The Significance of the Black Sea Straits in Turkey's Regional and International Politics (Considering the Montreux Convention)

Abstract

Turkey has always paid great importance to the Black Sea Straits. Even before its establishment as a republic, the country sought to gain sovereignty over these straits, which it largely achieved with the Treaty of Lausanne. Turkey particularly strengthened its position regarding the Black Sea Straits with the Montreux Convention, the core provisions of which remain in effect today. The Soviet Union found Turkey's strengthened control over the straits unacceptable and attempted to revise the Montreux Convention. However, Turkey successfully preserved its achievements. Even after the Cold War, the Black Sea Straits, which the Turkish government refers to as the "Turkish Straits," largely remained under Turkey's influence, despite an increase in the number of Black Sea littoral states following the dissolution of the Soviet Union.

Turkey's influence over the Black Sea Straits was evident during the 2008 Russia-Georgia war when it denied the U.S. permission for vessels exceeding the tonnage limits set by the Montreux Convention to enter the Black Sea. In the context of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, Turkey continues to maintain its strong position over the straits, underscoring their critical importance to the country.

Turkey emphasizes the necessity of upholding the Montreux Convention for both Black Sea littoral states and non-Black Sea countries alike. It's also worth noting that the Turkish government actively seeks to establish "Turkish Straits" as the official designation for the Bosphorus and Dardanelles, further highlighting their immense significance in Turkey's regional and international policy.