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Turkish Relations with Balkan Countries and its

influence during AKP’s 2002-2013 era

Muharrem Shtavica

Abstract

It is indisputable issue that Balkan Peninsula has always been the key factor not

only for Turkey,but struggle of taking control over the region incited even the

Europe entirely and Soviet Russia as well.As a consequence of the significant geo-

strategic position, Balkans have been the target of the Western and Eastern

countries for centuries.Hereupon, Balkan’s people destiny used to be the dish of

different occupators and an hopeless emancipation of the self-rule.Since the

surveillance of the old empires up until the late Balkan state-nation

conflicts,people of this region followed the trajectory of bloddy-wars,massacres

and prosecutions.Nevertheless,it is expecting to be seen the near future aspirations

which are going to decide the fate of the minor states of the peninsula, whether full

acceptation of the EU membership or they are going to be influenced from the

impact of Turkish policies.

.

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Turkish relations with Balkans between Decades

The interwar period was of the limited number of the the middle-powers.British diplomats and

socio-political elite used to name Turkey as a ‘’small-great’’ power of the Middle East region.

Obviously, middle-sized powers might be under the control of the Great Powers but

simultaneously the middle-sized powers might use and utilize the impotence of the weak

states.Turkey endeavoured to have the chance of being capable overseer of the Middle East zone

for dacades during its republic era.After the treaty of Lausanne, Turkish-Greece mending fences

were already perceived..,hence, Greece stoped thinking anymore as Turkey was aiming its

irredentism politics,but rather as a partnership in Peninsula.

Looking at the role of Turkey in the Balkan region, it had potential influence to act as an middle-

power not solely that Turkey possesses a vast size of its territory but mainly as a result of its

valid and diplomatic power in the region.Turkey could draw its influence more by diplomatic

matters than in physical and military terms.

Turkish stimulus towards the Balkans appears aftermath the World War I. When Italy embarks

its forces in Corfu islands of Greece and also tooks over Fiume alongside the coastal region of

former Serbo-Croat-Slovenian,Turkey tends to be in help by forming the Balkan Entente which

would disperse the possible conflict.

Turkish diplomats and close friends of Ataturk inherited from him the ideal motto regarding

Turkish foreign policy as’’Peace in Country Peace in the World’’. This slogan favoured

generally good relations of Turkey with its neighbors and other foreign policy states.So, Turkish

foreign policy is mainly based upon these two important creiterias; zero-problem with neighbor

countries and the permanency of the status-quo.

During the early republican period of Turkey it is acquainted the first friendship treaty which

Ataturk made with Albaniain 1923. Two years after followed the other friendship treaty with

Yugoslavia.During the 1929-1930 the treaty signed between Turkey and Greece and Turkey and

Bulgaria was with the goal of population exhchange.

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When in 1929 The Great Depression freezed the global economic around the world, United

States were to struggle for the survival of this misfortune.Turkey during this time as an

influential and most stable country of the region attempted to manage the leading role despite the

other Balkan states were inoperative relating the issue.

Turkey intended to include into her cooperation many Balkan states instead of having developed

relations with its allied Italy.It is important to be mentioned the Treaty between Turkey and

Greece of guaranteed boundaries inviolability.Following this trajectory,Turkey did not stop

consolidating its impact in Balkanes by interfering and coalitioning in many conferences.Yet,in

November 1933,there was a Treaty of Friendship,non-aggression and reconciliation signed with

Romania and Yugoslavia.

From the other aspect Italy was seeking after its interests working towards rapprochement among

Balkan countries not allied to French-sponsored Little Entente,namely;Bulgaria,Greece and

Turkey.France was making some alliances with Serbia those time, therefore it would be crucial

even for Italy to be allied with Greece and Turkey wich would facilitate its penetration towards

Mediterranean aiming the colonization of Abysinia and Libia.

