Quo Vadis Turkey – Is this the End of European Direction in Turkey’s Foreign Policy?

Since the founding of the republic in 1923, Turkey has been geared towards westernization and building close contacts with European states. Even after the end of World War II and the emergence of the bipolar system, it decided on membership in the capitalist bloc as an ally within NATO and aspired to membership in the European Communities. The disintegration of the Yalta system and the creation of the multipolar system became a challenge for shaping new directions in Turkey’s foreign policy, and at the same time weakened its links with the Western allies. Ankara started to believe uncritically in its own potential and capacity to act as a regional power and Eurasian state that was building its infl uence in the area of the former Ottoman Empire. It seems, however, that uncritical self-esteem and excessive ambition have outstripped the possibilities of Turkish politicians.