Turkey as a player in regional cooperation with the countries involved in the stabilisation and association process

This article explores the role of Turkey as a regional cooperation player in the framework of the European integration process. The regional cooperation with candidate and potential candidate countries is one of obligations of the Western Balkans States, stemming from stabilisation and association agreements, and the cooperation is a political criterion to be fulfilled in order to accede to the European Union. Turkey is an important military, political and economic partner to the European Union, and, being inspired by the neo-ottomanism doctrine, it has played a significant role in the Western Balkans region. However, responsible political leaders of these countries should identify their own State and national interests and pursue bilateral cooperation according to the principles of equality and reciprocity