From the midst of the fiftenth century on the Otoman-Turkish Empire played a crucial role in shaping European history. This factor has not ben weaved into Western historiography to its detriment, because explaining concepts such as raison d'etat, realpolitik, balance of power or even European identity remain somewhat shortchanged without acording the Otoman-Turkish Empire a role in the evolution as wel as functioning of these concepts. Mutual systemic influences are a foregone conclusion however overloked. This volume comprises nine research articles on the basic characteristics of the Otoman Empire and its political/economic relations with Europe, published previously, but updated with further evidence. The Otoman Empire is generaly depicted and perceived as the adversary and anti¬thesis of Europe and Europeanes in Western historiography because of certain historic reasons such as the Christian crusading tradition, public hostility due to long lasting warfare, cultural estrangement and perhaps because the Otomans remained outside the Enlightenment proces. However, there is much more to it than confrontation. Our research findings presented in this compilation point to the impact of the Otoman-Turkish Empire in shaping modern Europe, specificaly as of the 16th century and socio-cultural exchanges betwen the two realms through five hundred years of encounter.