“GEGHARD”
SCIENTIFIC ANALYTICAL
FOUNDATION
2025
2025
After the collapse of the Soviet Union, one of Turkey's foreign policy priorities was to increase its influence in the post-Soviet states. The focus was on Turkic-speaking countries and, as well as regions in countries inhabited by Muslim populations. Turkey’s policy towards Georgia manifested particularly in Adjara, where more than 30% of the population is Muslim. In Adjara, Turkey employs one of its key tools for extending influence: soft power. This is reflected through investments, religious propaganda, and political engagement, grounding its policy on historically established cultural ties with Turkey (Adjara was part of the Ottoman Empire, during which many local inhabitants converted to Islam).
Currently, Turkey and Georgia maintain deep economic relations. According to data from Georgia’s Statistical Institute (Geostat), the trade volume between Turkey and Georgia reached $1.589 billion in 2017, with exports to Georgia amounting to $1.372 billion. In 2017, Turkey retained its position as Georgia's top trading partner, accounting for 17% of Georgia’s total trade. Trade turnover between the two countries reached nearly $3 billion last year, with plans to increase it to $5 billion in the future. In Adjara, Turkish investments constitute about 80-90% of foreign capital, with a particularly significant presence in Batumi.
Turkish religious institutions also play a significant role in the region. Initiatives providing religious support strengthen Turkey’s ties with Adjara’s Muslim population. The Presidency of Religious Affairs (Diyanet) is particularly active in this area. With funding from this and other organizations, mosques and other religious buildings are built, and an increasing number of Adjara residents are participating in educational programs organized by these institutions. However, it is important to note that Turkish-funded school and mosque construction projects raise concerns among Georgians, as they are perceived as an imposition of Turkish influence.
Tensions arose on this issue when Batumi’s Muslim population raised the demand for a second mosque, arguing that the city’s only functioning mosque, Orta Camii, could no longer accommodate the growing number of worshippers. However, local authorities have been postponing this process as much as possible. In this context, the remarks of former Georgian Parliament member Hamlet Chipashvili are noteworthy, as he stated that economically and culturally Adjara is under Turkish, rather than Georgia’s control.
Turkish educational institutions are also actively operating in Adjara, implementing student exchange programs and providing scholarships. In Batumi, there are several institutions supported by Turkey’s Ministry of Education, including the multi-program Anatolian High School of Batumi, the Maarif Foundation school, and others.
Interesting developments have taken place in Georgia regarding “Gülenist schools.” In 2017, the National Center for Educational Quality Enhancement, an agency under Georgia's Ministry of Education, decided to close the Batumi Friendship school named after Refaiddin Şahin, which was funded by the Çaglar Educational Institutions network. This network is linked to Fethullah Gülen, whom Erdogan and his administration accused of attempting to organize the 2016 coup in Turkey. Critics of the school’s closure described the move as politically motivated, considering it a result of pressure from Turkey on the Georgian authorities. Nevertheless, it is important to note that despite the ongoing disputes between the current Turkish government and the Gülenists, their ultimate goal remains the same: to expand Turkish influence through education.
Turkey’s political stance toward Adjara also raises concerns in Georgia. For instance, in October 2016, during a speech in Rize, Erdogan stated that Turkey is not limited to the territory of the Republic of Turkey. He remarked that the physical borders differ from those in their hearts and rhetorically asked whether it is possible to separate Rize from Batumi. This statement was met with concern in Georgia. The backlash was so strong that Turkey’s ambassador to Georgia, Levent Gumrukçu, had to issue clarifications, stating that there had been a “misunderstanding” regarding Erdogan’s speech in Rize.
Thus, although Turkey and Georgia maintain strong economic and strategic ties, the situation in Adjara remains sensitive. This is due to the growing Turkish economic and cultural influence in the region, coupled with Georgian concerns.