Questions prepared by Ali Askerli

A.T.: How do you envision the future of Türkiye–Europe relations in the next ten years?

Y.T.: Türkiye and Europe share a common geography, deep economic ties, and longstanding institutional links. As a candidate country for European Union membership since 2004 and as a part of the Customs Union since 1996, Türkiye has been an integral part of the European political and economic architecture for decades. Throughout this process, Türkiye has remained committed to the principles and values that underpin the European project, including democracy, the rule of law, and respect for human rights, while continuing its efforts to advance alignment and cooperation with European institutions. I believe the future of our relations should be based on mutual respect, equal partnership, and a shared commitment to peace, prosperity, and security. Over the next decade, there is significant potential to strengthen cooperation in areas such as trade, migration management, energy, connectivity, and regional stability. Advancing a constructive and forward-looking agenda, free from double standards and based on our common interests, would benefit both Türkiye and Europe and contribute to a more stable and resilient continent. 

A.T.: Has Türkiye’s strategic importance for Europe increased? If so, in what ways?

Y.T.: Without doubt, Türkiye’s strategic importance has increased in the current geopolitical environment. Situated at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, Türkiye plays a vital role in regional security, energy transit, migration management, and diplomatic engagement. Türkiye has played an important role in regional stability and crisis diplomacy through initiatives such as the Black Sea Grain Initiative, its efforts to facilitate dialogue in regional conflicts, and its contribution to European energy security and supply chain resilience. At a time of growing uncertainty, Türkiye is not only a key ally but also an indispensable actor for peace, stability, and cooperation across the wider European region.

A.T.: Türkiye has long been both a European and a Eurasian actor. How can Ankara balance its commitments to European institutions while simultaneously expanding its engagement with the Turkic world?

Y.T.: Ankara does not view its European and Turkic dimensions as competing strategic choices. Rather, Türkiye presents itself as a central power that connects Europe, the Balkans, the Black Sea, the Caucasus, Central Asia, the Middle East and the Mediterranean. Türkiye’s engagement with the Turkic world complements, rather than replaces, its European commitments.
Maintaining strong ties with European institutions remains essential. Türkiye continues to emphasize its status as an EU candidate country, its indispensable role within NATO, and its contribution to European security, migration management, energy security and regional stability. Turkish leaders increasingly argue that European security architecture cannot be sustainable without Türkiye’s participation and that deeper cooperation with Europe serves the interests of both sides.
At the same time, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has identified the strengthening of the Organization of Turkic States as a strategic priority. Türkiye seeks greater economic integration, transport connectivity, digital cooperation, defense-industrial collaboration, cultural exchanges and people-to-people ties across the Turkic world.
Therefore, Türkiye aims to serve as Europe’s gateway to Central Asia while simultaneously acting as the Turkic world’s gateway to European markets, institutions and technologies. Through transport corridors, energy routes, trade networks and diplomatic engagement, Türkiye seeks to transform its unique geography into a source of geopolitical influence.
In this regard, balancing European commitments and engagement with the Turkic world does not require choosing one over the other.

A.T.: What role can Europe play in fostering constructive relations with the Turkic states of Central Asia and the South Caucasus, particularly in areas such as trade, energy, transportation, education, and governance?

Y.T.: Europe can play a highly constructive role in its relations with the Turkic states of Central Asia and the South Caucasus.
In the field of trade and transportation, Middle Corridor is emerging as the most dependable trade route between Asia and Europe, particularly in light of recent disruptions to global supply chains. Greater European investment in railways, ports, customs harmonization and digital connectivity would benefit all parties by strengthening economic resilience and diversification.
Furthermore, in the field of energy, Europe can deepen cooperation with Türkiye and the Turkic states to enhance energy security, diversify supply routes and support renewable energy projects.
Therefore, effective European role is not to view the Turkic world as a sphere of geopolitical competition, but as a strategic partner. Through cooperation with Türkiye, the Organization of Turkic States and regional governments, Europe can help build a more connected, prosperous and stable Eurasian space based on shared interests in trade, energy security, transportation, education and sustainable development.

A.T.: Some observers argue that Europe tends to view the Turkic world primarily through a geopolitical or security lens. What steps could European institutions take to develop a broader and more sustainable partnership with Turkic societies?

