ABSTRACT

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts covered in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book examines the basic parameters of post-Cold War Turkish–Russian relations. It deals with the emergence and growing prominence of business interest groups which strive for the advancement of political and economic relations between the two states to ensure less problematic business environment for themselves along with deepening and expansion of social ties between the peoples of Russia and Turkey via marriages, student and touristic exchanges and academic interaction. The book also discusses the issues of cooperation and competition between Turkey and Russia in South Caucasus, Central Asia, Black Sea and Middle East regions in addition to the impact of the separatist Chechen and Kurdish currents on the bilateral relationship. It also examines the growing cooperation between Russia and Turkey in the post-Cold War years in the fields of bilateral trade, energy, construction and contracting services and investments.