A snapshot of recent Bulgarian-Turkish Foreign Policy Exchanges and Security Dynamics
Dr. Kiril Avramov
(Assistant Professor of Political Science,
Department of Political Science, New Bulgarian University)
“You can please some of the people all of the time, you can please all of the people some of the time, but you can’t please all of the people all of the time”.”
― John Lydgate
Copyright: Research Institute for European and American Studies (www.rieas.gr) Publication date: 26 July 2017
Note: The article reflects the opinion of the author and not necessarily the views of the Research Institute for European and American Studies (RIEAS).
A bit of a background
Despite the turbulent events and constant internal and foreign policy tensions in Turkey prior and following the failed coup d’état in July 2016 the Bulgarian foreign policy has strived to maintain a so-called “pragmatic approach” in dealing with its large and restless neighbor. The Bulgarian foreign policy and security apparatus while acknowledging the trends and dynamics of Turkish foreign and security policy that has undergone a dramatic stage of transformation from “zero problems with neighbors policy” ( ) to almost “zero friends” in its immediate vicinity and beyond, has maintained a relatively stable line of steadily pragmatic strategic approach that excludes antagonism and harsh criticism of Erdogan’s regime and policies...Read more