Central Asian countries and Turkey's economic integration for a SWOT analysis

This study mainly based on the Economic Integration Theory. Very basic assumption in this paper can be defined like that: Economic cooperation and convergence which had been accelerated by the middle of the 20th century, the similarity of geographical, cultural and historical features of the countries brought about mainly regional integration which had taken place among these countries. It can be easily determined that, developed countries tried to protect themselves from increasing competetion, developing countries tried to accelerate their integration with the rest of the world and third world countries for feeling themselves secure in their region had applied to the regional integrations, and this reality is undeniable with the number of examples in the world history. Generally, the countries which share the certain geography and have close language, religion and culture, all these factors contribute much to the joint power and when combining with the maximizing economic interests, it derive natural conclusion which leads to the regional economic integration.In this paper, the possibility of the economic integration between Turkey and the Central Asia geography which based on the mutual language, religion and culture among the countries (Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistand and Turkmenistan) and also sharing the same values with Turkey, a country can be defined as a strong bridge from these countries to the developed western world, has been studied with the SWOT analysis. First of all, economic integration concept and theory have been explained, and on the subsequent section European Union which had taken place among European countries has been analysed from the standpoint of economic integration as an important sample. Afterwards in one section the regional economic integration attempts in the Central Asia have been analyzed, and on the subsequent section there will be SWOT analysis applications between Turkey and Central Asia from the standpoint of economic integration. Analysis is not only carried out on the country basis, but also general assessment is done on the formation of an economic integration because of the results. On this study main finding or conclusion is that: the countries which have been assessed within the scope of this study possess more strenght and opportunities, which exceeds possible threats and weaknesses.