Turkey
in the World

The Main Principles of the Turkish Foreign Policy
Defense and External Security

The Main Principles
of the Turkish Foreign Policy

Following the War of Independence, the Republic of Turkey was founded in 1923 on the ashes of the Ottoman Empire. Ever since her establishment Turkey has consistently pursued a foreign policy aimed at international peace based on the principle of "Peace at home and peace in the World", laid down by the Republic's founding father and first President, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk.

In line with the Western ideal she has been pursuing for well over 150 years, Turkey proceeded to establish her political and legal systems on modern, secular European models. In 1932, Turkey joined the League of Nations to enhance her own security through collective efforts and to establish her place as a modern state in the international community. At the same time, Turkey adopted a policy of developing good relations with all countries, and in particular with her neighbors. In line with this policy, Turkey played a prominent role in the establishment of the Balkan Entente of 1934 comprising Turkey, Greece, Romania and Yugoslavia, and the Sadabad Pact of 1937 composed of Turkey, Iran, Iraq and Afghanistan.

At the end of the Second World War, Turkey became a founding member of the United Nations (UN). Turkey accepted the Universal Charter of Human Rights in 1949 and became a member of the Council of Europe in the same year. Turkey acted together with the Western countries in the field of defense as well, and joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in 1952. Turkey has also been actively participating in all the activities of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) since its establisment in 1960. In 1963, Turkey became an Associate Member of the European Economic Community (EEC) with an Association Agreement that aimed at eventual full membership. Thus, Turkey strengthened her integration into Europe and the Western world through her membership in the major international and regional political, economic and defense institutions.