IS TURKEY IN THE MIDDLE EAST?
Turkey is a large and developed country. It has a population of 84 million. It is known that a large part of the population is working, young and dynamic. Turkey has been developing rapidly in recent years. You can find detailed information about these issues in the article titled “What is Turkey’s Population Today“.
Turkey is among the candidate countries of the European Union. Also, Turkey is a NATO member. For Turkey’s relations with the European Union and NATO, you can read the articles titled “Is Turkey in Europe” and “Is Turkey a NATO Member“.
Turkey is geographically located in the Middle East region. However, Turkey differs from the Middle East countries in many aspects. The most important proof of this is the acceptance of the principle of ‘secularism’ in the Turkish Constitution. Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Republic of Turkey, took the Western countries as an example when establishing the state. Mustafa Kemal Atatürk made many revolutions. It would be misleading to think of Turkey as other Middle Eastern countries. Many rules in Turkey are similar to European countries. It is known that many laws were written by taking examples from European countries. In addition, Turkey is bound by the decisions of the European Court of Human Rights. Turkey has 8 border neighbors. You can find detailed information on this subject in the article titled “Which Countries Does Turkey Border With“. On the western borders of Turkey is Greece, which is a member of the European Union. Another western border neighbor of Turkey is Bulgaria. Middle Eastern countries neighboring Turkey are Syria, Iraq, Iran, Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia.
Turkey has close relations with Middle Eastern countries. It is known that Turkey exports to many Middle Eastern countries. There is a wave of migration from Middle Eastern countries to Turkey. A large number of Middle Easterners immigrated to Turkey. It is seen that these migrations still continue. A large number of people immigrate to Turkey, especially from Afghanistan and Pakistan. It is thought that these people came to Turkey via Iran. In addition, many Middle Eastern immigrants want to move to European countries after they come to Turkey.
Afghan and Pakistani people who immigrated to Turkey generally work as workers in the field of agriculture and animal husbandry.
Turkey’s relations with Middle Eastern countries are generally at a good level. However, political tensions may arise from time to time with some countries. For example, diplomatic tensions arose between Turkey and Saudi Arabia due to the murder of a Saudi citizen journalist named Jamal Khashoggi in Turkey. It is known that Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi was killed on 2 October 2018 in the Consulate General of Saudi Arabia in Istanbul.
The political tensions between Turkey and Saudi Arabia seem to have disappeared with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s visit to Saudi Arabia on April 29, 2022. Then, Saudi prince Mohammed bin Salman came to Turkey on 22 June 2022. It is thought that with these visits, warm relations were established between the two countries. In addition, Turkey had a period of tension with Egypt. The removal of Mohammed Morsi, who came to power on June 30, 2012 in Egypt, from power on July 3, 2013, with the military revolution led by Sisi, was not welcomed by the Turkish State. As a result, tensions arose between the two countries. However, it is stated that relations tend to improve.