Due to its geographical location and political dynamics, Türkiye has historically been a country of emigration, immigration, and transit. Recently, the impact of migration in Türkiye has extended beyond demographic changes and economic consequences to significantly shape the country’s foreign policy. The relationship between migration and foreign policy can historically be examined through bilateral relations. For example, the population exchange between Türkiye and Greece in the early years of the Republic, and the forced migrations from Iran in 1979 and Bulgaria in 1989, directly influenced relations with neighboring countries. In recent years, due to the Syrian civil war and other regional conflicts, Türkiye has become the world’s leading host of refugees, placing migration management policies at the center of its foreign relations, particularly with the European Union (EU). The readmission agreement with the EU, signed accords, and incoming financial aid have become significant components of Türkiye’s migration governance system. The effects of migration on Türkiye’s foreign policy are not limited to crisis management and humanitarian perspectives. Türkiye also aims to influence regional power balances and gain strategic advantages on international platforms through its migration policies. In this context, migration and refugee issues play a decisive role in Türkiye’s EU membership process and its policies toward the Middle East and Africa. Thus, migration and foreign policy in Türkiye emerge as two significant dynamics that mutually influence and shape each other. Understanding the relationship between these two areas is crucial for better evaluating Türkiye’s global position and regional strategies. This chapter examines this context under five main headings: (i) Historical Context, depicting different periods of external migration from the late Ottoman Empire to the modern Republic of Türkiye, (ii) Contemporary Migration Trends, demonstrating Türkiye’s emergence as a significant migration hub for migrants from various geographies for different reasons, both as a transit and destination country, (iii) Türkiye’s Approach to Forced Migration, hosting millions of forced migrants due to international conflicts like the Syrian crisis, (iv) Bilateral and Multilateral Relations, compiling various agreements and cooperation mechanisms with international actors to strengthen cooperation on migration issues; and finally, (v) Border and Security Measures, detailing the various measures taken to manage irregular migration movements.

Migration in Turkish Foreign Policy

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发表日期：

2026年

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Deniz Ş. Sert

摘要

Due to its geographical location and political dynamics, Türkiye has historically been a country of emigration, immigration, and transit. Recently, the impact of migration in Türkiye has extended beyond demographic changes and economic consequences to significantly shape the country’s foreign policy. The relationship between migration and foreign policy can historically be examined through bilateral relations. For example, the population exchange between Türkiye and Greece in the early years of the Republic, and the forced migrations from Iran in 1979 and Bulgaria in 1989, directly influenced relations with neighboring countries. In recent years, due to the Syrian civil war and other regional conflicts, Türkiye has become the world’s leading host of refugees, placing migration management policies at the center of its foreign relations, particularly with the European Union (EU). The readmission agreement with the EU, signed accords, and incoming financial aid have become significant components of Türkiye’s migration governance system. The effects of migration on Türkiye’s foreign policy are not limited to crisis management and humanitarian perspectives. Türkiye also aims to influence regional power balances and gain strategic advantages on international platforms through its migration policies. In this context, migration and refugee issues play a decisive role in Türkiye’s EU membership process and its policies toward the Middle East and Africa. Thus, migration and foreign policy in Türkiye emerge as two significant dynamics that mutually influence and shape each other. Understanding the relationship between these two areas is crucial for better evaluating Türkiye’s global position and regional strategies. This chapter examines this context under five main headings: (i) Historical Context, depicting different periods of external migration from the late Ottoman Empire to the modern Republic of Türkiye, (ii) Contemporary Migration Trends, demonstrating Türkiye’s emergence as a significant migration hub for migrants from various geographies for different reasons, both as a transit and destination country, (iii) Türkiye’s Approach to Forced Migration, hosting millions of forced migrants due to international conflicts like the Syrian crisis, (iv) Bilateral and Multilateral Relations, compiling various agreements and cooperation mechanisms with international actors to strengthen cooperation on migration issues; and finally, (v) Border and Security Measures, detailing the various measures taken to manage irregular migration movements.