FOREIGN POLICY OF THE REPUBLIC OF TURKEY IN THE SOUTH CAUCASUS REGION

Abstract

The article assesses and analyzes the foreign policy of the Republic of Turkey in the South Caucasus region in the post- Soviet period. Particular emphasis is placed on the study of Turkey’s relations with such states as Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia. In Turkey’s foreign policy, the South Caucasus occupies one of the priority places. The importance of a comprehensive study of this key region is becoming increasingly clear. What is happening in the South Caucasus does not only have regional significance, but also has global significance, including those related to such issues as geopolitics, economics and security. The South Caucasus region historically plays an important role for Turkey. This region has been a place of geopolitical struggle of various strong powers for many centuries. The collapse of the USSR led to the emergence of a geopolitical vacuum in the Caucasus. A completely new regional political system emerged that provided new opportunities and new threats, both regional and global. These changes were taken advantage of by the Republic of Turkey, which for many centuries claimed influence in this region. The emergence of new republics in the South Caucasus region enabled Turkey not only to create a buffer zone with the Russian Federation, but also to create a new zone of interstate and interethnic conflicts. Ankara immediately realized that it needed to quickly fill the power vacuum in the region, take advantage of economic opportunities, and create a system in which Turkey could influence the political life of the South Caucasus region. Of all the republics of the South Caucasus, Turkey is most actively developing relations with Azerbaijan. The relationship is based on ethnic and linguistic affinity, but also on economic and military cooperation. In 2020, Turkey helped Azerbaijan retake the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh from Armenia. Thus, Turkey also got the opportunity to have more influence in this region. Also, Turkey has increased its economic influence on Georgia, with the help of investments in the region of Adjara and the city of Batumi. The only republic that still remains hostile to Turkey is Armenia. Turkey uses various methods such as economy and military aid to establish its own interests in the region. For Georgia, Turkey uses investments and capital, while for Azerbaijan, Turkey uses military assistance and support in the international arena. The main task of Turkey in the South Caucasus region is to oust the Russian Federation from this region and ensure its own energy security by controlling the oil and gas transportation system that goes from Central Asia and Azerbaijan to the countries of the European Union.