However, during 1930s new developments took place in the Balkan states. Turkish-Italian

relations turn-round complicated. e.g. Italy’s ambasador in Turkey Vincenzo Lojacono worried

abouts Turkish presence and Turkish alliances with Yugoslavia and Greece might ruin the

effectivenes of the Italians in the Balkans.Ataturk warned Inonu that Italy could undermine

Turkish influence in the Balkans.Ankara’s vision was to incorporate Bulgaria towards Entente

Balkan Block in order to decrease its ties with Italy.Balkan countries welcomed the Turkish

diplomatic initiatives during 1930s since Turkey had not more greedines of pan-Ottomanism.

For Turkey to operate in the Mediterranean was not as easy as in the Balkans since it had to be

confronted with bigger powers which mostly have already occupied and colonzied many of

Mediterranean North African parts.For instance, France have invaded almost all parts of

Morrocco , Algeria, Tunisia and some lands of Egypt.On the other hand Britain also did the

same.

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Italian fortification in Leros Island feared Turkey as this might be a serious threat.Even though,

Rome excussed herself to Turkey as the engagements in th island were merely protection against

France.But, Turkey seemed it as real risk in Turkish water territories.

Further, in 1930 Turkey welcomed from France to be envolved in to the Mediterranean Pact.This

might be considered as a bonus since the considerable geo-strategic position of Turkey could

play important role as a corridor open gate between three continents.In 1934, Little Entente

countries meeting organized by France between;France ,Yugoslavia,Greece , Turkey and

Bulgaria, frightened Italy to take the immediate counter-reaction.Thus, Italy convinced Greece

ambasador in Rome and minister of foreign affairs of Turkey for tripartite pact between Italy-

Greece-Turkey to control over Mediterranean. This was an obvious counterwork against France

and Britain. But, Greece ambasador replied to Rome that no agreement will be approved unless

Yugoslavia and Romania is included in this pact. Fulvio Suvich, Italian under-secretary of

foreign affairs asked that if Yugoslavia and Rome were to be included why Albaina and Bulgaria

should not be?

Whatsoever, Turkey attempted to stimulate Britain’s government to be a member of this pact in

order conflicts and aggressions be excluded . Minister of foreign affairs in Turkey Aras was

suscpicious that Mussolini’s goal of Balkan Entente Treaty was the eastern straits to be open for

him in order to gain the sources of supply.Rome had lobbied for tripartite alliance between Italy-

Turkey and Greece in order to split the Balkan Entente.Yet it was unwilled that Yugoslavia to be

included in Mediterranean pact since it was allied to France.

Turkey promised to Yugoslavia unlimited assistance if any possible attack from Italy might e

occured.Italy has already conquered Abysinia and allied countries have lost any more confidence

to it.

In November 1935, Turkey visited Yugoslavia and Romania and tripartite Military Conference

was held in Belgrade.After invasion of Italy in Abysinia Turkey had no more reliance in League

of Nations, thus attempted calling Britain in many conferences in order to defend the Straits and

its territory.Finally, in June and July 1936, Britain was willing to make a Montreux Treaty with

Turkey about Straits to be transfered under Turkish control.Britain thought that relations with

Turkey would be favoured in order Turkey to prevent collaborating with Russia.

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After Montreux Treaty, Italy was first to reject it.Since it saw unfavorable about the Straits

opening under the surveillance of Turkey.Beyond, Turkey saw the relations with France to be

suitable because France could prevent any kind of threat that might affect Turkey of being a

regional power.However, Britain liked France to be more linked with Italy in order to withhold

making alliance with Hitler’s Germany.

Nevertheless, Turkey used its tactics skillfuly as the only one member of the Entente which kept

neutral position during the course of the Second World War.

Cold War period and Russian aspirations of taking control over Balkans and Straits, menaced

Turkey which pushed to be allied to Western Block Alliance.After joining NATO in 1952,

Turkey’s policy towards Balkans closely tied alongside with Western powers.In 1948,

Yugoslavia disagreed with Soviet Bloc which pursuaded its own form of socialism and being

neutral from Soviet Block influence.This course would open the new gates of several agreements

with Yugoslavia and other countries of Peninsula. In 1953, military alliance was created between

these three countries;Turkey-Greece and Yugoslavia.Three members obliged to consider any

army aggression against one of them as an aggression against all.However, treaty lost its

significance after Yugoslavia made rapprochement with Soviet Union in 1955. Less impressive

was this treaty after Cyprus conflict erupted in the same year.

