O Fascínio pelo Oriente: A Política Externa de Portugal face à Turquia

Abstract

This research article intends to approach the reason(s) for Portugal repeated, almost enthusiastic support for Turkey’s accession to the European Union. The Portuguese diplomatic approach is intriguing since these two states are quite different – not only for their geography and past, but also for their little political or economic interaction. In addressing this issue, two starting points are raised: (i) the advantage of having an important member of NATO in the European Union, which comes from the Eastern Mediterranean and so is peripheral to the European hard core, such as Portugal, located at the other end of Europe and with an Atlantic dimension; (ii) the advantage of creating economic and commercial links with states having important markets outside the European Union, and the traditional areas of Portuguese historical-cultural relationships. To test these two hypotheses a qualitative type methodology was used. It is based on a review, albeit selective, of the scarce existing scientific literature on the subject as well as on the analysis of Portuguese foreign policy documents, including public statements of Portuguese and Turkish leaders. Thus, Portuguese foreign policy towards Turkey will be analysed, with particular focus on the last two decades, when Turkey became an official candidate for accession and negotiations were opened with the European Union.