Türkiye was the first country to establish diplomatic relations with the Turkic Republics and to open an embassy in 1991. Culture, language, religion and social affinity and ties from the past between Türkiye and the Turkic Republics have been important factors in the shaping and development of relations between these states. Türkiye was the first country to recognize the independence of Azerbaijan on November 9th 1991. Similarly, when Kazakhstan declared its independence on December 16th 1991, Türkiye was the first country to recognize it.
