The return of Turkey to the Western Balkans: a challenge or an opportunity for the European Union ?

In the new Turkish doctrine, besides the great interests in Central Asia, Middle East, Africa and the Caucasus, the Balkans are also important. Turkey is making great efforts to play a greater role on the international scene and creates its area of interest, especially where the links of Ottoman legacy can help. Although it is defined as a peaceful power in the region, some describe it as neo-ottoman, a term rejected by the Turkish authorities because of its possible imperialist connotation.
This paper aims precisely to study the return of Turkey to the Balkans. Our central question is: what is the purpose of the Turkish foreign policy in the Western Balkans? Related issues will be addressed such as: is there a competition between Turkey and the European Union in this area? What are the specifics of Turkish foreign policy? In order to explore these research questions, this study focuses on the concept of soft power through which Turkey extends its power. Indeed, the Turkish government imposes itself on the Balkans not by force but with the help of economics, diplomacy, trade, culture and religion. Following the crisis in the EU, causing the collapse of Western investment and a relative decrease of attraction for the Balkans, Turkey has taken advantage of the situation in order to increase its influence in all areas.
This contribution will proceed in three stages. Firstly, we will make an analysis of the authors of soft power to think about the character of the new Turkish geopolitical doctrine. Secondly, we are going to apply this theoretical framework to the case study identified, namely the influence of Turkey in the Western Balkan countries. Finally, we will show if exists a competition or a cooperation between Turkey and European Union in the Western Balkans.