FRANCE-TURKEY RELATIONS AMID GEOPOLITICAL SHIFTS: AN ANALYSIS OF BILATERAL DYNAMICS AND REGIONAL IMPLICATIONS (2012-2019)

Abstract

This article examines the dynamics of France-Turkey relations between 2012 and 2019, a period marked by recurring tensions yet characterized overall by structural continuity and sustained engagement. It argues that, beyond shifting geopolitical developments, bilateral relations were significantly shaped by the evolving domestic and foreign policy priorities, strategic recalibrations, and changing perceptions of both states. These transformations influenced the scope and direction of political dialogue and multi-sectoral cooperation. Despite periodic crises, deep-rooted interdependence functioned as a stabilizing factor, ensuring the preservation and relative continuity of the relationship throughout the period under study.

To analyze these dynamics, the study adopts a multidisciplinary methodological framework grounded in strategic analysis. This is complemented by event analysis, which facilitates the identification and examination of pivotal moments and significant developments shaping bilateral relations. Furthermore, content analysis is employed to systematically assess diplomatic communications, policy documents, official statements, and media coverage, offering insights into the narratives and discourses influencing Franco–Turkish interactions. By integrating these methods, the study achieves a nuanced understanding of the political, diplomatic, and legal factors that guided the evolution of France–Turkey relations throughout the period under review.