Türkiye–Shanghai Cooperation Organization relations

Abstract

This study examines Türkiye’s relations with the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), its founding purpose, development, and strategic importance for Türkiye. Founded in 2001, the primary purpose of the SCO is to ensure security, economic cooperation, and regional stability among member states. Shaped in line with the goals of com bating terrorism, separatism, and extremism, the SCO also provides a platform to promote economic development. In 2012, Türkiye joined the SCO as a dialogue partner and accelerated its efforts to improve cooperation with the organization. Türkiye’s relations with the SCO offer significant opportunities for cooperation, particularly in energy security, trade, and regional security. While Türkiye’s NATO and European Union (EU) membership processes with the West continue, it is also seen as pursuing a balancing policy in its relations with the SCO. The study analyzes the challenges Türkiye faces in its relations with the SCO, mainly how Türkiye can position itself as an independent actor in the face of Russia and China’s leadership in the organization. Türkiye’s efforts to join the SCO and its strategic goals in this process may open the door to deeper cooperation in the future. Türkiye’s relations with the SCO have not only been limited to security and trade but have also created the potential for cooperation in large scale projects such as China’s Belt and Road Initiative. Under this initiative, Türkiye aims to become a key actor in economic development projects by acting as a strategic bridge between East and West. In conclusion, the SCO offers significant potential for Türkiye as a multifaceted foreign policy tool, and these relations are predicted to strengthen further.