Türkiye in the Western Balkans (EUISS’s Türkiye’s Cards in the World -Chapter 1)

Summary:

There is currently significant discussion in international circles regarding Turkey’s renewed engagement with the Western Balkans. However, it should be noted that Turkey has always maintained a central presence in this region, both geographically and culturally, and has never truly been absent. The shared past of Turkey and the Balkans, based on common experiences of history, religion, and culture, serves as the foundation for Turkey’s influence in the area. In the aftermath of the Balkan wars of the 1990s, Ankara actively sought to strengthen its relations with these countries.

As of 2024, Türkiye continues to play a vital role in the Western Balkans. Its strategic geographic location, substantial population, military significance within NATO, and political relevance ensure its continued significance. Türkiye remains a key player for the EU’s strategic interests in the Western Balkans, especially through its support for the region’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations. Despite some shifts in Ankara’s foreign policy influenced by its domestic politics, Türkiye has generally maintained a consistent approach towards strategic, military, and regional affairs. It serves as a balancing force in the Western Balkans, seeking common ground with all countries based on shared culture, religion, history, or mutual economic and security interests. This chapter emphasizes that Türkiye should be seen as an asset rather than a threat in the region.

Türkiye’s position on the Western Balkans underscores its support for the region’s EU orientation. Ankara has consistently endorsed the region’s Euro-Atlantic integration, peace, stability, and cooperation. With Türkiye transitioning to a more pragmatic, interest-based foreign policy, it has toned down its neo-Ottoman rhetoric and refrained from disrupting existing security structures. Moreover, the region’s diverse ethnic and religious composition makes it challenging for Türkiye to impose its governance model.

Economic relations stand as a cornerstone of Türkiye’s diplomatic engagement in the Western Balkans. Türkiye has established a significant economic presence in the region, extending beyond trade to essential sectors like infrastructure, banking, and manufacturing. However, despite Türkiye’s increased investments, the EU continues to wield dominant economic influence. For example, in 2023, the EU accounted for 63.2% of Serbian exports and 56.9% of imports, while Türkiye’s shares stood at only 1.9% and 4.7%, respectively. This stark contrast highlights the EU’s overwhelming economic sway, collectively and through its individual member states, overshadowing any potential competition from Türkiye. Similar trends are observed in other countries within the region.

Türkiye has a strong emphasis on investing in infrastructure development in countries with underdeveloped networks, and the Western Balkans are no exception. Turkish companies play a critical role in enhancing regional connectivity. For instance, the Turkish construction firm Tasyapi is heavily financing the Sarajevo-Belgrade highway, a significant project addressing long standing transportation challenges. Previously, the same company played a crucial role in reconstructing the Novi Pazar-Tutin road in Serbia’s Muslim-dominated Sandžak region. Additionally, the Pristina Adem Jashari International Airport was constructed in 2013 by the Turkish-French consortium Limak-Aéroports de Lyon at a cost of over €140 million. More recently, in 2023, the Bechtel-ENKA joint venture was awarded a contract to build two new motorways in North Macedonia: corridor 8, connecting the Adriatic and the Black Sea, and corridor 10d, part of the Pan-European Transport Corridor 10 network. Furthermore, as of 2024, a €70 million plant is being constructed by Sahterm in North Macedonia to manufacture tubular heating elements for household appliances.

The Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) consistently provides development aid to the Western Balkans. In 2021, Bosnia and Herzegovina (€8.02 million), Kosovo (€4.59 million), and North Macedonia (€4.17 million) were among the top recipients, with Bosnia and Herzegovina ranking among TIKA’s top 10 beneficiaries globally. These development projects span various areas, including support for the State Television MTV4 studio in Skopje, outfitting administrative and police directorate offices in Podgorica, providing speech and language therapy facilities at Angelus Day Care Centre in Domaljevac, and installing 60 industrial sewing machines in a prison in Zenica.

Moreover, Turkish Airlines operates numerous flights to the Western Balkans, with services to cities such as Belgrade, Podgorica, Skopje, Sarajevo, Pristina, and Tivat. Pegasus Airlines, a privately-owned Turkish low-cost carrier, also operates weekly flights to all Western Balkan capitals. In comparison, among European carriers, only Austrian Airlines offers direct flights to all Western Balkan capitals.

In conclusion, Türkiye’s engagement in the Western Balkans is multifaceted, encompassing economic, political, cultural, and security dimensions. Its longstanding ties with the region, together with its strategic positioning, pave the way for constructive collaboration with the Western Balkan countries. As Türkiye continues to navigate evolving regional dynamics and global challenges, its partnerships in the Western Balkans are likely to remain crucial for promoting stability, enhancing connectivity, and fostering economic development in the region.

By: Omar Fili, CIGA Research Associate