THE NEW CHALLENGES OF THE SCO AND TURKEY-SCO RELATIONS

Abstract

SCO, CSTO, Turkey, China, Russia, Central Asia This paper studies the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO)’s objectives, its expanding process, the advantages and disadvantages of the new and old member states and SCOTurkey relations. There is an increasing political and economic rivalry between SCO’s two important members (China and Russia). This study shows that China and Russia have different policies to contol the Central Asia. Russia has attempted to increase its influence in the region with the help of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), while China aims to do it with the help of the SCO. On the other hand, Turkey has increased its impact in the Central Asia policy and Turkey-SCO close relations will also play a significant role both in the SCO and Central Asia politics. It is also examined that the SCO policies are majorly driven by China. Thus, Chinese and Russian political and economic rivalry is concerned to deteriorate SCO functions.