Shanghai Cooperation Organization and Turkey relations within the framework of the theory of economic integration

The aim of this study is to examine Shanghai Cooperation Organization within the context of economic integration theories and investigation of pursuits for an alternative cooperation out of the European Union. The search has been done for if Shanghai Cooperation Organization is a best choice. Focus is on answer of the problem of Shanghai Cooperation Organization would replace for European Union? In the first section of the study, economic integration and theories have been explained after that it is allowed for some economic integration examples. For the third part, the background of Shanghai Cooperation Organization is presented from past to today. In latter section which is forth, the relationship between Shanghai Cooperation Organization and Turkey has been investigated. In fifth, similarity analysis is performed by using hierarchical clustering method between Shanghai Cooperation -Turkey and EU-Turkey. For last part of study, according to the results of analysis which was done by using domestic economic data, Turkey has taken part in same cluster with countries of Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Iran, Sri Lanka among Shanghai Cooperation Organization participants. The EU side, our country is together with the members of UK, France, Spain, Italy, Finland and Greece. In reference to foreign trade data, results show that Turkey is aligned to Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Sri Lanka and India in Shanghai Cooperation Organization. Romania, Portugal, Finland, Sweden, Austria, Poland, Denmark and Spain are the EU countries which Turkey is in same cluster. As the result of data received, for Shanghai Cooperation Organization, it is seen that there are no any barriers to membership and Turkey has placed in same cluster with founder countries. Identically, in accordance with studied analysis, there are evidences which Turkey has similar characteristics with EU members. In consequences of analysis, it is inferred that Turkey has a similar economy with members. Thus, it is also referred that there are no any barriers for both membership with respect to economic context.