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Fundamental Aspects of
Turkish Foreign Policy |
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The fundamental tenet and basis of Turkey’s foreign policy is the dictum, “Peace at home, peace abroad,” an objective expressed by Atatürk, the founding father of the Republic. In line with this objective, the aim of the Turkish foreign policy is the development of amicable and compatible relations with all countries and primarily with neighboring nations, international cooperation, peaceful settlement of disputes, and contribution to both regional and international peace, stability and welfare.
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Seeking to enhance its security through collective efforts and to assume its place in the international community of modern nations, Turkey joined the League of Nations in 1932. Turkey was also among the founding members of the United Nations (UN) in the aftermath of the World War II and adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1949. |
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After becoming a founding member of the Council of Europe the same year, Turkey acted in unison with the Western powers in the field of defense and joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in 1952. Actively taking part in the activities of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) since its inception in 1960, Turkey has been a member of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and the World Trade Organization (WTO) as well. Furthermore, Turkey became an associate member of the European Economic Community (EEC) in 1963 by signing the Ankara Agreement which envisaged full membership in the Community. Turkey concluded a Customs Union agreement with the European Union in 1996 in accordance with the Ankara Agreement and its candidacy for full EU membership was acknowledged at the Helsinki Summit of 1999. The EU decided to open accession negotiations with Turkey in its Brussels summit of |
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Press
conference on visit of 6 ships of
Black Sea Naval Cooperation Task Group - ÝSTANBUL |
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| December 17, 2004 and Turkey has become an acceding country with the start of the talks on October 3, 2005. |
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| Viewing regional cooperation as an important instrument for promoting development, welfare and stability, Turkey has also pioneered in establishing such regional cooperation ventures as the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organization (BSECO) in 1992; the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) which was enlarged by the participation of the Central Asian Republics, Azerbaijan and Afghanistan; Black Sea Naval Cooperation Task Group (BLACKSEAFOR) established among Black Sea countries; and the Developing Eight Countries (D-8). Besides, Turkey has been an enthusiastic participant in cooperation schemes covering the Mediterranean such as the Barcelona Process and the Mediterranean Action Plan. |
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Furthermore, Turkey attaches great importance to relations and cooperation with the Islamic countries and plays a
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