When bilateral relations strain, do local level relations remain?

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2019-03-11

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en

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In this study I researched how a worsened state of diplomatic relations between the Netherlands and Turkey led to a termination of some transnational local Dutch-Turkish relationships while other transnational local Dutch-Turkish relationships have remained unaffected. The town twinning in phases model provided the theoretical framework to conduct this research. By interviewing nine involved actors of four different transnational local Dutch-Turkish relationships (Almelo-Denizli, Amsterdam-Şişli, Haarlem-Emirdağ and Nijmegen-Gaziantep) about topics regarding the organizational structure, experiences, cultural exchange, exchange of ideas, financial exchange and influence of the national level. I aimed to get an answer to the main research question. This study found that, under the circumstances of deterred diplomatic relations between Turkey and the Netherlands, the termination of a local transnational relationship is not determined by the phase the local level relationship is in, but on the will of the municipal executives to back national governments stances. Regarding future research, this study suggests to include actors on the Turkish side to gain an even more extended understanding of the situation regarding the selective termination of transnational local Dutch-Turkish relationships.

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Faculteit der Managementwetenschappen