Fifty years of adventure: Relations between Turkey and Iceland

• Published in: Belgi Dergisi
• Main Author: Başaran, Sinan
• Other Authors: RTEÜ, Fen - Edebiyat Fakültesi, Tarih Bölümü
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Pamukkale Üniversitesi 2021
• Subjects: Turkey; Iceland; Turkish foreign policy; Turkey-Iceland relations; Tyrkjaránið; Türkiye; İzlanda; Türk dış politikası; Türkiye-İzlanda ilişkiler; Türk baskını
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/11436/7667; https://doi.org/10.33431/belgi.777189

This study deals with Turkey-Iceland relations between 1930 and 1980. Relations between these two countries, which have completely different cultures and geographies, have always been limited because they have a long-distance between them, and Iceland is a small market. The contacts which began indirectly in the 1930s evolved into an agreement that resulted in abolishing visa requirements between these countries for three months in 1955. A few years after this agreement, diplomatic relations were established at the plenipotentiary level. Turkey's Embassy in Oslo and Iceland's Embassy in Copenhagen were accredited and started to fulfill this duty. Consulates opened in both countries in 1960. These did not make any contributions to the trade or tourism of either country. Almost no commercial activities have been carried out between these countries so far. As for political activities, Iceland has generally pursued an anti-Turkey policy. Iceland’s relations with third countries, the importance it attaches to universal values, and being an opposition to Turkey cause this situation. This opposition is understood to be the effect of the 1627 Event. In addition, it is seen that the classical European view that Turks are dictators and oppressors also prevails in Iceland. The news in the Icelandic press about Ottoman-Armenian relations, especially in the news about the events between the Iraqi Government and the Kurds in the 1960s and 1970s have ascribed the Republic of Turkey as a dictator, which supports this idea. Another reason for Turkish opposition is the importance Iceland attributes to the freedom of nations. All these events and considerations show that both countries, especially Turkey, should care about the relations and introduce itself more. In this context, it is obvious that it would be an important step for Turkey to open an embassy in Iceland in the first place, which it does not have a single embassy among NATO members. This is the first study conducted on Turkey-Iceland relations in the said period. ...