Slovakia–Turkey relations are the bilateral relations between Slovakia and Turkey. In 1993, Turkey was one of the first states to formally recognize both the Slovakia and Czech Republic as separate, and sovereign states after the dissolution. Diplomatic relations and the Turkish Embassy in Bratislava were established on January 4, 1993. Slovakia has an embassy in Ankara and a consulate-general in Istanbul. Before the 1990s split, Turkey held close but also tense relations with Czechoslovakia, specifically during the Cold War due to NATO and the rest of Europe pushing and supporting anti-communist sentiment and approach for its members, such as Turkey, towards Eastern Bloc (Warsaw Pact) countries of which Czechoslovakia was a part of.

Diplomatic relations Relations between the predecessor Czechoslovakia and Turkey had been excellent until 1948 after World War II, when relations rapidly deterioratedBradley, J.F.N. Czechoslovakia: A Short History. Edinburgh: University Press, 1971. because of disagreements over the compensationKosta, Jin. Neue Reformansätze im Wirtschaftssystem der CSSR. (Berichte des Bundesinstituts fur ostwissenschaftliche und internationale Studien, 21-1985.) Cologne: Bundesinstitut fur ostwissenschaftliche und internationale Studien, 1985. for the nationalization of Turkish companies, and the rise of the Cold War.

Trade relations were modest but limited because of Turkey's refusalLettrich, Jozef. History of Modern Slovakia. Toronto: Slovak Research and Studies Center, 1985. to participate in a trade agreement until the claimsGlos, George E. "The Legal System of Czechoslovakia." Pages 83–116 in Kenneth Robert Redden (ed.), Modern Legal Systems Cyclopedia. Buffalo: William S. Hein, 1985. of nationalized businesses were settled.

Relations were more damaged during the Cold War because of Czechoslovakia's alignment within the Warsaw Pact, and its alignment against IsraelKusin, Vladimir V. " Gorbachev and Eastern Europe," Problems of Communism, 35, January–February 1986, pp. 39-53. in the Middle East, which was Turkey's closest ally and partner in that region, specially against the Arab and communist nations.

In 1993, Turkey formally recognized both the Slovakia and Czech Republic as separate, sovereign states. Diplomatic relations and the Turkish Embassy in Bratislava were established on January 4, 1993.

NATO and the EU, both of which Slovakia has been a member of since 2004, are the two main organizations at which Turkey and the Slovak Republic collaborate closely within. Slovakia and Turkey have strong diplomatic ties and cooperate in the military and law enforcement areas since 2004, specially since Slovakia joined the NATO Alliance.

Economic relations Bilateral trade volume between Turkey and Slovakia stood at 1.5 billion USD in 2021. Turkish exports being 650 million USD, & Slovak imports standing at just over 850 million USD.Tradingeconomics.com - Slovakia & Turkey (Blocked site) In 2018, more than 157 thousand Slovak tourists visited Turkey, with an increase of 62 % compared to the previous year in 2017, though tourism during the COVID-19 pandemic that started off in 2019 affected tourism in both countries significantly.

See also

Foreign relations of Slovakia Foreign relations of Turkey Turkey-EU relations Accession of Turkey to the EU NATO-EU relations

References