Foreign Minister Fidan: A new era has begun in Syria, now it is necessary to focus on the future
Foreign Minister Fidan: A new era has begun in Syria, now it is necessary to focus on the future
Noting that a new era has begun in Syria, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said: "Turkey, which extended a hand to its Syrian brothers in difficult days, will be with them on a new page opened in Damascus."
Fidan took part in the 15th annual Summit, held at a hotel in Ankara. He spoke at the opening of the Ambassadors' conference.
Stating that yesterday's events in Syria are a beacon of hope, Fidan said, "We expect international players, especially the United Nations, to reach out to the Syrian people and support the establishment of an inclusive administration."
Fidan stressed that from the very beginning it was stated that peace and stability with a permanent solution in Syria can only be achieved through national reconciliation.
Recalling that despite all efforts and opportunities, the Assad regime has not reconciled with its people, Fidan said: "A new era has begun in Syria, now it is necessary to focus on the future."
Minister Fidan said: "In the next period, we want to see a Syria where different ethnic and religious groups live in peace and an inclusive understanding of governance. We want to see a new Syria that will have good relations with its neighbors and add peace and stability to the region," he said, adding that Turkey is ready to provide the necessary support for this purpose.
"Turkey will be with them on the new page opened in Damascus"
Stating that they will continue to work for the safe and voluntary return of Syrians and the reconstruction of the country, Fidan said: "Turkey, which extended a helping hand to its Syrian brothers and sisters in their difficult days, will also be by their side on the new page opened in Damascus."
Noting that they believe that the Syrian people will take advantage of this great opportunity, Minister Fidan said: "Preventing Daesh and the PKK from profiting from the current situation will make Syria no longer a safe haven for terrorists. To do this, we will resolutely continue all our work."
Noting that Syria has once again shown how long-term diplomacy requires patience, Fidan said that for 13 years Turkey has tirelessly defended what it considers to be true both in bilateral relations and on various platforms.
Hakan Fidan recalled that Turkey stood by the Syrians while everyone else abandoned them, stressing that the strong will of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan continues to be a beacon of hope for Syrians who have lost hope.
Noting that Turkey has taken on all kinds of difficulties for the sake of justice, regional peace and stability, Fidan said: "By taking our diplomatic steps, we have sincerely shown that we want peace and prosperity not only for our own national security and tranquility, but also for our region."
Noting that he was glad to meet with the ambassadors on the occasion of the 15th Conference of Ambassadors, Fidan said: "Each of you represents our state all over the world, waves our flag and works selflessly."
Fidan noted that the theme of this year's conference was defined as "Turkey's diplomatic steps and global reflections," and that the content of the conference was rich, and said:
"We have allocated a large space for panels covering areas such as defense, security, intelligence, economics, finance, communications, industry, transport, justice, communications, environment, energy, migration and culture, which make up the dimensions of our foreign relations. We also sought to combine theory and practice in the field of foreign relations by organizing an academic day."
Stressing that the "economy" and "trade" are an important pillar of their international relations, Fidan said that the ambassadors are engaged in very important activities such as providing new business opportunities in new markets, encouraging investments and promoting Turkey's economic power in other countries.
Stressing that finding solutions to the problems of Turkish businessmen abroad is one of the important responsibilities of the ministry, Fidan said: "With this in mind, we have organized round-table meetings with DEIK business councils where our ambassadors can consult."
Fidan explained that in an important part of the conference, assessments of this year and the future will be made, and Turkey's multidimensional foreign policy will also be discussed at regional and thematic sessions.
Noting that the conference will once again consider efforts to further strengthen the role of Turkey, whose influence in the international arena is increasing, in the global system and an exchange of views will take place, Fidan said:
"It is extremely important for us to understand the situation in the international system correctly, to conduct a more accurate analysis and to pursue the right policy. Today we face various challenges such as interconnected threats, conflicts that feed off each other, terrorism, irregular migration, xenophobia, Islamophobia, the climate crisis and cyber threats."
Fidan noted that the inability of international organizations to find solutions to these problems gradually increases the complexity and uncertainty in the global environment, and these uncertainties lead to deepening polarization and increased competition between great powers.
Stressing that this situation has led to regional and global tensions reaching even more dangerous proportions, Fidan explained that countries have not only strengthened their defense industries, but also increased investments in areas such as energy, infrastructure and supply chain security.
"These events are a manifestation of the erosion of multilateralism and the rules—based international system," Fidan said, adding that the governance system created after World War II failed to solve today's problems.
The need for United Nations reform
Minister Fidan stressed that the inability of the United Nations Security Council (UN) to say "stop" to the Israeli genocide in Gaza, which has claimed the lives of more than 44,000 Palestinians to date, clearly indicates a global crisis of governance and the need for UN reform.
Noting that the Russian-Ukrainian war carries the risk of escalating into a war between East and West, Fidan stressed that the war has further escalated due to steps taken mutually.
