Economic Diplomacy in Practice: DEİK’s Strategic Roadmap for Turkey–Germany Integration

The post-pandemic world left the rules of economics changed invariably. Resilience in a globalized world has to be reinvented, and so it was necessary for nations to build creative and cooperative partnerships across borders. And it is for this reason that DEiK’s strategic roadmap for Turkey-Germany feels all the more relevant, because it is not simply a business trade, but a strategic tool to show diplomacy can be reimagined through economics. This move becomes a blueprint on how complementarity, and not competitiveness, is the only way to ensure global influence. 

Going through the game plan, one thing that struck me the most was how the plan balanced the economic needs of one country with the strengths of the other. Germany faces shortage of labor, high production costs, and logistical issues on its way to global development, but at the same time has an ever-expansive reach into Europe’s high-tech and advanced manufacturing networks. Turkey, meanwhile, has a young and skilled workforce and a booming industrial capacity that could boost Germany’s economy, but is yet to position itself as a global player in Europe’s value chain. What's even more fascinating is that the roadmap doesn’t exist in isolation—it builds on cultural and economic ties that have already existed between the two nations for decades. Millions of Turks have settled in Germany, contributing over $500 billion to its economy; at the same time countless German tourists visit Turkey every year. Turkey’s cooperation with Germany is not just about securing short-term gains, but centering itself alongside major EU players for global influence. 

Perhaps this is why the roadmap does not limit itself to simply being a bilateral partnership, but imagines collaboration with Africa and other Turkic states. If Germany offers its financial and technical expertise and Turkey brings its regional know-how, this joint effort could open gateways to markets where neither of them could have succeeded alone. And isn’t this how diplomacy is meant to be in the 21st century?

Rarely have business deals ever targeted anything beyond economic gains. But the DEiK plan says otherwise. A core part of the strategy is to push for digital transformations and focus on using green energy. For Turkey, sustainability is a fundamental value in all aspects of this cooperation—economic, social, and environmental. From banking to aviation, every financial service offered, every flight shared, ties between Turkey and Germany are bound to germinate a fertile ground for how diplomatic collaborations are bound to look like in the future. 

Looking at the bigger picture, I think the more I look at institutions like DEiK, the more I realize how business councils and industry leaders can act as modern diplomatic actors. They are no longer supplementary to the government; in fact, they are now leading the discussions on climate cooperation, aviation, and economic growth. And Turkey’s diplomatic, non-political cooperation with Germany just goes on to show how soft power can be leveraged to strengthen diplomatic relationships but also to reshape economic identity—not as a regional actor, but a global player. 

Turkey’s unconventional approach to becoming a global influence is definitely an important study, but it also makes me wonder what’s next: scientific research partnerships? Tech collabs? Greater role in global forums? Whatever it may be, one thing’s certain—we are all excited to see what the future holds.

Reference: https://businessdiplomacy.net/on-the-brink-of-a-new-era-a-strategic-roadmap-for-germany-and-turkiye/?utm