The Turkish International Cooperation and Development Agency (TİKA) undertakes aid projects throughout the world. TİKA has contributed greatly to the country's efforts to help the needy, an old tradition dating back to Ottoman Empire era. Investing in the development of other countries helps Turkey improve its relations with the rest of the world. As part of these efforts, Turkey gives financial aid to other countries to support their growth and progress and help them find solutions to their problems. These projects contribute to Turkey's efforts to bring peace and prosperity to regions that suffer from long-lasting political clashes.
The Turkish government keeps in touch with the countries it gives assistance to through their public bodies, universities and civil society organizations. TIKA carries out projects in a number of countries: according to official 2005 data, TIKA had implemented a total of 562 projects across Asia and the Caucuses, 205 across Eastern Europe and the Balkans, 28 in North Africa and 17 in the Middle East.

TİKA was initially formed in 1992 to provide assistance to developing countries where Turkish is spoken and countries that border Turkey. Later the government set its sights on Africa and the Middle East, and TİKA initiated projects in these regions.

Turkey began giving monetary aid to developing countries in the early 1990s, but increased its contributions over time. The number of countries receiving aid from Turkey was 72 in 2004 and increased to 131 in 2007. Turkey offered assistance more countries in the past few years due to a number of natural disasters that occurred throughout the world. Earthquake and tsunami disasters in South Asia between 2004 and 2006 caused Turkey to focus on emergency humanitarian aid. The government has followed a systematic and well-planned strategy since then; in 2007 the government increased its technical assistance projects, helping re-establish the infrastructure of disaster-stricken countries.

Turkish civil society organizations have also contributed greatly to foreign aid. Last year the private sector gave a total of 445.6 million in aid in the international arena.

Turkey currently has 23 members in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and has observer status in the Development Assistance Committee (DAC). Turkey also contributed to peace efforts in Afghanistan, Georgia, Iraq, Lebanon and Palestine last year.

Turkey's aid grants totaled $1.34 billion in 2007 and $5.2 billion over the last four years. In 2007 the largest share went to Afghanistan with $69.5 million. Kyrgyzstan followed with $43 million while Azerbaijan got $33.5 million of aid from the Turkish government.

All in all, the Turkish government aims to create a climate conducive to peace and cooperation by implementing economic, commercial, technical, social, cultural and educational projects that embrace all segments of society in the countries it helps, carrying the values and elements of cultural geography to universal dimensions.

Todayszaman