Turkey displayed its regional ties during the recent conflict in Gaza as Prime Minister Erdogan visited leaders from Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Syria and the Palestinian Authority and Turkish officials participated in ceasefire talks in Egypt. Turkey’s relations to the region extend beyond this crisis and include:
Turkey-Afghanistan
Turkey has 1,200 troops in Afghanistan as part of NATO’s mission. Since April 2007, Turkey has brought together the presidents of Afghanistan and Pakistan for a series of meetings. At the latest meeting in early December 2008 Afghan and Pakistan leaders agreed to create a common strategy to fight terrorists operating in the border area.
Turkey-Armenia
Relations between Turkey and Armenia remain distant as the countries debate whether Ottoman Turks committed acts of genocide against Armenians. Turkey has kept its border with land-locked Armenia closed since the 1993 war between Armenia and Azerbaijan, a Turkish ally. In September 2008 Turkish President Abdullah Gul became the first Turkish leader to visit Armenia since 1991 when he attended a soccer match between the states’ teams. Armenia’s president is expected to attend a return match.
Turkey-Gulf States
From January-November 2008, foreign direct investment in Turkey from Gulf states totaled $1.7 billion. In October 2008, a Gulf investment fund signed a $6 billion agreement, focusing on agriculture investment in Turkey. Turkey also sent a representative to a recent Gaza-related gathering of Arab and Muslim countries in Qatar.
Turkey-Iran
The countries share concern regarding their Kurdish minority populations. In February 2006, they signed an agreement whereby Iran would fight the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) and affiliated groups and Turkey would fight the People’s Mujahadeen, a banned Iranian opposition group based in Iraq. Iran is the second-largest supplier of natural gas to Turkey and the countries share a gas pipeline. During the war in Gaza senior Iranian officials traveled to Turkey to participate in an emergency meeting of the Organization of the Islamic Conference.
Turkey-Iraq
Turkey opposes the establishment of an autonomous Kurdish state in northern Iraq. Dialogue between the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and Turkey began in March 2008. In October, Turkey’s special envoy to Iraq met publicly with KRG President Massoud Barzani. Turkey and the KRG have developed a co-dependent relationship in which Turkey relies on the KRG to fight the PKK and the KRG depends on Turkey economically. The PKK launches attacks on Turkey from its bases in northern Iraq and Turkish forces routinely bomb these areas in response. Iraq, Turkey and the United States have begun to coordinate efforts to fight the PKK.
Turkey-Israel
Turkey is Israel’s closest ally in the Muslim world. In addition to their security and economic ties, Turkey has served as a mediator between Israel and others in the region. Erdogan, however, repeatedly denounced Israel’s actions during the Gaza conflict, criticized it for not warning Turkey of the planned hostilities and skipped Israel during a regional tour. Turkey has also suspended its indirect mediation efforts between Israel and Syria. Turkey does not plan to cut ties with Israel. Turkey recently presented a proposal to bring together all countries involved in the Gaza conflict and said it will contribute to a peacekeeping force to monitor Gaza’s border crossings.
Turkey-Lebanon
In September 2006, Turkey was the first Muslim country to pledge troops for the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). The Turkish forces largely focused on aiding UNIFIL’s naval exercises, which support the Lebanese navy in patrolling the coast and curbing arms smuggling. Turkish forces have also helped train the Lebanese army.
Turkey-Palestinians
In 1988, Turkey extended diplomatic recognition of the Palestinian state declared by the PLO, making it the first country with diplomatic ties with Israel to do so. In 2006, the Justice and Development Party (AKP) hosted Hamas leader Khaled Meshal. Turkey maintains ties with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas as well. During the war in Gaza, Erdogan called on the international community to respect Hamas’ authority.
Turkey-Syria
Historically tense relations improved after Syria banned the PKK in 1998. Since Bashar al-Assad’s accession to power in 2001, their relationship has improved further. Both countries fear the establishment of a Kurdish state in Iraq and its influence on their respective Kurdish minorities.