Dissolution of Yugoslavia during 1990s will instigate Turkey taking more extended attitudes

towards the Balkans. When in 1991 Slovenia and Croatia declared independence from

Yugoslavia,Turkey recognized them only after United States and United Nations recognized.

Presumably, Turkey was reluctant direct Yugoslav disputes because it would stimulate Turkey

taking more dexterous verdicts related newly emerging countries in Western Balkans.

Turkey showed to take more active role after disruption of Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina

broke out.Significant number of Bosnian muslims flew to Turkey after prosecution and genocide

took place. Altogether, great number of Turkey Balkan origine citizens created preassure on

government to support muslim brothers in Bosnia. Even though, Turkey endeavored a lot making

calls for different international conferences and diplomatic engagements on behalf of Bosnian

muslims, Turkey was more cautious during the Kosovo conflict. Perhaps, Turkish minority

presence there is higher than in Bosnia.

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In 1992 Turkey used te be among the first countries recognizing Macedonian independence from

former Yugoslavia.Certainly Greece objected this action taken by Turkey, but maybe Turkey and

Macedonia have found the same hostile since Macedonia had some disputes with Greece

regarding the name and flag. On the other hand Turkey is already known for its age-longe

conflicts with Greece relevant to the borders and Cyprus.

AKP’s Political Doctrine towards Balkans during 2002-2013

In May 2009, Davutoglu Became Minister of Foreign Affairs in the AKP government.His

Theory is reminiscent to that of previous Ozal’s concept of ‘’Neo-Ottomanism’’. Ozal used its

soft-power ofTurkish economic Foreign Policy leading towards new Turkic former Soviet

republics.Yet,he was also active in responding to help the Balkan muslim communities after the

collapse of former Yugoslavia.For instance, in February 1993, President Turgut Ozal undertook

a tour of the Balkans where such an action raised a fear among the Defence Minister of

Greece.The last one claimed that ‘’this is provocation of pan-Ottomanism ‘’, so Greece together

with Serbia accused Turkey as attempting establishing neo-Ottomanism policy. Davutoglu as

well continued this active foreign policy towards Balkans.

Davutoglu presented new geographic imagination based on the geopolitical position.In his book

Strategic Depth ; he emphasizes that the dissolution of the Soviet Union brought already

multipolar polarizations and bipolar ones are not present any more.Yet, he states that Turkey

remains one of the most important corridor which ties Middle East, Caucasus and Balkans.What

Davutoglu aims today is the same procedure which Ozal operated during 1980s-1990s.

Davutoglu tends to formulate its ‘’zero problem policy’’ with neighboors since Turkey is

surrounded by countries with diverse political and cultural views. Yet, Turkey possesses vast

number of its minorities throughout the Balkan and Caucasus as well.This makes Turkey being

involved in almost every discourse relevant to these two regions.

Ottoman heritage in the Balkans is often used as an achievement which Davutoglu uses his

doctrine.He asserts that Turkish aims are not merely creating multidimensional and multidirect

connection with neighboor countries. The sole image of Turkey is to establish the stability in the

region an ease any kind of aggressive and violent action which would outrage the peace in the

country and beyond.

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Furthermore, Davutoglu is conducting his foregin policy issues based upon three methodological

adn five operational principles; Regarding methodological principles, first one is basement in

vision-based approach rather than crisis-oriented as it was during the Cold-War period. He cites

that we might have good relation with our neighboors if we express to them convincing vision

of peaceful and multi-dimensional diplomacy. Second principle is approaching more closely to

the Caucasus, Balkans and the Middle Eastern regional issues. The third one is based on the soft-

power policy by integrating Turkey’s civil and economic power. If this is achieved , democratic

and cultural ties will approach closer.

