European policy of the Republic of Türkiye: stages, priorities, transformations

Oleksandr Aulin,

Ph.D. (Philosophy), Senior Researcher,

The State Institution «Institute of World History of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine», Kyiv, Ukraine

 

DOI: https://doi.org/10.17721/2524-048X.2025.32.1

 

Abstract.

Abstract. The purpose of the article is to study the stages of development, key priorities, and shifts in the European policy of the Republic of Türkiye. It focuses on how domestic and international changes, as well as current geopolitical challenges—especially the full-scale Russian aggression against Ukraine—affect Türkiye’s relations with the European Union. The study also reveals the causal relationships explaining the development of Turkish-European relations.

The methodology is based on historical and political analysis, which allows for a comprehensive exploration of the internal and external factors shaping Türkiye’s policy. The internal determinants under consideration include political stability, the economy, public sentiment, and the role of elites. External factors involve international trends, conflicts, and interaction with states and organizations. Particular attention is given to the course of Türkiye’s accession negotiations with the European Union. The analysis also takes into account the geostrategic conditions influencing Ankara’s policy.

The article’s scientific novelty lies in its focus on the historical roots of Türkiye’s European trajectory, beginning with the Tanzimat period and Kemalist reforms. The research covers Türkiye’s accession to the Council of Europe, NATO, and cooperation with the EEC and the EU. It analyzes the political transformations following the attempted coup in 2016, the impact of the EU–Türkiye migration agreement, and the role of energy projects, particularly TANAP. Special attention is devoted to security challenges that have intensified since the onset of the war in Ukraine.

Conclusions. Türkiye’s current policy toward the EU is aimed at implementing a strategy of “balanced partnership.” This approach combines economic and security cooperation with the pursuit of strategic autonomy. Türkiye actively leverages its geopolitical position and diplomatic resources. Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, Ankara has positioned itself as an active mediator and a powerful regional actor, significantly influencing Ukraine’s foreign policy orientations.

Keywords: Türkiye, European Union, European integration, foreign policy, geopolitics.

 

Submitted 10.08.2025

Download

References:

  1. Aulin, O. (2020). Spetsyfika stratehichnykh komunikatsii Turechchyny na postottomanskomu prostori (1992–2020rr.). Naukovyi visnyk Chernivetskoho universytetu imeni Yuriia Fedkovycha, 1,  78–86. DOI: https: /doi.org/10.31861/hj2020.51.78-86 [In Ukrainian].
  2. Volovych, O. (2011). Mizh Skhodom i Zakhodom: Turechchyna na yevropeisko-aziatskomu rozdorizhzhi. Turechchyna u suchasnomu sviti: poshuk novoi identychnosti : zbirnyk statei ta analitychnykh materialiv (s. 18–22). Natsionalnyi instytut stratehichnykh doslidzhen, Rehionalnyi filial u m. Odesi [In Ukrainian].
  3. Vorotniuk, M. (2007). Yevroatlantychna Polityka Turechchyny: Uroky Dlia Ukrainy. Stratehichni Priorytety, 3 (4), 172–176 [In Ukrainian].
  4. Haber, Ye. Shcho oznachaie prahnennia Turechchyny vstupyty do BRIKS ta chy zmozhe Ankara buty partnerom odnochasno dlia vsikh? Retrieved from: https://www.ipg-journal.io/ua/rubriki/zovnishnja-politika-ta-bezpeka/zovnishnja-politika-all-inclusive-2284/ [In Ukrainian].
  5. Hrytsenko, A. Turechchyna ta Afryka: formuvannia stratehichnoho partnerstva. Retrieved from: https://www.niss.gov.ua/doslidzhennya/mizhnarodni-vidnosyny/turechchyna-ta-afryka-formuvannya-stratehichnoho-partnerstva [In Ukrainian].
  6. Mavrina, O. Transformatsiini protsesy politychnoi systemy Turechchyny na suchasnomu etapi. Retrieved from: http://history.org.ua/LiberUA/978-966-02-6589-9/978-966-02-6589-9.pdf [In Ukrainian].
  7. Mikhotin, O. Osoblyvosti polityky neitralitetu Turechchyny u roky Druhoi svitovoi viiny. Retrieved from: https://dspace.znu.edu.ua/jspui/handle/12345/1869 [In Ukrainian].
  8. Mkhytarian, N.I. Uchast Turetskoi Respubliky v intehratsiinykh protsesakh: instytutsiinyi ta bezpekovyi aspekty. Retrieved from: https://ivinas.gov.ua/images/978-966-02-9895-8.pdf [In Ukrainian].
  9. Alaranta, T. (2023). Outlining EU-Turkey relations: The impacts of the Ukraine war and Turkey’s crucial elections. Retrieved from: https://fiia.fi/en/publication/outlining-eu-turkey-relations  [In English].
  10. Adıgüzel, G. (2025). Avrupa’daki Göç Politikalarının Tarihsel Süreçteki Dönüşümü Çerçevesinde Avrupa Birliği ile Türkiye Arasındaki Geri Kabul Anlaşması’nın Konumu. Retrieved from: https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/pub/susbed/issue/91606/1349248  [In Turkish].
  11. Cengiz, S. (2020). Turkey’s growing focus on Africa causing concern in rival capitals. Retrieved from: https://www.arabnews.com/node/1729641    [In Turkish].
  12. Cicioğlu, F. (2022). Türkiye’nin Avrupa Birliği Politikası. Retrieved from: https://www.setav.org/assets/uploads/2023/05/TDPY2022.pdf [In Turkish].
  13. Efe, H. Avrupa Birliği’nin Ortak Dış ve Güvenlik Politikası Yaratma Çabalari ve Türkiye’ye Etkileri. Retrieved from: https://nek.istanbul.edu.tr/ekos/TEZ/40939.pdf  [In Turkish].
  14. Kakışım, C., & Erdoğan, S. (2017). Türkiye-Avrupa Birliği İlişkileri ve 15 Temmuz Darbe Girişimin Ardından Yaşanan Gelişmeler. Retrieved from:   https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/download/article-file/507074  [In Turkish].
  15. Müzehher, Y. (2023). Atatürk Döneminin Son Kazanımı İskenderun Sancağı – Hatay. Retrieved from: https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/download/article-file/3602806 [In Turkish].
  16. Özdemir, B.Z. (2024). Türkiye’nin Enerji Politikası. Retrieved from: https://www.setav.org/assets/uploads/2025/05/tdpy2024.pdf [In Turkish].
  17. Özkan, A. (2019). Küreselleflme ve Avrupa Birli¤i ile Bütünleflme Sürecinde Türkiye. Retrieved from: https://www.abdullahozkan.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/K%C3 %BCreselle%C5%9Fme-ve-AB-ile-b%C3%BCt%C3%BCnle%C5%9Fme-s%C3% BCrecinde-T %C3%BCrkiye.pdf [In Turkish].
  18. Turan, A. (2025). Türkiye’nin іkinci Karabağ Savaşı’na yönelik politikasını. Retrieved from: https://www.setav.org/assets/uploads/2025/05/tdpy2024.pdf [In Turkish].
  19. Tuttup, B. (2025). Balancing Act: Türkiye, Russia, and Europe in the Black Sea Chessboard. Retrieved from: https://europrospects.eu/balancing-act-turkiye-russia-and-europe-in-the-black-sea-chessboard/ [In English].
  20. Uysal, C. (2001). Türkiye-Avrupa Birliği İlişkilerinin Tarihsel Süreci ve Son Gelişmeler. Retrieved from: https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/pub/auiibfd/issue/54587/744090. [In Turkish].