New Publication Launch: “Türkiye’s Strategic Influence in Southeast

Bucharest, 11 November 2025 - A new volume titled “Türkiye’s Strategic Influence in Southeast Europe” was launched on Tuesday at a roundtable event bringing together policymakers, diplomats, scholars, and regional experts to discuss Türkiye’s evolving role in the region’s political and security landscape.

“Türkiye’s Strategic Influence in Southeast Europe” is a timely and comprehensive contribution to understanding the shifting geopolitical realities of the region. It sheds light on how Ankara’s policies and partnerships continue to shape the strategic trajectory of Southeast Europe in an era of global uncertainty.

For decades, Türkiye’s engagement with Southeast Europe has been interpreted primarily through the prism of its EU accession aspirations. Yet, as the new publication underscores, Ankara continues to be a significant regional presence – not only as a historical power but also as an increasingly dynamic player in economic, political, and security affairs. 

In recent years, Türkiye’s more assertive foreign policy has drawn renewed attention, reflecting its growing geopolitical weight across the Western Balkans, the Black Sea, and the Middle East. Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and evolving transatlantic relations have further reshaped Europe’s security architecture, opening new avenues for Türkiye to assert its regional influence.

Featuring country perspectives from Bulgaria, Romania, and Serbia, the publication offers an in-depth analysis of how Türkiye’s internal transformation and foreign policy trajectory have repositioned Ankara as a key actor in Southeast Europe. It also explores whether this shifting dynamic calls for a recalibration of regional foreign policies as Southeast European capitals reassess Ankara’s strategic importance.

The publication is part of the FES Regional Project “Dialogue Southeast Europe” located in Sarajevo. 

The study is available here: Download PDF

For media inquiries:
Cristian Chiscop
Program Coordinator, Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Romania
cristian.chiscop(at)fes.de, +40 723 580 449