The impact of Turkey's cultural diplomacy practices on strengthening regional cooperation: The case of the Organization of Turkic States

This thesis aims to examine the contributions of Türkiye's cultural diplomacy strategies to the enhancement of regional cooperation within the framework of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) through a multidimensional perspective. Cultural diplomacy, while recognized as a soft power element in contemporary international relations, also serves as a crucial foreign policy instrument that fosters sustainable and long-term interactions among states. Türkiye's cultural diplomacy efforts under the umbrella of the OTS are rooted in shared historical ties, cultural heritage, and linguistic affinity. These efforts have been operationalized through institutional structures such as TURKSOY, the Turkic Academy, and the Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation. The study adopts qualitative research methods, including literature review and document analysis, focusing on institutional reports, official statements, and media content. The findings reveal that Türkiye's cultural diplomacy initiatives not only produce symbolic cooperation but also generate tangible impacts in terms of mutual trust-building, social cohesion, and political coordination among member states. Cultural diplomacy especially through educational programs, cultural heritage preservation, joint media productions, and youth-centered projects has significantly contributed to strengthening institutional bonds and laying the groundwork for long-term strategic partnerships among the OTS members. This thesis examines how cultural diplomacy goes beyond mere cultural exchange to become an effective foreign policy tool in regional integration processes, using the example of the Organization of Turkic States, and aims to make an original contribution to the relevant literature.