Macedonia |
Turkey |
Macedonian–Turkish relations are foreign relations between Macedonia and Turkey.
Contents |
Due to historical and cultural mutualities and human bonds Macedonia and Turkey have very close and friendly relations.[1] Shortly after Macedonia declared its independence from the former Yugoslavia in 1991 Turkey recognized Macedonia's sovereignty as one of the first countries and also recognizes the latter under its constitutional name Republic of Macedonia[1], which is recognized by 130 countries worldwide.[2] Bilateral relations where established on 26 August 1992.[3] Macedonia has an embassy in Ankara and a consulate–general in Istanbul, while Turkey has an embassy in Skopje and a consulate-general in Bitola. Also, Turkish is a co-official language in two municipalities, besides of Macedonian.
Both countries are European Union candidate countries and share the common goal of accession to it.[4] Turkey is a strong supporter of Macedonia's accession to the NATO, of which Turkey is a member country since 1952.
There is a 77,959 people strong Turkish minority in Macedonia, which makes up 3.85% of the total population of the country.[5] The Turks of Macedonia serve as a bridge between the two nations.[1] They also have a political party in Macedonia, the Democratic Party of Turks.
Macedonia's and Turkey's cooperation in culture dates back to 1995, when it was regulated with an international agreement. Both ministries of culture are constantly expanding this cooperation with several programs. The last program was valid between 2004 and 2007.
On 22 April 2009 in Istanbul, the ministers of culture of both countries signed a new program for cooperation in the sphere of culture for the period between 2009 and 2011. According to the program both sides shall intensify the cooperation in different segments of culture and art. Additionally, the countries shall promote each others culture and open Cultural Information Centres - Macedonia in Istanbul and Turkey in Skopje. On that occasion, the Macedonian minister also announced that the Macedonian government decided to renew the house of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk's parents, located in the village of Kodžadžik near Debar.[6] The Turkish authorities allowed Macedonian archaeologists to make a copy of the Alexander Sarcophagus that afterwards will be displayed in a Macedonian museum.[7]
There is also active cooperation in music, with reciprocal participation of artists on cultural events and performances of folklore ensembles. Also, the popular Turkish TV series Elveda Rumeli (Farewell Rumelia) is filmed in the Macedonian city Bitola.[6]
Turkey and Macedonia also have good economic relations. There are several Turkish companies present in Macedonia, notably TAV and Sisecam.
|
||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||