The Eastern Partnership region, including the South Caucasus, Ukraine, Moldova and Belarus, is addressed in the foreign policy of both Turkey and the EU. What puts the region into the focus for both EU and Turkey is its rather fragile stability. While there are points of conflict in the foreign policy towards this region, there is a lot of potential for collaboration between EU and Turkey. The two external actors should join efforts to support non-violent settlement of the various existing and emerging territorial but also domestic conflicts. Turkey is a crucial player for the region and in parts seems to have higher leverage than the EU. When looking for collaboration opportunities and partner we should not narrow our understanding of Turkey in the region to the official state foreign policy, but take business and societal actors into account. Potential sectors of collaboration are the secessionist conflicts, migration, and of course energy trade.
Language
English
HSG Classification
contribution to scientific community
HSG Profile Area
SEPS - Global Democratic Governance
Event Title
Mid-term Conference of the H2020 Project EU-Turkey Relations: Game (not) over?