Mehmet Uğur Ekinci
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• Why is the Balkans important for Türkiye?
• What are the key characteristics of Türkiye’s Balkan policy?
• What are the main issue areas in Türkiye’s Balkan policy?
• What can we expect for Türkiye-Balkans relations under different scenarios for the region?
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Why the Balkans is important for Türkiye
As a middle-sized power, Türkiye aims to be actively engaged with its surrounding regions, and among these regions, the Balkans holds a special place. Geographically, Türkiye is not an external actor but an integral part of the Balkans, as its Thrace region belongs to the Balkan Peninsula. Due to its proximity, developments in the politics and security of the Balkans are always a matter of concern for Türkiye. The peace and stability of the Balkans are especially crucial for Türkiye, as the maintenance of stability provides it with opportunities to develop its relations with all countries and societies in the region. In contrast, any instability or conflict in this adjacent region could pose threats to Türkiye’s own security and disrupt its trade with Western Europe.
