The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on Turkish foreign policy towards the Western Balkans

• Authors: Jan Niemiec

Title variants

RU

Влияние пандемии COVID-19 на внешнюю политику Турции в отношении Западных Балкан

Abstracts

RU

Научная цель этой статьи - проанализировать и оценить действия, предпринятые ведущими политиками Турции в отношении западно-балканских государств (т. е. Албании, Боснии и Герцеговины, Косово, Черногории, Северной Македонии и Сербии) во время пандемии COVID-19. С тех пор как в 2002 году к власти пришла Партия справедливости и развития, Турция пыталась усилить свое международное влияние с помощью дипломатических, экономических и культурных мер. Регион Западных Балкан, с которым турки имеют исторические и этнические связи, является одним из ключевых направлений доктрины ПСР. Принимая теорию имиджа в международных отношениях в качестве теоретической основы, это исследование изучает реализацию внешней политики Турции на Западных Балканах во время пандемии коронавируса SARS-CoV-2. Используя доступные оригинальные турецкие источники (академические публикации, публичные отчеты, пресс-релизы), были определены основные цели политической стратегии Турции в отношении региона. Детальный анализ официальных заявлений и выступлений турецких политиков также имел основополагающее значение для данного исследования. В этом контексте были определены ценности и символы, на которые ссылается правительство ПСР в своей деятельности на Западных Балканах. Основанное на контент-анализе, сравнительном анализе и анализе политического дискурса, это исследование призвано объяснить причины действий Турции в последние месяцы. В заключение были представлены и обсуждены будущие перспективы участия Турции в делах на Западных Балканах.

EN

The scientific aim of this paper is to analyse and evaluate actions taken by Turkey’s leading politicians with regard to the Western Balkan states (i.e. Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since the Justice and Development Party came to power in 2002, Turkey has attempted to increase its international influence through diplomatic, economic and cultural measures. Western Balkans region, with which Turks have historical and ethnic ties, is one of the key areas in AKP’s doctrine. Adopting image theory in international relations as the theoretical foundation, this research examines implementation of Turkish foreign policy in the Western Balkans in times of SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus pandemic. By employing available original Turkish sources (academic publications, public reports, press releases), the main objectives of Turkey’s political strategy towards the region have been determined. Detailed analysis of official statements and speeches of Turkish policy-makers was also fundamental for this study. In this context, the values and symbols to which the AKP government refers in its activities in the Western Balkans have been identified. Based on content analysis, comparative analysis and political discourse analysis, this research seeks to explain the rationale of Turkish actions in recent months. As a conclusion, future prospects for Turkey’s involvement in the Western Balkans have been presented and discussed.

Keywords

EN

Republic of Turkey; Western Balkans; COVID-19 pandemic; regional; diplomacy; foreign policy

RU

Турецкая Республика; Западные Балканы; пандемия COVID-19; региональная дипломатия; внешняя политика

• Publisher: Wydawnictwo Adam Marszałek
• Journal: Nowa Polityka Wschodnia
• Year: 2022
• Issue: 4(35)
• Pages: 201-228

Dates

published

2022

Contributors

author

Jan Niemiec

• Jagiellonian University in Kraków

• https://orcid.org/000000028593451X

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Identifiers

DOI

10.15804/npw20223510

Biblioteka Nauki

2176716