ABSTRACT

This chapter focuses on the Turkish reaction to the emergence of the Turkic Republics, and the promotion of the Turkish model, and how Turkey developed relations with the new Turkic Republics during the early days of their independence. It outlines the main factors that affected the reactions and decisions of Turkey. The chapter discusses the attitudes and reactions of Turkish politicians, political parties, elite, the media and the public. It also discusses Turkish foreign policy style, and Turkish policy towards the Turkic Republics. In the 1990's, Turkish decision-makers started to be more active, searching for possibilities of co-operation in the region. There was considerable change in Turkish foreign policy style; the traditional Turkish policy of non-interference with the Turks living outside of Turkey changed. Turkish decision-makers welcomed the emergence of the Turkic Republics enthusiastically. Whether Islamist or advertly Pan-Turkist, the nationalist backgrounds of the majority of the politicians of the time increased their enthusiasm.