With respect to the operative principles of Turkey’s Foreign Policy, the prior criteria is

sustaining domestic security to all citizens and providing human rights and democracy. Second

one is a ‘’zero-problem policy with its neighboors’’. Yet, Davutoglu emphasizes that Turkey

should get rid of traditional psychology as it is surrounded by hostile neighboors.But instead,

neighborhood should be perceived as an opportunity and not as a threat. Following the third

principle, Davutoglu claims that Turkey should be more active and pre-emptive with regards to

the emerging crisis before it is too late. Turkey should proceed with its rythm of being engaged

in mediating disputed rivals and establishing political dialogues. So, involvement of Turkey as

an mediator between Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina , Lebanon and Palestine , Sunni and

Shia clashes and so on are on behalf of Turkish interests in the future.The fourth principlestates

that Turkey should prolong its foreign policy of a multi-dimensional lines with EU, NATO and

good neighborhood policy with Russia. And the fifth and last principle implies major

involvements in international and multilateral cooperation of Turkey.Looking from the context

of international meetings , Turkey has been an active actor of hosting several diplomatic and

multi-dimensional conferences since 2003.

Davutoglu from some ascpects tends somehow to proceed the traditional Kemalist foreign policy

in terms of being non-aggressive and non-hostile with neighboor countries.’’Zero-problem

policy with neighboors’’ and status quo maintenance would led Turkey objecting its main goal of

being less hostile with surrounding neighboors and elswhere .

When talking in terms of geopolitics of the Balkans, Davutoglu claims that it is divided into two

halves; Drava and Sava rivers whic divides Bosniaks, Croatian and Serbian geopolitical and

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geocultural area. And, Vardar-Morava rivers whcih splits Albanian, Macedonian and Sebian

geopolitical and geocultural area.

He assumes that the main reason which outbreak the crisis in Bosnia and Herzegovina and

Kosovo, is the competing interests of the US and EU on global level and the rival competition of

Eastern Europe controled by the Britain and France on the one hand , and Germany and Russia

on the other.Yet, he states that the US intervention in Kosovo was not just stopping the ethnic

cleansing and prevent humanitarian crisis, but to overpass NATO’s influence in the region and to

make its own influence creating also new balance of power in the central and eastern Europe.

Davutoglu believes that the countries with flexible foregin policies have better occasions and

now more skillfuly to manoeuvre in political arena.

As mentioned before, the Ottoman legacy is very important issue in the Balkans and an

instrument which Ozal persuaded its foreign policy . Even though, Ozal expanded its politics for

economic purposes. AKP foreign policy despite uses soft power influence in the region it has

also geopolitical dimensions in which final goal is being a Balkan Entente leader.

Also , among main instruments of Turkey’s foreign policy in the Balkans might be the Bosniaks

and Albanians. Since these two ethnic goups are the main preservative of valuable Ottoman

heritage in Peninsula. As said, Bosnianks and Albaninas are the key factor whcih Ottoman

heritage lays on in the Balkans. Therofore , for Turkey it is significant issue to protect these two

communities in order old Turkish heritage not to be extinguished. Yet , the vain of this legacy

stands in the heart of Kosovo , Bosnia, Albania and Macedonia. This legacy is the representation

of Turkish geopolitical and geocultural guardian which would interconnect Turkey with Eastern

Europe and Central Europe as well.

Turkey needs to have firm relations with Balkan countries. And any jeopardize of the relations

whith Balkans would bring serious damages in Turkish Foreign policy .But priority for Turkey is

to maintain strong relations with muslim community in the region.Because any fragmentation

and polarization between muslims in the Balkans means also liquidation of old Turkish legacy in

the region.

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On October 16, 2009, Davutoglu made a speech in Sarajevo stating that;’’Objective of Turkish

foreign policy is was to put the Balkans, the Middle East and the Caucasus along with Turkey at

the center of the world politics in the future’’.As mentioned Turkey is eager to strengthen its

position in the Balkans , so that could improve its status in the global scene. Of course regional

nationalists are against Turkey of being the chairmanship which would drive its politics towards

the Balkans. So , the frequent citations refering to Turkey are , ‘’ ...Turkish involvement into the

Balkans backs to historical religious and pan-Ottomanism rrots’’.

Turkey’s interests in peninsula has been constant throughout the history of the Republic since it

is the bridge between the west and east.

