Sourced fact
The News
According to the Anadolu Agency, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that Turkey seeks to increase its global weight through a "360-degree vision," meaning that joining the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) does not imply abandoning relations with the West.
Analysis & context
Analysis & Context
Analytically, this statement from President Erdogan is an affirmation of Turkey's foreign policy, which aims to diversify international relations and expand its sphere of influence. As a potential member of the SCO, Turkey seeks to enhance its role in Central Asia and Eastern Europe, but it does not want to abandon its strong ties with the European Union and the United States. In a broader context, this policy points to Turkey's trend toward strengthening its role as a bridge between the East and the West, while maintaining a balance between strategic interests.
