Myanmar–Turkey relations explained

Myanmar–Turkey relations are the foreign relations between Myanmar and Turkey. Turkey has an embassy in Naypyidaw and Myanmar's ambassador in Cairo, Egypt is also accredited to Turkey.^[1]

Diplomatic relations

Relations were tense between Myanmar and Turkey because of Turkey's support for the Kuomintang in Taiwan.^[2] Burma had hostile relations with Taiwan and intercepted a cargo plane from Taiwan bringing Turkish and American supplies to the Kuomintang. This caused a new diplomatic crisis between Turkey and Burma. Relations improved afterward and were amicable.

Relations became very tense^[3] in 1988 after Tatmadaw’s very violent crackdown^[4] on peaceful civilian demonstrators. Aung San Suu Kyi gained admiration and sympathy in Turkey during as a result of Tatmadaw’s actions.^[5] Turkey subsequently suspended^[6] its aid programs except for humanitarian aid.^[7] Turkey was very critical of Aung San Suu Kyi's house arrest and collaborated with United States Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, who took a personal interest in her wellbeing.

Economic relations

• Trade volume between the two countries was 38.7 million USD in 2018 (Turkish exports/imports: 30.7/8 million USD).^[8]

See also

• Foreign relations of Myanmar
• Foreign relations of Turkey

Further reading

• “Minorities in Burmese History.” In Ethnic Conflict in Buddhist Societies. Edited by K. M. de Silva et al. London: Pinter Publishers, 1988.
• “Myanmar in 1989: Tatmadaw V.” Asian Survey 30, no. 2 (February 1990): pp. 187–95.
• “Myanmar in 1990: The Unconsummated Election.” Asian Survey 31, no. 2 (February 1991): pp. 205–11.
• Cady, John F. The United States and Burma. The American Foreign Policy Library. Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press, 1976.
• Gravers, Mikael. Nationalism as Political Paranoia in Burma. An Essay on the Historical Practice of Power. 2nd rev. ed. London: NIAS-Curzon, 1998.
• Guyot, James. “Burma.” In Rethinking Political Development in Southeast Asia. Edited by Norma Mahmood. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: University of Malaya Press, 1994.
• Hall, D. G. E. Burma. London: Hutchinson University Library, 1960. Renard, Ronald D. “For the Fair Name of Myanmar: They Are Being Blotted out of Burma's History.” In Burma: Myanmar in the Twenty-First Century— Dynamics of Continuity and Change. Edited by John J. Brandon. Bangkok: Thai Studies Section, Chulalongkorn University, 1997.
• Seekins, Donald M. The Disorder in Order: The Army-State in Burma Since 1962. Bangkok: White Lotus, 2002.
• Taylor, Robert H. The State in Burma. Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press, 1987.
• Tinker, Hugh. The Union of Burma. London: Oxford University Press, 1959.
• Trager, Frank N. Burma: From Kingdom to Republic. New York: Frederick A. Praeger, 1966.

Notes and References

1. Web site: Relations between Turkey and Myanmar. Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkey.
2. Cady, John F. The United States and Burma. The American Foreign Policy Library. Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press, 1976.
3. Renard, Ronald D. “For the Fair Name of Myanmar: They Are Being Blotted out of Burma's History.” In Burma: Myanmar in the Twenty-First Century— Dynamics of Continuity and Change. Edited by John J. Brandon. Bangkok: Thai Studies Section, Chulalongkorn University, 1997.
4. Gravers, Mikael. Nationalism as Political Paranoia in Burma. An Essay on the Historical Practice of Power. 2nd rev. ed. London: NIAS-Curzon, 1998.
5. “Myanmar in 1989: Tatmadaw V.” Asian Survey 30, no. 2 (February 1990): pp. 187–95.
6. Seekins, Donald M. The Disorder in Order: The Army-State in Burma Since 1962. Bangkok: White Lotus, 2002.
7. “Myanmar in 1990: The Unconsummated Election.” Asian Survey 31, no. 2 (February 1991): pp. 205–11.
8. Web site: Turkey-Myanmar Bilateral Economic and Commercial Relations. Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkey.