Turkey’s policy in Central Asia

The article explores the foreign policy course of the Republic of Turkey in Central Asia, which has intensified in recent years. The article analyses ambitious energy projects of Turkey, which seeks to become an energy ‘hub’. The article pays great attention to the study of the institutional framework and key instruments of Turkey’s ‘soft power’, which pursues an active policy towards the Turkic-speaking countries of Central Asia. This has allowed Turkey to significantly expand its influence in the countries of the region, competing with Russian and Chinese influence. The article explores the role of the ‘Organisation of Turkic States’ (OTS), whose activities Ankara pays increased attention to. Turkish policy is aimed at using the potential of this organisation to pursue its own interests. The article concludes that the Organization of Turkic States plays a significant role as one of the important actors between Turkey and the states in the region. It also concludes that Turkey’s policy in Central Asia is aimed at addressing long-term objectives related to the expansion of political, economic and cultural influence.