The effects of Syrians on Türkiye about EU-Türkiye diplomatic relations

The main purpose of the study is to examine whether Syrians who came to Türkiye after the Syrian Civil War had an impact on Türkiye - EU diplomatic relations, and if so, in what direction these effects were. In this context, literature review was conducted, reports were used and case analysis method was used. In order to examine the effects of Syrians coming to Türkiye on Türkiye - EU diplomatic relations, Türkiye - EU relations after 2011, when the Syrian Civil War started, were compared with Türkiye - EU relations before 2011. As a result of the research, it was concluded that Syrians coming to Türkiye are seen as a demographic force and in this respect they affect the diplomatic relations between Türkiye and the EU. This impact emerges in line with the evaluation of Syrians in Turkey by the EU and Turkey in terms of their interests and realpolitik. To make it clearer, a case study was conducted and the attitudes of the parties on issues such as the Readmission Agreement and visa liberalization were examined. Both Türkiye and the EU side used Syrians in Türkiye as a bargaining tool on issues such as visa liberalization and acceleration of accession negotiations, which emerged during Türkiye's EU accession process, and the EU side tried to force Syrians to stay in Türkiye in order to protect its own economic and demographic structure. He offered to make some concessions to Türkiye. Türkiye, on the other hand, tried to gain an advantage against the EU by evaluating this situation within the framework of its own national interests and realpolitik. As a result, it has been revealed that Syrians in Türkiye have a decisive impact on Türkiye - EU diplomatic relations.