Macedonia–Turkey relations
Encyclopedia
Macedonian–Turkish relations are foreign relations between Macedonia and Turkey
.
and a consulate–general in Istanbul
, while Turkey has an embassy in Skopje
and a consulate-general in Bitola
. Also, Turkish is a co-official language in two municipalities, besides of Macedonian.
candidate countries and share the common goal of accession to it. Turkey is a strong supporter of Macedonia's accession to the NATO, of which Turkey is a member country since 1952.
.
On 22 April 2009 in Istanbul, the ministers of culture of both countries signed a new program for cooperation in the sphere of culture for the period between 2009 and 2011. According to the program both sides shall intensify the cooperation in different segments of culture and art. Additionally, the countries shall promote each others culture and open Cultural Information Centres - Macedonia in Istanbul and Turkey in Skopje. On that occasion, the Macedonian minister also announced that the Macedonian government decided to renew the house of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk's
parents, located in the village of Kodžadžik
near Debar
. The Turkish authorities allowed Macedonian archaeologists to make a copy of the Alexander Sarcophagus
that afterwards will be displayed in a Macedonian museum.
There is also active cooperation in music, with reciprocal participation of artists on cultural events and performances of folklore ensembles. Also, the popular Turkish TV series Elveda Rumeli (Farewell Rumelia) is filmed in the Macedonian city Bitola
.
Turkey and Macedonia also have good economic relations. There are several Turkish companies present in Macedonia, notably TAV and Sisecam.
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
.
History
Due to historical and cultural mutualities and human bonds Macedonia and Turkey have very close and friendly relations. Shortly after Macedonia declared its independence from the former Yugoslavia in 1991 Turkey recognized Macedonia's sovereignty as one of the first countries and also recognizes the latter under its constitutional name Republic of Macedonia, which is recognized by 130 countries worldwide. Bilateral relations where established on 26 August 1992. Macedonia has an embassy in AnkaraAnkara
Ankara is the capital of Turkey and the country's second largest city after Istanbul. The city has a mean elevation of , and as of 2010 the metropolitan area in the entire Ankara Province had a population of 4.4 million....
and a consulate–general in Istanbul
Istanbul
Istanbul , historically known as Byzantium and Constantinople , is the largest city of Turkey. Istanbul metropolitan province had 13.26 million people living in it as of December, 2010, which is 18% of Turkey's population and the 3rd largest metropolitan area in Europe after London and...
, while Turkey has an embassy in Skopje
Skopje
Skopje is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Macedonia with about a third of the total population. It is the country's political, cultural, economic, and academic centre...
and a consulate-general in Bitola
Bitola
Bitola is a city in the southwestern part of the Republic of Macedonia. The city is an administrative, cultural, industrial, commercial, and educational centre. It is located in the southern part of the Pelagonia valley, surrounded by the Baba and Nidže mountains, 14 km north of the...
. Also, Turkish is a co-official language in two municipalities, besides of Macedonian.
Euro-atlantic aspirations
Both countries are European UnionEuropean Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
candidate countries and share the common goal of accession to it. Turkey is a strong supporter of Macedonia's accession to the NATO, of which Turkey is a member country since 1952.
Macedonian citizens of Turkish origin
There is a 77,959 people strong Turkish minority in Macedonia, which makes up 3.85% of the total population of the country. The Turks of Macedonia serve as a bridge between the two nations. They also have a political party in Macedonia, the Democratic Party of TurksDemocratic Party of Turks
The Democratic Party of Turks is a political party of the Turkish minority in the Republic of Macedonia.The Party currently has one member, Kenan Hasipi, in the Macedonian parliament.-External links:*...
.
Cooperation in culture
Macedonia's and Turkey's cooperation in culture dates back to 1995, when it was regulated with an international agreement. Both ministries of culture are constantly expanding this cooperation with several programs. The last program was valid between 2004 and 2007.On 22 April 2009 in Istanbul, the ministers of culture of both countries signed a new program for cooperation in the sphere of culture for the period between 2009 and 2011. According to the program both sides shall intensify the cooperation in different segments of culture and art. Additionally, the countries shall promote each others culture and open Cultural Information Centres - Macedonia in Istanbul and Turkey in Skopje. On that occasion, the Macedonian minister also announced that the Macedonian government decided to renew the house of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk's
Mustafa Kemal Atatürk
Mustafa Kemal Atatürk was an Ottoman and Turkish army officer, revolutionary statesman, writer, and the first President of Turkey. He is credited with being the founder of the Republic of Turkey....
parents, located in the village of Kodžadžik
Kodžadžik
Kodžadžik is a village in the Republic of Macedonia. It is located in the western part of the country in the Centar Župa Municipality.According to historians, the village was mentioned for the first time in 1385 and the name of the village means "Great Battle". It was known "Svetigrad" before...
near Debar
Debar
Debar is a city in the western part of the Republic of Macedonia, near the border with Albania, on the road from Struga to Gostivar. It is the seat of Debar Municipality.-Geography:...
. The Turkish authorities allowed Macedonian archaeologists to make a copy of the Alexander Sarcophagus
Alexander Sarcophagus
The Alexander Sarcophagus is a late 4th century BC stone sarcophagus adorned with bas-relief carvings of Alexander the Great. The work is remarkably well preserved and has been celebrated for its high aesthetic achievement...
that afterwards will be displayed in a Macedonian museum.
There is also active cooperation in music, with reciprocal participation of artists on cultural events and performances of folklore ensembles. Also, the popular Turkish TV series Elveda Rumeli (Farewell Rumelia) is filmed in the Macedonian city Bitola
Bitola
Bitola is a city in the southwestern part of the Republic of Macedonia. The city is an administrative, cultural, industrial, commercial, and educational centre. It is located in the southern part of the Pelagonia valley, surrounded by the Baba and Nidže mountains, 14 km north of the...
.
Turkey and Macedonia also have good economic relations. There are several Turkish companies present in Macedonia, notably TAV and Sisecam.
See also
- Foreign relations of MacedoniaForeign relations of the Republic of Macedonia-Key priorities:Key priorities in the foreign relations are:* Promotion of the Republic of Macedonia as a NATO candidate country, active participation within the established institutional framework – Partnership for Peace, EAPC, implementation of the NATO Membership Action Plan – aiming at creating...
- Foreign relations of TurkeyForeign relations of TurkeyForeign relations of the Republic of Turkey are the Turkish government's policies in its external relations with the international community...
- Accession of Macedonia to the European UnionAccession of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia to the European UnionThe Republic of Macedonia has been a candidate for accession to the European Union since 2005. It submitted its membership application in 2004, thirteen years after its independence from former Yugoslavia...
- Accession of Turkey to the European UnionAccession of Turkey to the European UnionTurkey's application to accede to the European Union was made on 14 April 1987. Turkey has been an associate member of the European Union and its predecessors since 1963...
- Turks in MacedoniaTurks in the Republic of MacedoniaTurks in the Republic of Macedonia, also known as Macedonian Turks, are the ethnic Turks who constitute the third largest ethnic group in the Republic of Macedonia. According to the 2002 census, there were 77,959 Turks living in the country, forming a minority of some 4% of the population. The...