Artush Mkrtchyan calls it cheese diplomacy. Others speak of informal, or “track-two,” diplomacy. By either name, it is all about building bridges between Turks and Armenians in the absence of formal, or “track-one,” diplomatic relations between their governments.

Turkey’s office of public diplomacy hosted leading figures from around the world on Saturday and Sunday, to partake in the first Istanbul World Forum (IWF)... The theme of the conference was justice and the aim was to explore the theme in various contexts including politics, fundamental rights and international law, the arts, media and religious traditions.

Greeks have been enthralled by Turkish TV series "The Magnificent Century" in recent months. The series is comprised of historical recreations of 16th-century Sultan Suleiman's life and slick soap opera-like tales of intrigue and family drama... Greek nationalists view the series as being a Turkish invasion of sorts, while others see opportunities for beneficial cultural exchange.

Leader of Tunisia's ruling Ennahda Party, Rachid Ghannouchi, has praised Turkey as "a soft power at the very heart of the Muslim world..." Ghannouchi said all revolutions of the Arab Spring can take Turkey as a guide in securing a harmonious balance between modernity and tradition.

Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan trumpeted Turkey's credentials as a rising democratic power on Sunday, saying his Islamist-rooted ruling party had become an example to the Muslim world after a decade in charge.

The Turkish International Co-operation and Development Agency (TIKA) has been conducting important restoration projects throughout the Balkan countries, which were under Ottoman rule from the 15th to the 19th century, to preserve cultural and historical heritage.

The Turkish International Co-operation and Development Agency (TIKA) has been conducting important restoration projects throughout the Balkan countries, which were under Ottoman rule from the 15th to the 19th century, to preserve cultural and historical heritage.

The "zero problems" policy was founded upon two main premises: that trade and economic development would push long-festering ideological and security conflicts aside, and that Turkey's historical and cultural legacy is a soft-power asset, not a liability.