Introduction: Celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the Independence of the Turkic-Speaking States Oktay F. TANRISEVER* When the Turkic-speaking states Ankara welcomed these declarations as gained their independence from the a positive move that could contribute Soviet Union, which disintegrated to regional peace and stability as well largely peacefully towards the end as development. Turkey also provided of 1991, few international experts strong diplomatic support and generous realized the significance of the newly technical and economic assistance to independent Turkic-speaking states these Turkic-speaking states. for the international system. Today, The re-entry of the Turkic-speaking it is a widely shared belief that the states into the international system independence of the Turkic-speaking was also a welcome development states has substantially transformed for all countries of the world since it not only the regional makeup of the eliminated the artificial barriers created Caucasus and Central Asia but also the by the Soviet Union and the Cold interactions between the post-Soviet War practices and allowed for further space and its neighbouring regions. international cooperation. Likewise, the development of socio-economic as well The independence declarations of the as cultural relations among the Turkic- Turkic-speaking states in the Caucasus speaking peoples was also expected and Central Asia; namely Azerbaijan, to contribute to the advancement Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, of interactions between the Turkic- and Uzbekistan, were enthusiastically speaking states and other countries recognized first by Turkey in early 1992. globally. In this context, Turkey’s lead Turkey recognized these independence in recognizing the independence declarations without any hesitation. of the Turkic-speaking states was followed by the other members of the * Prof. Dr., Chairperson of Area Studies PhD United Nations in 1992,whenthey also Program and Professor of International Relations at the Middle East Technical realized the importance of welcoming University, Ankara, Turkey. the Turkic-speaking countries into the E-mail: [email protected] international community.

1 PERCEPTIONS, Spring 2017, Volume XXII, Number 1, pp. 1-5. Oktay F. Tanrısever

This special issue of Perceptions: Journal of International Affairs is devoted to th This special issue of Perceptions: marking the 25 anniversary of Turkey’s recognition of the independence Journal of International declarations by the Turkic-speaking Affairs is devoted to marking states. It seems that this anniversary the 25th anniversary of is an appropriate time to assess both Turkey’s recognition of the the performance of the Turkic- independence declarations by speaking states in strengthening their the Turkic-speaking states. independence and the development of bilateral and multilateral relations Although all of the submitted papers among Turkey and the other Turkic- included invaluable insights about the speaking countries. Not surprisingly, topic of this special issue, the following the diplomatic issues and international five articles have been selected for challenges facing the Turkic states inclusion in our special issue upon after 25 years of independence have the positive recommendation of the been widely studied by a wide range of academic referees. The selected articles academics, experts, and diplomats. of this special issue were judged to In response to the call for papers to have a strong potential in contributing this special issue of Perceptions: Journal significantly to our understanding of the Turkic-speaking states as well as to of International Affairs, many authors their relations among themselves. submitted their papers to the journal to be considered for inclusion. Our The diplomatic and economic aspects academic referees blind reviewed all of the partnership between Turkey and of these submissions individually. the Turkic-speaking states is explored in the article entitled “Trade Relations Between Turkey and Kazakhstan on the The independence declarations 25thAnniversary of the Independence of the Turkic-speaking states of Kazakhstan”. The authors of this in the Caucasus and Central article, Nevzat Şimşek, Cengizhan Asia; namely Azerbaijan, Canaltay, and Hayal Ayça Şimşek have Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, been doing research on this region for Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, several years and work at the Eurasian Research Institute, which is based in were enthusiastically recognized Almaty. The close diplomatic relations first by Turkey in early 1992. between Turkey and Kazakhstan have brought many business opportunities

