Central Florida Universitesi, Siyaset Bilimi Bölümünde Yüksek Lisansını "TURKEY’S RELATIONS WITH THE TURKIC COUNTRIES IN THE CASPIAN SEA REGION" başlıklı tez çalışmasıyla tamamlayan Şeyma Akkoyunlu ile Ankara'nın Kafkasya ve Orta Asya'daki Türk Cumhuriyetlerine yönelik politikalarını tartışacağız. 

TURKEY’S RELATIONS WITH THE TURKIC COUNTRIES IN THE CASPIAN SEA REGION

Abstract

This thesis will determine the influence of Turkey’s domestic resources on Turkey’s foreign relations with the five Turkic states in the Caspian Sea Region. The spheres analyzed in this study are the common ties, which are history, culture, religion and language, with the regional countries, pan-Turkism, Turkey’s initial interactions as well as ongoing constructive policies in the region. Findings showed that both Turkey and the five Turkic republics were enthusiastic to carry their relations in every field to future cooperation following the break up of the Soviet Union. However the Turkic Republics’ interest in Turkish development model gradually declined starting from the 1994s.The hypothesis that socio-cultural ties will ease establishing close foreign relations is applicable to all five republics. The Turkic states welcomed Turkey’s educational and cultural policies with great willingness. In the field of business we find that Turkish economy follows a similar pattern in its relations with the Azerbaijani and Central Asian markets. Accordant policy goals of Turkey and the five republics led Turkey to establish close foreign relations with the regional countries. Turkey tried to give military aid to the Turkic republics of Central Asia in their struggle against terrorist groups which have the capacity to destabilize governments and to threaten international security. The hypothesis that the more Turkey has business interests in the Caspian Sea Region the more Turkey will have closer foreign relations with Turkic countries is mostly apparent in the case of Azerbaijan. In the area of energy politics Turkey has its strongest link with Azerbaijan. Besides being strong economic partners Turkey is Azerbaijan’s biggest supporter in the region against Armenia.