TÜRKİYE-INDONESIA RELATIONS IN THE FRAMEWORK OF TÜRKİYE’S SOUTHEAST ASIA POLICY

Turkish foreign policy increasingly focused on the Southeast Asia region in the post- Cold War era. Türkiye realized the necessity to follow active policy towards the regions that Türkiye had limited access during the Cold War era. Türkiye and Indonesia have historical ties backed to the Ottoman era and even before. Both countries have different position during the Cold War era since Türkiye as a NATO member in the Western Bloc, on the other hand Indonesia was a leading actor in non- allied movement. The situation changed with the end of the Cold War. In the new international system Türkiye and Indonesia developed relations based on mutual interest and historical ties. Southeast Asia region has been defined as a rising region of the post-Cold War world. The region’s economic development and opportunities made Turkish foreign policy makers instigated new foreign policy initiatives towards Southeast Asian countries and regional organizations. Türkiye became sectoral dialogue partner of ASEAN and signed Free Trade Agreements with some regional countries. Türkiye declared Asia a New Initiative in 2019. Türkiye’s trade volume with Southeast Asian countries has substantially increased. Among Southeast Asian countries, Indonesia has special importance with its strategic position and population for Turkish foreign policy. Türkiye-Indonesia relations reached the level of strategic partnership and the two countries’ cooperation in defense industry cemented bilateral relations. Türkiye-Indonesia relations created atmosphere that both countries could work together on important regional and global issues, which includes from struggle against Islamophobia to regional economic development. In this article Türkiye-Indonesia relations will be evaluated in the framework of Türkiye’s Southeast Asia policy. It is argued that Indonesia deserves more attention in Turkish Southeast Asia policy. Closer Türkiye-Indonesia relations would provide more opportunities for both countries and Turkish-Indonesian relations will become even more important for Türkiye’s Southeast Asia policy.