Abstract:

This article examines Turkey's foreign policy towards the Western Balkans, which has changed and gained momentum since 2002. Adopting the 'expert interview' technique, the research aims at identifying the strengths and weaknesses of Turkey, and opportunities and threats facing in the region. A SWOT Analysis - Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats - was done for structured interviews, conducted with 15 academicians/researchers who are specialised on 'Turkish foreign policy and the Western Balkans'. Turkey's historical and sociological ties with the region, soft power and public diplomacy, foreign policy activism including economic and commercial agenda comes into the picture as Turkey’s strengths; while negative perception in the region, political and economic instability, international competition and problems with the West, and finally bureaucratic complications appear as Turkey’s weaknesses. Economic-commercial potentials, identity-based opportunities, the capacities and activities of alternative powers, and Turkey's Euro-Atlantic network are leading opportunities in the region; while alternative powers and rising competition, problems arising from foreign policy of the current government and the uncertainties created by the region's internal dynamics are listed as the threats. In order for Turkey to pursue a sustainable foreign policy in the region, it is recommended to strengthen its institutionalization capacity and initiatives, and more notably, to adopt a new ‘inclusive approach’ for the region.

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