Principles of Turkish Foreign Policy and Regional Political Structuring

Turkey Policy Brief Series (IPLI – TEPAV) 3rd edition, 2012, 9 p.                    Français

by Ahmet Davutoğlu

This policy brief elaborates the principles of Turkey’s foreign policy as the country responds to the regional political transformation. The brief argues that Turkey sees the regional transformation as a natural process and works to devise suitable policies to cope with the challenges. In this endeavor, the brief further argues, Turkish foreign policy draws on several strengths: holistic understanding of historical trends and a sense of active agency, its progress in establishing a stable and peaceful domestic order, and its reintegration with neighbors. The brief also identifi es several principles of Turkish foreign policy that are applicable in the current political juncture: pursuit of a value-based foreign policy, self-confi dent action, devising policies autonomously, and having a vision-oriented approach to crisis management. Finally, the brief outlines the contours of Turkey’s policy towards the popular uprisings in the Middle East, explaining how it was formulated with careful consideration of democratic demands in the region.

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