There are five main reasons which might be emphasized regarding the Turkish engagement in to

the Balkans; First one is longstanding coomon history between Turkey and the Balkans. Second

one is the human factor ( more than one million Turks live in the Balkan states ). Third one is

Geographic position(having peace in the Balkans it is the top priorities of Turkish Foreign Policy

issues ). Erdogan stated that ‘’ Histroy has showed that it is not possible to establish and maintain

global peace without peace and stability in the Balkans and the Middle East. And since Turkey is

in the center of this area , it cannot remain indifferent to the developments there ‘’ 1. Improving

economic presence in the region is the fourth following reason which effects Turkish

envolvement in the Balkans. And the last one is ; allying with Balkan countries brings Turkey

closer and EU bid in the future.

Turkey’s foreign Trade with the Balkan countries was 2.9 billion USD in 2000 and rose to 17.7

billion USD in 2008 . It is calculated that Turkey exported its productions towards the Balkans

with an amount of 6.7 % and imported in total of 3.4 % . Cummulative value of Turkish

foreign direct investments in 2009 was around 4.6 billion USD. Total value of Turkish

construction projects during 1994-2009 was around 8.8 billion USD.

1 Recep Tayyip Erdogan , ‘’Nema Svetskog Mira Bez Stabilnog Balkans’’, Danas Decembar 23, 2010.

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2

3

2 Zarko Petrovic and Dusan Reljic. ‘’Turkish Interests and Involvement in the Western Balkans: A Score-Card’’. Insight Turkey Vol. 13 / No. 3 / 2011 pp. 159-172I.nsighInsight Turkey Vol. 13 / No. 3 / 2011pp. 159-172t Turkey Vol. 13 / No. 3 / 2011pp. 159-17Insight Turkey Vol. 13 / No. 3 / 2011pp. 159-1722Insight Turkey Vol. 13 / No. 3 / 2011pp. 159-1723 Ibid..,

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4

Since 1990s whenever US took an active part in the Balkans Turkey also was following it and

incresing its influence in the region. After September 11 terrorist attacks ,US states left Turkey to

make its own way in the region. As stated, since Davutoglu became the Minister of Foreign

Affairs in Turkey, Turkish-Balkan meetings intensified.

Regarding the Davutoglu’s policy towards the Bosnia and Hercegovina , they are measured

between three main levels; 1) local level ,by reinforcing dialogue between the country’s main

ethnic goups , 2) regional problem , bringing Serbia,Bosnia and Herzegovina and Coratia

together in order to resolve the existing problem. Thus , as a consequence of this issue ,

Davutoglu initiated trilateral meetings with his collegues in order the dispute to be solved. 3)

Turkey to lobby for Bosnia and Herzegovina at international platforms . The main aim is

preserving territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina and its multiethnic character while

accelerating the its EU integration .

President Abdullah Gul during his visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina on September 2010 asserted

that ‘’ Turkey wants to see Bosnia and Herzegovina as well as other Western Balkan countries

become member states of the NATO and the EU’’.

4 Ibid..,

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In October 2009 during his visit in Sarajevo, Davutoglu refered due his speech ‘’ For Ankara

territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina is as important as the territorial integrity of

Turkey , and that the prosperity and security of Sarajevo is as vital as the security and prosperity

of Istanbul.’’5

Due to the relations between Turkey and Serbia, they started getting thawed after the war

conflicts ended between muslim communities and Serbia. So, in 2007 and 2010 Serbian

President Boris Tadic visited Turkey.

Although Turkey conducted a cautious and tentative policy with Belgrade , the conflicts in

Bosnia and Herzegovina between 1992-1995 and in Kosovo 1999 have negatively affected

Ankara-Belgrade relations.

On 17 February 2008, when Kosovo declared its independence, Turkey-Serbia relations soured

again as Turkey became one of the first countries to recognize Kosovo’s independence . But , in

2009 we see again that Ankara- Belgrade steps on improving bilateral ties. Mirko Cvetkovic

during his visit to Turkey in March 2011, stated ‘’ Good relations between Serbia and Tureky

constitute a critical contribution to stability in the Balkans. Currently, Turkey and Serbia are

working on improving these economic ties , as reflected in the growing interest of Turkish

businessmens in Serbia’’6.

