RRI.CO.ID, Depok - Turkish Professor at the Social Sciences University of Ankara, Prof. Yusuf Avci, explained that his country's historical evolution has shaped a unique approach to Southeast Asia that he described as "quasi-transregionalism". He sees that the approach drives Türkiye's robust diplomacy in various fields across Southeast Asia, including Indonesia.

He explained that Türkiye's current foreign policy approach is much different from the early days of the country's modern history, with its Western-leaning move -- despite attending the Asia-Africa Conference in Bandung, West Java, in 1955. However, after the Soviet Union came to an end in the early 1990s, he argued that globalization establishes a "contested, turbulent era" and made Turkish relations with the world more complex.

"It doesn't only include state-to-state relations, but much more than that; it's more layered, like semi-state institutions, private institutions, non-profit institutions, and even citizens," the Professor said in IIFA Discussion Series #9 at the Indonesian International Islamic University in Depok, West Java, on Wednesday, July 1, 2026.

Yusuf pointed to Turkish relations with Southeast Asia as a case in which Türkiye state develops formal relations with ASEAN and its members, such as Indonesia. However, at the same time, lots of non-state relations are made, such as a growing number of Turkish tourists visiting Bali and marriages between Turkish and Indonesian citizens.

"It's again very layered, very complex, and it's not very easy to understand. That's why we came up with this concept, quasi-transregionalism, to reflect this situation," he said.

This type of relationship, Yusuf argued, has had an impact across a range of areas, but is particularly evident in humanitarian assistance and education. Various Turkish government institutions and foundations, for example, provided aid in the aftermath of the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami, while also offering scholarships to Indonesian students to pursue higher education in Türkiye.

"And, of course, it provides many opportunities. For instance, thanks to international students (who) graduated from Türkiye, we have many companies doing business between Türkiye and Indonesia," he said.

Yusuf noted that one of the most significant outcomes of the quasi-transregional relationship between Indonesia and Türkiye is seen in the two countries' defense cooperation. He argued that educational exchanges have helped overcome the language barrier between the two sides.

"There is a growing partnership in the defense industry, and you don't have any problem about human capital because we now have lots of individuals who can speak Bahasa (Indonesian) and Turkish fluently, thanks to these education (opportunities)," he said.