Iran-Turkey Relations in the 2000s: Pragmatic Rapprochement

Abstract

The AK Party government's Middle Eastern approach indicated a change from those of previous governments. Whilst aiming to conduct an active and influential political role in the Middle East, they have attempted to achieve 'zero problems' in their relations with neighbors as well as closer contact. This article examines Turkey's relations with one of the states in the region -Iran. Under modified regional policy, the Turkish government aimed to maintain and expand relations with Iran. Particularly, strategic calculations on security, energy and economy are influential in transformation of the Turkish attitude towards Iran. At the same time, Iran appears willing to improve relations with Turkey for pragmatic reasons. What is evident for both countries is that though they both are tempting to improve mutual relations, they are at the same time searching ways to consolidate their regional role. In this connection, this article argues that there is a pragmatic rapprochement between the two countries.

Domestic threats and foreign policy agenda: a security perspective on Turkey’s Iran policy

“…Other indicators of desecuritization are the changes about Iran in National Security Policy Document of Turkey energy trade and security agreements signed with Iran, the administration's support for its neighbour's nuclear while rejecting Western demands for economic sanctions towards Iran, increasing interactions on trade and tourism. 69 Change in the principles and the methods of Turkey's foreign policy in the AKP period has mostly been associated with then-MFA Davutoglu, who believes that historical and geographical composition of a state remain constant while all other elements of foreign policy should be considered as dynamic and open to change. For Davutoglu, historical and geographical elements are significant while making a rational evaluation of a country's potential and its ability to adapt to new conditions.…”

Η Υψηλή Στρατηγική Της Τουρκίας Και Η Σχέση Της Με Τη Θεωρία Του «Στρατηγικού Βάθους»

“…Έτσι, μέχρι το 2005, η επίτευξη των παραπάνω στόχων έγινε: μέσω της προσέγγισης των ισλαμικών χωρών και των χωρών του Τρίτου Κόσμου, μέσω συμμαχιών με τις περιφερειακές δυνάμεις 1207 , με την υλικοτεχνική και οικονομική υποστήριξη ισλαμικών ριζοσπαστικών κινημάτων 1208 , όπως τη Χεζμπολάχ, Χαμάς κλπ., και την οικονομική ανάπτυξη της ίδιας της χώρας 1209 . Το Ιράν, εκμεταλλευόμενο τις πηγές ισχύος: διπλωματία, ένοπλες δυνάμεις και οικονομία, προσπάθησε να αναδειχθεί σε περιφερειακή δύναμη στην περιοχή με παγκόσμια παρουσία μέσω των ισλαμικών κινημάτων σε όλον τον κόσμο 1210 .…”