2 Introduction: Celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the Independence of the Turkic-Speaking States for both countries. The authors demonstrates how demanding it is to demonstrate that in less than a quarter achieve so much in such a short period century, the volume of exports between of time. Turkey and Kazakhstan has multiplied by 39 times, while imports increased 110 times. As for investment sector, Azerbaijan’s success story Turkey is the fourth largest investor country in non-energy products. The under very challenging regional article highlights the importance of circumstances demonstrates the close relations between Turkey how demanding it is to achieve and Kazakhstan in increasing the so much in such a short period trade volume between these countries. of time. This win-win model of diplomatic and economic partnership could be considered as a positive example for the other countries too. The following article, which is entitled “A Quarter-Century Pursuit In his article titled “Azerbaijan’s of Independence: Politics of Trade, th Foreign Policy on the 25 Anniversary Energy, and Economic Development of Restored Independence,” the Special in Uzbekistan” is authored by Halil Envoy Amb. Arastu Habibbeyli Burak Sakal, a PhD candidate in the from Azerbaijan’s Presidential International Relations Department Administration,analyses the evolution at Middle East Technical University. of Azerbaijan’s foreign policy over the The author scrutinizes the political last 25 years of its independence. In this economy of independent Uzbekistan article of the special issue, the author from a historical perspective. Halil investigates under what circumstances Burak Sakal explores Uzbekistan’s Azerbaijan became anon-permanent post-Soviet development in three member of the UN Security Council, periods and argues that the Uzbek how it evolved from being a recipient of economic model is an important international aid to becoming a donor part of Uzbek independence,and, country, how the country has become since its independence, helped its a reliable energy partner, and finally, economy survive at least two global how its robust economy has recovered financial criseswithout entering into from the severe economic crisis in any hegemonic relationship with the the aftermath of the Soviet collapse. advanced economies. In this article, Azerbaijan’s success story under very the author presents an optimistic challenging regional circumstances outlook for the future of the Uzbek

3 Oktay F. Tanrısever

economy under the political leadership that as a regional cultural cooperation of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, and organization, TÜRKSOY has been a predicts closer cooperation between very effective common platform and Uzbekistan and its Central Asian has played a key role in the revival and neighbors as well as Turkey. promotion of the national cultures of the Turkic-republics globally.

The special issue concludes with As a regional cultural an analysis of another important cooperation organization, multilateral platform for strengthening TÜRKSOY has been a very closer cooperation and friendly relations among the Turkic-speaking republics, effective common platform the Parliamentary Assembly of Turkic- and has played a key role in the Speaking Countries (TurkPA). Ercan revival and promotion of the Durdular, Senior Advisor to the national cultures of the Turkic- Speaker of TGNA,explores from an republics globally. analytical perspective this attempt at promoting parliamentary diplomacy among the Turkic-speaking states. The importance of close and friendly This article, which is entitled“The relations between the Turkic-speaking Parliamentary Assembly of Turkic- countries is further highlighted in the Speaking Countries (TurkPA): Beyond Parliamentary Diplomacy,” fifth article, written by Fırat Purtaş, discusses the current status and Deputy Head of TÜRKSOY, and activities of TurkPA. It argues that Professor of International Relations at TurkPAconstitutes an effective forum Gazi University in Ankara. This article is for parliamentary diplomacy and entitled“Cultural Diplomacy Initiatives serves as the parliamentary dimension of the Turkic-Speaking Republics.” of the cooperation and integration of The author explores the initiatives of Turkic-speaking nations. The author cultural diplomacy which the Turkic- also demonstrates how, after the speaking nations have undertaken dissolution of the Soviet Union, the at a global level. The main argument Turkic-speaking nations displayed put forward in the article is that the their dedication to acting together newly independent Turkic-speaking in a coordinated way by establishing republics have determined a culture- TurkPA. In fact, as Ercan Durdular based policy for their state building. shows, TurkPA has a strong potential The article demonstrates convincingly for contributing to the diplomatic

4 Introduction: Celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the Independence of the Turkic-Speaking States resolution of regional problems as well special issue of Perceptions: Journal of as to the harmonization of laws and International Affairs is dedicated to the policies towards regional integration. well-founded fraternal ties between Turkey and the other Turkic-speaking In conclusion, I hope the readers states. Happy anniversaries!!! of this special issue will find these articles to be noteworthy contributions to the literature at a time when we th celebrate the 25 anniversary of the This special issue ofPerceptions: independence declarations by the Journal of International Affairs Turkic-speaking states. I also believe is dedicated to the well- that the analytical insights of these founded fraternal ties between articles could stimulate further discussions about the future prospects Turkey and the other Turkic- of the Turkic-speaking states. Last but speaking states. not least, I would like to note that this

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