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For some, DW says, commenting on Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s visit, he was a “friend who keeps his promise,” for others a “sultan” with a hidden agenda in the Balkans.
Turkish expert on the region Birgül Demirtaş explains that since the end of the Cold War, Turkey has pursued a multidimensional foreign policy towards the Balkans.
It is an important actor in the region that uses not only classical diplomacy, but also economic diplomacy, cultural diplomacy, health diplomacy, seismic and – more recently – urban diplomacy. The Balkans, according to Demirtas, are perceived by decision-makers in Ankara as a transnational extension of what we call the ‘homeland’, a notion filled with emotional memories.
It is estimated that more Albanians live in Turkey than in Albania. Most emigrated to Turkey after the establishment of the Turkish Republic in 1923. When Albania was hit by the earthquake of November 26, 2019, Turkey was among the first countries to send emergency aid and ambulance workers, she recalls, adding that the last visit of the Turkish president testified that the FETÖ issue is still an important issue between Ankara and Tirana.
On the other hand, Turkey has recently increased its drone exports to neighboring partner countries. This is an important indication that the Justice and Development Party government is trying to consolidate Turkey’s role as a regional actor, even by means of hard power.
Ankara has so far focused on the tools of soft power in its interactions with the Balkans. Turkey’s focus on drone exports is something that deserves attention, given the recent escalating tensions in the region.
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