Abstract
Abstract In the evolving landscape of global migration and diaspora politics, the intersection of national policies and international agreements plays a crucial role. This article explores the complex relationship between diaspora engagement strategies and bilateral agreements, using Türkiye as a primary case study both as a kin-state and a state of origin. While existing literature predominantly focuses on national-level diaspora strategies, this study investigates the broader role of bilateral agreements across diverse domains, including consular affairs, social protection, labor, education and cultural cooperation, as instruments shaping diaspora and emigrant governance. Through a systematic mapping and qualitative of analysis of Türkiye’s bilateral agreements from 1923 to 2023, with a particular focus on its relations with Western Balkan countries, the article demonstrates how such agreements have historically reflected Türkiye’s shifting conceptualizations of extraterritorial nationhood and membership.