The Italian Center for Turkish Studies

Knowledge, Culture, Scientific Cooperation, and Strategic Relations

 

Turkey’s geopolitical, strategic, and cultural importance is rising. After the end of the Cold War, Ankara’s weight in political and economic affairs has augmented as its role has extended well beyond its geographic boundaries. Turkey is recognized by Western powers, Middle Eastern states, and former Soviet states as a necessary stabilizer in the broad area where the Euro-Atlantic security community meets the Eurasian world and the Middle East. Its function is that of a bridge that can make the Eurasian geopolitical system function better, since it connects its main parts on the political-strategic, cultural, and economic levels. A bridge which all international actors - and EU in particular - cannot afford to understimate or ignore.

The bilateral relations between Italy and Turkey thus take a new dimension in the new international context. The two countries have been rivals and then allies in the Mediterranean region for a long time. Rome has always been among the strongest supporters of Ankara’s EU integration bid. Moreover, Italy aims at becoming Turkey’s main European economic partner.This notwithstanding, knowledge of Turkey’s politics, culture, and society in Italy is still lackadaisical. Universities have formed only few real specialists until today. Ideological and political biases are still present, fostering superficial analysis of ongoing events and discouraging further studies.

The creation of the Italian Centre for Turkish Studies (ICTS) is an effective tool to support scientific cooperation, research, and the spread of solid knowledge about Turkish political affairs and society. ICTS is a unique think-tank that can rely upon an extended network of Italian, Turkish, and international scholars, analysts, diplomats, and other personalities with a proven record of academic and political activities regarding Turkey. ICTS activities are geared toward academicians, journalists, entrepreneurs, and decision-makers who want to understand Turkey’s complex political and social aspects.