Survey: Support increases for cooperation with US although it is seen as the biggest threat

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Support for Turkey's cooperation with the US in foreign policy has increased despite it is seen as the "biggest threat" to the country, according to a survey by Kadir Has University.

The university's annual Research on Public Perceptions on Turkish Foreign Policy was conducted online with 1,000 people from 26 provinces between April 2-17.

Most important issues

When asked about the most important issue of the country's foreign policy, 20 percent of the participants replied, "trans-border terrorism," slightly more than last year's survey. However, the percentage of answers related to "terrorism" reaches 34 when the replies, "the presence of the Kurdistan Workers' Party / People's Protection Units (PKK/YPG) in Syria" and "PKK presence in Iraq" are added.

Fifteen percent of the participants replied to the question, "international migration" and 18.3 percent replied, "the civil war in Syria." The main source of the migration is perceived to be Syria, the report noted.

The most common answers to the question about the three most important foreign policy issues in the next 10 years were "trans-border terrorism," "the civil war in Syria" and "a global economic/financial crisis."

Is Turkey an Islamic or a European country?

When asked about a fixed alternative question on how they define Turkey, 27.4 of the participants said, "a country with unique characteristics," 22.4 percent said "an Islamic country," 21.5 percent said, "a European country," 16.1 percent said, "a Middle Eastern country," and 7.6 percent said, "a Mediterranean country."

President is the most influential person in foreign policy

According to 62.3 percent of the participants, the Presidency is the most influential institution in foreign policy. It was followed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with 47.3 percent.

As for persons, the President is perceived as the most influential figure with 69 percent.

Azerbaijan is the closest friends, US and Israel are the biggest threats

When asked about what country is the closest friend of Turkey, 65.3 percent said it was Azerbaijan, similar to the year.

The biggest threats are, just as last year, the US and Israel, according to the survey. However, the percentage of those replied "the US" dropped to 70 from 81.3 last year.

Also, 31.5 percent of the participants define the US as an "unreliable country."

The most important issues between Ankara and Washington are "the US' support for the PYD in Syria," (34 percent) and "the Middle East policies of the US" (27.2 percent), says the survey.

Those who said Turkey should cooperate with the US in foreign policy increased from 8.4 percent to 27.7 percent.

Should Turkey leave NATO?

Among the participants, 55.2 percent said Turkey's membership to NATO should continue whereas the percentage of those who said the membership contributed to Turkey dropped from 50.3 from last year to 40.2.

Support for EU membership

The participants supporting Turkey's membership to the EU dropped from 61.1 percent to 53 percent. Among the supporters of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), it was 47 percent whereas 69 percent of the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) voters supported the EU membership.

The support among the voters of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), an ally of the AKP, dropped from 60.2 percent to 37.5 percent.

48.2 percent of the participants said Turkey's membership to the EU was prevented due to the differences in "religion and identity."

Should Turkey annex northern Cyprus?

Similar to the last year, 55 percent of the participants said the most important problem between Turkey and Greece was the disagreement on Cyprus.

On how the problem could be solved, 39.5 percent said by Turkey's annexation of northern Cyprus and 29.1 percent said by the establishment of two independent states.

Is Russia a partner?

When asked, "How do you define the relationship between Turkey and Russia?" 37 percent of the participants said "strategic partnership," "close cooperation," or "cooperation." The total percentage of these three answers was 55.8 in last year's survey.

Are Turkey's Middle East policies successful?

The percentage of those who think Turkey's Middle East policies are successful increased from 22.5 percent to 33.9 percent this year. Furthermore, 31.7 percent said it was "definitely successful."

According to 40.7 percent of the participants, the country's Middle East policies are not successful. (SO/VK)