkey follows a multi-dimensional, goal-oriented, balanced and humanitarian foreign policy with a view to restoring and maintaining peace, enhancing stability and prosperity in the world and particularly in its vicinity. In this vein, Turkey attaches particular importance to its transatlantic ties, actively contributes as a member to the endeavor of the NATO Alliance to maintain international peace and stability and enhances its relations with countries in its region. Turkey is resolutely headed towards accession to the European Union. It is also helping third countries in solving their bilateral problems and becoming more influential and eminent actors in international politics.

In the Middle East and the Caucasus, regions that are in the immediate vicinity of Turkey, persisting grave problems can erupt at any moment despite all the efforts made to attain lasting peace and stability. Similarly, the situation in the Balkans remains fragile. Therefore, the proactive and positive approach of Turkish foreign policy is both a choice and a necessity brought about by regional challenges.

Consequently, Turkish foreign policy today employs a broad spectrum of peaceful means entailing, inter-alia, humanitarian aid and assistance to the less fortunate, participating in peace-keeping operations and contributing to the resolution of disputes, as well as post-conflict reconciliation and reconstruction efforts.

As a dynamic and responsible member of today's globalized world, Turkey is doing its best to reconcile the West with the East and the North with the South. Turkey is active in a multitude of regions. It serves by way of its geographic location at the heart of Eurasia and its close historical and cultural ties across a vast landscape as a crucial catalyst for enhancing dialogue and interaction between cultures.

As a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the term 2009-2010, Turkey efficiently employs its experience coming from its regional efforts to maintain and enhance peace, stability and prosperity, in contributing to global peace, helping resolution of the present and potential problems and make the world a more peaceful place for humanity.

Institutional relationships that Turkey has established with several leading international and regional organizations covering different areas and functions -whether membership, observer status or dialogue partnership- are the best expressions of the omni-directional character of the Turkish foreign policy. Turkey is a member of the United Nations, the Council of Europe, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), the World Trade Organization (WTO), the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organization (BSEC), the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), the Developing 8 (D-8) and the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA). Turkey also participates in the “Barcelona Process: Union for the Mediterranean”.

The Chairmanship-in-Office of the South East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) was assumed by Turkey from June 2009 to June 2010. Turkey has taken over the Chairmanship of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) from Kazakhstan for 2010-2012, at the Third CICA Summit which was held in İstanbul on 7-9 June 2010. Turkey will also assume the Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe from November 2010 to May 2011.

Turkey, taking an active interest as a permanent observer in the activities of the Organization of American States, the Association of Caribbean States and the African Union , has institutionalized its cooperation through the establishment of a Turkish-Arab Cooperation Forum with the Framework Agreement concluded in 2007 with the Arab League and has moved its Strategic Dialogue with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) into a structured framework in 2008.

In a world where international developments become increasingly complex and difficult to manage, Turkey will resolutely continue to pursue a responsible and constructive foreign policy, inspiring confidence in its region, by way of mobilizing its political, economic and cultural experience in the service of the common ideals of humanity and its national interests.

Last updated: June 2010