Türkiye's public diplomacy in Azerbaijan: The case of TIKA

The Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) stands out as one of Turkey's foreign policy and public diplomacy tools. The activities it carries out in Azerbaijan in particular serve the purpose of strengthening the historical and cultural ties between the two countries. TIKA's duties in Azerbaijan include a wide range of projects and collaborations in various fields. TIKA undertakes important projects in the field of education in Azerbaijan. TIKA also plays an active role in the protection and restoration of cultural heritage in Azerbaijan. Activities such as the restoration of historical artifacts, support for cultural events and promotion of cultural heritage serve the purpose of preserving the cultural wealth of Azerbaijan and passing it on to future generations. For example, the restoration of the Sheki Khan Palace carried out by TIKA has contributed to the preservation of one of Azerbaijan's important historical structures and its promotion in the international arena. This study aims to examine the activities of the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) in Azerbaijan in a multidimensional manner within the framework of Turkey's public diplomacy strategies. Public diplomacy is defined as the totality of activities carried out by states and other actors to influence foreign public opinion in order to support their foreign policies and create a positive image in the international arena. In this context, TIKA's projects and activities in Azerbaijan are considered as a strategic tool to increase Turkey's cultural, economic and political influence, strengthen relations between the two countries and strengthen Turkey's place in the international arena.