The role of humanitarian diplomacy in turkish foreign policy: The example of the Black Sea grain corridor agreement

Although diplomatic activities date back to BC in terms of history, the beginning of diplomacy in general is based on the order established by the Treaty of Westphalia signed in 1648, when nation states emerged. In this period, as a type of diplomacy, there were traditional diplomacy activities aimed at protecting the interests and interests of states in general, and this situation continued until the establishment of the United Nations. The devastating and dramatic consequences of the Second World War have changed both international relations and diplomacy. As a result of these developments, public diplomacy, which is a type of diplomacy in which non-governmental organizations, international organizations and individuals participate, has started to be used rather than the traditional understanding of diplomacy. Humanitarian diplomacy, on the other hand, as a subtype of public diplomacy, is a type of diplomacy that includes humanitarian activities for international cooperation in order to protect human life and dignity in the face of all kinds of human-oriented problems. Humanitarian diplomacy activities have recently become one of the impressive methods preferred by states within the framework of the international system. Wars throughout history have caused economic damage for states as well as human tragedies and disasters. The Russia-Ukraine war, which started on February 24, 2022 and still continues, has negatively affected both these countries and the whole world. The main of these effects was food supply and security. Due to Russia's obstacle to the shipment of grain ready for export in Ukrainian ports, grain exports from Ukraine to various countries of the world have been blocked. This situation has caused a high rate of inflation in world grain prices and a global food supply and security problem. In order to solve this problem, on July 22, 2022, Russia, Ukraine, Turkey and the UN signed the "Initiative for the Safe Shipment of Grain and Foodstuffs from Ukrainian Ports". In the last quarter century, Turkey has become more involved in wars, crises and problems in international relations. As a reflection of this situation, it has been to carry out diplomacy activities that prioritize human values in foreign policy making. Turkey's contribution to the changing and transforming diplomacy factor of this agreement in the form of humanitarian diplomacy has been examined.