Y.T.: The Turkic world is a multidimensional space shaped by a shared history, a common cultural heritage, strong economic ties, educational cooperation, and extensive people-to-people connections. Covering approximately 4.5 million square kilometers and home to a dynamic population, around 40 percent of which consists of young people, the Turkic world represents the world’s 13th-largest economic area, with a combined economic output exceeding 4 trillion dollars.
Situated at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and the Caucasus, the Turkic world is naturally gaining strategic significance and emerging as an increasingly influential center in global affairs. Its indispensable role in transportation, energy transmission, and communication corridors further enhances its importance. At the same time, developments in energy security, transport connectivity, supply-chain diversification, and digital transformation are positioning the Turkic world as a significant actor not only at the regional level but also on the global stage.
At the same time, the Turkic world should not be viewed solely through a geopolitical lens; it is also a cultural and civilizational community with considerable potential in innovation, education, and human development. Its rich cultural heritage, stretching across Central Asia, the Caucasus, Anatolia, and beyond, provides a strong foundation for deeper international engagement and cooperation.
Therefore, if European institutions are to establish a broader and more sustainable partnership with Turkic societies, they should engage with this wider reality. A more comprehensive European approach could place greater emphasis on cultural engagement, educational cooperation, economic connectivity, institutional dialogue, and people-to-people exchanges. Such an approach would foster mutual understanding and trust while unlocking opportunities for shared growth and development. Building and strengthening cooperation across these areas would contribute not only to deeper Europe–Turkic world relations but also to regional peace, stability, and shared prosperity.

A.T.: If you were advising both European and Turkish policymakers today, what single strategic priority would you emphasize to ensure stronger Türkiye -Europe relations and more effective engagement with the wider Turkic world over the coming decade?

Y.T.: If I were to emphasise one strategic priority for both European and Turkish policymakers, it would be the rebuilding of confidence through a genuine long-term strategic partnership. At a time of growing geopolitical uncertainty, economic transformation, technological disruption and security challenges, neither Europe nor Türkiye can afford relationships defined by short-term calculations or recurring crises. What is needed is a stronger culture of dialogue, deeper institutional cooperation and a shared vision based on mutual respect and common interests. The same perspective should guide our engagement with the wider Turkic world, which is linked not only by history, culture and language, but increasingly by trade, connectivity, energy cooperation and strategic potential. As I have previously underlined, stronger ties within the Turkic world should not be viewed as an alternative to Europe, but rather as a complementary asset that can contribute to the stability and prosperity of a broader region stretching from Europe to Central Asia. Türkiye’s history, geography and strategic outlook do not require choosing between East and West; on the contrary, they provide us with a unique capacity to promote dialogue, connectivity and shared prosperity across a vast geography extending from Europe to Central Asia and beyond. A more confident relationship between Türkiye and Europe, combined with deeper engagement between Europe and the Turkic world, can unlock new opportunities for cooperation in trade, energy, transport and people-to-people contacts. If we invest in trust, connectivity and cooperation today, I believe the coming decade can become a period of greater stability, shared prosperity and renewed confidence across Europe and the wider Turkic world.

A.T.: The Middle Corridor connecting Europe and Asia through Türkiye and Azerbaijan has received growing attention in recent years. What steps should Türkiye, Azerbaijan, and European partners take to transform this vision into a sustainable geopolitical and economic reality?

Y.T.: Türkiye has already taken important steps to strengthen the Middle Corridor and transform it into a viable trade route connecting Asia and Europe. Around 2,200 kilometers of the corridor pass through Türkiye, and significant sections of the railway infrastructure have already been completed and are operational. Türkiye continues to invest in the corridor in cooperation with neighboring and transit countries, while planning additional projects such as a new rail crossing in Istanbul to further reduce transport times. Major infrastructure initiatives, including the Triple-Deck Tunnel Project, the construction of the Filyos, Çandarlı, and Mersin ports, and the Edirne-Kars High-Speed Railway and its connections, are also expected to enhance the corridor’s capacity. In addition, the establishment of logistics centers and free trade zones along the route would strengthen Trans-Caspian cooperation and improve the corridor’s long-term economic sustainability.
Azerbaijan should continue to promote the Middle Corridor as a platform for long-term regional connectivity and economic integration rather than merely a transport route. It can play a constructive role in strengthening cooperation, coordination, and mutual trust among the countries along the corridor, while supporting the development of stable and predictable institutional frameworks.
European partners, for their part, should view the Middle Corridor as a strategic connectivity initiative that enhances links between Europe and Asia. Sustained political commitment, stronger institutional engagement, and long-term partnership approaches will be essential for transforming the corridor into a durable economic reality. In addition, regular dialogue, joint planning mechanisms, and a shared vision among all stakeholders can help ensure the corridor’s long-term sustainability and resilience.