However,Kosovo remains as a major thorn between Ankara and Belgrade. Erdogan and

Davutoglu proposed to mediate a new dialogue between Serbia and Kosovo , so far this offer

was not approved positively from Serbian officials.

Former Serbian Minister of Foreign Affairs Vuk Jeremic in November 2009 during an adress to

the EU Parliament asserted ‘’ that they had been under the reign of Turks for 500 years , and

that they did not want to be in the same waiting room with them for the EU membership ‘7’

5 Ahmet Davutoglu , Ottoman Legacy and Balkan Muslim Community Today.6 http://www.novosti.rs/%D0%B2%D0%B5%D1%81%D1%82%D0%B8/%D0%BD%D0%B0%D1%81%D0%BB%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%BD%D0%B0/%D0%BF%D0%BE%D0%BB%D0%B8%D1%82%D0%B8%D0%BA%D0%B0.393.html:322313-Cvetkovic-sa-predsednikom-turskog-parlamenta7 ‘’Skandalozno : Srbija Lobica Protiv Ukidanja Vizu BiH!’’ Dnevni Avaz , Novembar 7, 2009.

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In an interview published in a German newspaper on May 30, 2010 Jeremic warned that’’ If

Serbia did not become a new member to the EU ,his country would come under the Turkish

sphere of influence , like it was the case during the Ottoman times’’. 8

Serbian authors and politicians ; Petrovic and Reljic comments that Davutoglu commited

political misstep when he said, ‘’ If there was no Ottoman state, Sokullu Mehmed Pasha –

Ottoman Grand Vezir who was taken from one Serbian family – would be a poor Serbian man

who lived just to have a small farm ‘’ They said Davutoglu must be aware that such assertions

are not winning the hearts of non-muslims in the Balkans .9

On 24 April 2010 Balkan Summit was held in Istanbul between Turkey, Serbia and Bosnia and

Herzegovina. Summit proposed efforts in security peace and stability in the region and territorial

integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina to be respected. There is a strong belief in Turkey that

Ankara has urged the Serbian Parliament’s adoption of a decision regarding the Srebrenica

genocide.So , in April 2010 the Serbian Parliament takes the decision of condemning the killing

of eight thousand Bosniaks in Srebrenica in July 1995 and apologizes for it .

The main obstacle of Turkey becoming influential player in the Western Balkans are regional

prejudices and fears.Also, the Western countries lack of support and cooperation for Turkey’s

quest for a more dynamic role.

Turkish influence in the Western Balkans may remain limited for now, but the famous Turkish

TV channels and serial broadcastings in the region influenced the perception of the people for

better relations with Turkey.

Although , the government and mostly of the people have a different take on their shared history

contrary to the Turkish Balkans relations through a positive lens.

Two explanations regarding the Balkan countries prejudices held against Ottomans;

1) 19th century Balkans were exposed to the Western and Russian influence language,

culture and religion. This brings out the distortion of the precise Ottoman history.

8 ‘’ Jeremic ; Kosovo je Srpski Jerusalim , ‘’ Tonjug , May 30 , 2010. 9 Zarko Petrovic and Dusan Reljic ‘’ Turkey’s new Approach to the Western Balkans ‘’ , International and Security Affairs Centre ...

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2) Balkan historians have lack of informations regarding the whole Ottoman legacy in the

region , therefore , their interpretations and memories are from more recent history of the

19th century and the first quarter of the 20th century.

Despite historical disagreements many Balkan people especially the muslims percieve Turks as a

friendly nation.

According to the Gallup Balkan Monitor Survey in 2010 ; 75.1 % of Albanian , 60.2% of Bosnia

and Herzegovina , 93.2% of Kosovo and 76.6 % of Macedonia consider Turkey as a friendly

nation. But the non-muslim countries have not the same expectations. E.g. Croatia only 26.7 %

consider Turish nation as friendly , Montenegro 33.5 % and Serbia only 18. 2 % consider Turks

as a friendly nation.

