Changes in Turkish Foreign Policy under AKP Government? (English)

Wandel in der türkischen Außenpolitik unter der AKP-Regierung? (German)

The Turkish foreign policy under AKP government is guided by the concept of "strategic depth" developed by Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu. Its aim is to turn Turkey into a leading regional power via an active and multidimensional foreign policy. In spite of controversial discussions at home and abroad this foreign policy actually doesn't represent innovation or substantial reorientation. It lives up Turkey's external activism after 1990 under the Özal era and refines it. The activism regarding foreign policy in a regional environment is complementary to the traditional alliances with the USA and NATO. It doesn't question the full membership in the European Union in principle, even if the aim of accession to the EU has obtained a minor political priority and is now one aim among many others. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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