Could Turkey Be a Dominant Regional Power: The Rise of Turkey as a Country of Middle-East and Europe

Yıl 2012, Cilt: 11 Sayı: 1, 18 - 50, 01.02.2012

Bülend Aydın Ertekin

Öz

According to the common idea, 'the economic power determines the political power." By this general principle, when we look at the powerful states, we see that these states (countries) have, at the same time, the powerful political effect on the other actors. In this paper, some trade and economic data of Turkey are shown in order to localize its place in the World rankings. By this purpose, this paper argues the fact that Turkey which, being one of the countries belonging G-20, has tried since 1991 to play a big role in its bilateral relations in Caucasia, Central Asia and Middle East (CCAME). However, when the data of international business of Turkey and those of each one of the countries of Central Asia treated in the contents of research are studied, it is seen very clearly that the influence of Turkey in Central Asia is not very dominant or does not create a dominating effect over the economic plan in spite of the existence of the diplomatic effects, visa facilities and the visits based upon the cultural level and mutu-ally testified. Without any doubt, although nobody can deny the existence and the probability of the gradual growth of Turkey's relations inCCAME's countries, Turkey, whose face is turned mainly towards the occident and the large majority of trade made within the European countries,tries to be an influential actor in the determined areas. Naturally, in spite of the cel-ebration of Nawruz with the Turkic World,acting as a Muslim country in Middle East, and ac-cepting the norms of European Union as a European democratic and laicized country in Eu-rope, Turkey presents several identities and makes it a multi-colored actor who can be used in favor of Turkey's interests.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Balance of power, Central Asia, Middle East, Caucasia, Turkey, foreign policy, globalization, power