Türkiye–France Relations: Identity, Politics, And European Integration

Turkish modernization, which turned towards the West from the late Ottoman period onwards, reflects Türkiye’s desire to become part of the European political and cultural structure, a country historically often positioned as the “other” by European societies. When France-Türkiye relations are evaluated historically, the positive relations established during the reign of Suleiman the Magnificent are noteworthy, but in subsequent periods, relations have mostly followed a problematic and turbulent course. France, positioning itself as one of the leading actors in the European Union, has attempted to play a decisive and guiding role in Türkiye’s relations with the European Union. This study will examine the extent to which the perception of Turkish identity has influenced the attitude of France, one of the countries that has shown the strongest opposition to Türkiye’s EU membership process. Furthermore, the role of Türkiye’s religious and cultural structure, as well as historical and political factors such as the Armenian question and the Cyprus problem, in France-Türkiye and Türkiye-European Union relations will be discussed.