Is Turkey's influence on the Balkans growing?

Turkey is expanding economic and cultural influence in Balkan countries, and analysts say the objectively strategy with most Muslim residents is bothering some of the Western allies.

The Balkan region has been the center of the Ottoman Empire. This historic heritage has made the region a priority for Turkey's ruling party, AKP, under the direction of re-elected President Recep Tayip Erdogan.

Turkey's growing influence was evident in this month's inauguration ceremony for Mr. Erdogan.

While Western European leaders were not present, leaders of five Balkan countries attended the ceremony.

As long as the AKP is planning to revive the Ottoman past, the Balkans are important to them”, says Professor Istar Gozaydin, a researcher for the Balkans.

“Balkan, such as the region, for many centuries, was under Ottoman influence and rule. I see a revival of Islamic identity and Turkish influence in the region”, says International Relations Professor Huseyin Bagci, expert on the Balkans, at the Technical University for the Middle East in Ankara.

“Turkey is using its power in cultural, economic and linguistic power to Turkish minorities living in the Balkans to increase influence in this region. Professor Bagz adds:

Some European leaders have expressed concern over the issue.

“I don't want the Balkans to be run by Turkey, or Russia”, French President Emmanuel Macron said in May.

Erdogan responded immediately, saying this comment was “inappropriate for a state man”.

Turkey's economy is much more powerful than its neighbours in the Balkans and the economy is exactly Ankara's main weapon for influence.

Turkey is building airports, is investing in certain sectors, such as. In Bulgaria and Romania, such as the textile industry and many more” ʹ says Balkan expert Bagci.

Turkey is investing in construction of Vlora Airport and the establishment of the only Albanian flight company.

“Against the Balkans exists an aggressive economic policy that cannot compete with Turkey. In the Balkans there are two major countries that have influence. One is Germany, and the other is Turkey”, Bagci continues.

Trade has helped Ankara overcome past hostilities.

Many of these countries do not have direct access to the European Union market, so many look to Turkey for trade”, says analyst Semih Idiz, of the Al Monitor portal.

“During the recent wars in the Balkans, Turkey and Serbia were in different directions. Both countries were hostile. Today we see that Serbia and Turkey have close relations, despite disagreements over Kosovo and Bosnia, and other issues of this nature. A country like Serbia appreciates friendship with Turkey, and I think this is valid even for countries like Croatia”, Idiz adds, referring to events that brought about the breakup of the former Yugoslavia.

Serbia is now Turkey's main trade partner in the Balkans, with a $1 billion trade balance.

Exploiting ties with the Turkish population living in the Balkans through promotion of religion and culture is another vital tool used by Ankara.

“They are using religion and diplomacy. Institutions like Tika and Diyane do a lot of work in the region”, Gozaydin says.

Tika is the Turkish state development agency, while Dayanet is the agency that deals with Islamic issues both inside and abroad.

Both institutions are at the forefront of efforts to enhance Turkish influence in the Balkans.

“They work with the authorities in these countries and try to influence their policy. In Bosnia, for example, they try to influence the appointment of religious authorities, with the aim of cooperating with them.” says Gozaydin.

Turkey has financed projects for mosque construction throughout the Balkans, including two of the region's largest mosques, Albania and Bulgaria. Turkish cultural foundations also work to promote Turkish ethnic identity.

“But while Ankara has been successful to increase its influence, there are signs of increasing concerns about this “, Gozaydin warns.

I have met many people in these countries, such as authorities and others, who are unhappy with Turkey's great efforts to influence these countries. This is considered an intervention in the internal politics of these countries,”- says Gozaydin.

Last year, the United States expressed alarm for Ankara's policies.

“Balkan is a region we have serious concerns about”, said the general's national security adviser at the time. H.R. McMister.

Ankara has rejected these criticisms, saying it is simply restoring centuries-old cultural ties and adds that Russia and European countries are trying too hard to influence the Balkans.

In May, European officials held talks with leaders of the Western Balkans in Bulgaria to re-ex0> European perspective” of the region.

Given the history of past years with ethnic and religious conflicts in the region, analysts warn of the danger of severe nationalist reactions, if Ankara does not carefully measure its steps.

The Turkish, or Muslim, <x0). “The more Muslim identity strengthens, the more populist movements are going to grow and strengthen in the Balkans, as in Germany and other countries. There's a possibility of conflict”.