The main reason for the rise of ‘’friend of Turkey’’ among Albanians , both in Albania and

Kosovo , is Turkey’s support for Kosovo’s independence.

Serbian Orientalist Darko Tanaskovic who used to be the Yugoslav ambassador in Ankara

during 1995-1999 , is very critical towards Turkey’s Balkan Policy. ‘’Involvement of Turkey not

only in Bosnia and Herzegovina but also throughout the Balkans is an integral part of a long term

based policy on neo-Ottomanism ideology. Turkey’s motivation is to prove that it is ‘’ the boss ‘’

in the Balkans and to show tha Ankara is able to solve the problems that others cannot ‘’ . 10

Bosnian Serbs argue that Turkey has the intention of creating the so-called ‘’neo-Ottoman

Balkan’’. They do not like Turkey interfeering into inner political issue of Bosnia and

Herzegovina.

Radmanovic, Serbian member of Bosnia and Herzegovina presidency cancelled the meeting with

Davutoglu on January 29, 2011 , since Turkish delegation demanded the removal of the flag of

Republic of Serpska from the meeting hall. Some politicians, journalists , and authors criticized

this severe attitude of Turksih part.

EU is reluctant towards Turkey to be involved in to the Balkans. At the same time , Balkan

countries see prior into EU involvement but they also criticize that EU should not hinder

relations with Tureky, especially after Greece crisis happened.

10 ‘’Turska Neprihvatljiv Posrednik , ‘’ RTV BN , November 5, 2010.

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According to Javier Solana, former EU High Representative for Common Foreign and Security

Policy (1999-2009) , the need for cooperation between EU and Turkey regarding Bosnia and

Herzegovina issue is very important.11 Further , he states that the Turkish presence in the Region

is obviously important since Turkey has the capacity of solving problems and knows the essence

from where the resolution should come up.

At a conference organized by International Security Affairs Centre on April 8, 2011 , in

Belgrade , was mentioned that Turkey’s involvement with respect to the Balkans elaboration is

considerable. Turkish diplomats as well , asserted that Turkey aims ‘’win-win’’ solutions for

everyone.

On April 24, 2010 , the Turkish and Serbian presidents and then Bosnian Presidency Chairman

Haris Silajdzic signed the ‘’Istanbul Declaration’’ , reaffirming the territorial integrity of Bosnia

and Herzegovina.In addition to that, on April 26, 2011, , so one year after, Serbian President

Boris Tadic hosted Turkish President Abdullah Gul and three other members of Bosnia and

Herzegovina Presidency. Bosnia and Herzegovina has always had favourite stands towards

Turkish Foreign Policy. Turkey was the biggest supporter of the NATO intervention in Bosnia

and Herzegovina during 1990s. In 2010, Turkey was the sixth largest contributor for the

EUFOR-Althea mission in Bosnia. Moreover, Turkey supports Bosnia’s and Herzegovina NATO

membership. Also, represents to the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) .

Conclusion

Turkey has always had homelike affinity towards the Balkans. Since the foundation of the

Republic of Turkey we see the immediate cooperations between Turkey and the Balkan

countries. There are several treaties and agreements made among these two important regional

parts which brought up reciprocal achievements from political and socio-economic bacground.

The flee of the Balkan muslim people from the slavic prosecution towards the Turkey would tie

closser the bilateral relations between Turkey and Balkans, notably in the muslim community

11 http://www.danas.rs/danasrs/svet/globus/u_bosni_neophodna_saradnja_eu_i_turske.12.html?news_id=217298

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living areas. For Turkey Balkan territory has been the main corridor of paving its horizon

toward the EU. Turkish Balkans soft-power relations initiates first during the Ozal leadership

when he made it possible economic liberalization in the country. The same foreign policy was

proceeded by Davutoglu when he came into the power with AKP party. Notwithstanding ,

Davutoglu different from the Ozal’s policy was inclined also in geopolitical and geostrategic

dimensions of Turkish Foreign Policy towards the Balkan region .

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Sylvie Gangloff – The impact of Ottoman legacy on Turkish policy in the Balkans (1991-1999) – November 2005 http://www.ceri-sciences-po.org.

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