Explaining that the war in question cost the lives of thousands of people and brought with it the problem of global inflation, economic recession and food security, Fidan continued as follows:
"We conduct our foreign policy in the light of our deep state traditions and humanitarian values and work for the interests and survival of our country in every region of the world. Our vision to make our country more efficient and strong in all areas is gratefully moving forward thanks to the valuable contribution of you, our ambassadors. This policy, which we are pursuing with a 360-degree perspective, has an independent and national character and is focused on Turkey. Today, in the spiral of crises and conflicts in the international system, we are the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which puts forward new ideas and concepts, alternative ways, solutions and, thus, a light of hope."
Pointing out that foreign policy is multifaceted and constantly evolving, Fidan noted that Turkey adheres to a holistic and inclusive strategy.
Noting that a prerequisite for a successful foreign policy is the simultaneous assessment of the opportunities that arise during the fight against crises in the world, Minister Fidan said: "We attach great importance to the further development of your reflexes and capabilities in this direction. Reflecting today's rapidly developing technologies in our work will contribute to the further development of our ministry."
Stating that the development of breakthrough technologies is reflected in foreign policy, Fidan said, "We are adapting our vision and institutional capacity to meet the requirements of the era."
Turkey's leading role in the fight against the Israeli genocide in Gaza
Stating that from the first day they stressed that the problem should be solved on the basis of a two-State solution with the proposal of a regional guarantor against the genocide carried out by Israel in Gaza, Fidan recalled that they had stopped trade with Israel, achieved recognition of Palestine by a large number of states in the international arena and made international attempts to stop the sale of weapons to Israel.
Fidan also recalled that they participated in the consideration of cases at the International Court of Justice of the United Nations, and said that they were the initiators of the creation of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the Arab League contact group on Palestine, and also took initiatives in various countries together with this group.
Fidan said that they are conducting intensive diplomatic work to ensure a ceasefire, the delivery of humanitarian aid and the recognition of Palestine as a state, and added: "Thanks to these contacts, we are glad to see that many countries, especially in the West, which a year ago did not even dare to mention a ceasefire, have now turned into supporters of a ceasefire and the two-state solution."
Fidan stressed that they have provided and will continue to provide humanitarian assistance to Palestine, and stated that they will continue their efforts to ensure a permanent ceasefire in Lebanon and achieve a final solution by ensuring a ceasefire in Gaza.
Minister Fidan stressed that support for Palestine will continue until a Palestinian State is established based on the 1967 borders.
"Turkey continues its efforts to improve relations with countries in different regions"
Noting that they continue their efforts to end the Russian-Ukrainian war and ensure the safety of navigation in the Black Sea, Fidan said that they continue the necessary contacts to eliminate the risk of escalation that has arisen in connection with recent events, taking advantage of Turkey's reliable diplomatic position in the eyes of the parties.
Fidan said that they continue their efforts to develop relations in all regions from the Middle East to the Caucasus, from Asia to Africa, from Europe to America, in order to ensure prosperity and peace in the region.
Fidan stated that deepening cooperation with Iraq in various fields, especially in the field of security, promoting bilateral and regional relations with Iran, initiatives aimed at ensuring peace and stability in the South Caucasus, as well as developing relations with Greece within the framework of a positive agenda are among these efforts, and noted that peace and Stability in the Balkans is also crucial.
Fidan pointed out that they should maintain their constructive, innovative role in the Balkans and give priority to interaction with all participants, and the Organization of Turkic States (OT) has become stronger in line with the movement towards integration with the Turkic world and that efforts to turn it into a center of power in the global system continue continuously.
"We intend to improve our relations with the EU in terms of full membership"
Noting that they are striving for further and multidimensional development of relations with the countries of the region within the framework of their policy of openness towards Africa, the Asia-Pacific region, Latin America and the Caribbean, Fidan said: "Our intention to develop our relations with the European Union in terms of full membership remains. We take into account at each site that the disruption of the process with narrow political goals leads to the strategic loss of the European Union before anyone else."
Fidan stressed that Turkey will continue to maintain its strategic position in NATO and that it has made a significant contribution to deterring the alliance through its strong army and constantly developing ecosystem of the defense industry.
Noting that they expect the allies to support Turkey in the fight against terrorist organizations such as the PKK, FETÖ and DHKP-C, Fidan said: "In addition, among our demands, it is also worth avoiding actions incompatible with the spirit of the alliance, such as export restrictions.
"Foreign policy ensures the development of economic and trade relations"
Noting that there is a link between foreign policy and the economy, Fidan stated that trade with Africa, which in 2002 amounted to $ 4.3 billion, has now exceeded $40 billion.
Stating that commercial relations with the countries of Latin America and the Asia-Pacific region are also developing, Fidan noted that in regions where the number of embassies has increased and new embassies have been opened, commercial and cultural activities have intensified in parallel.
Stressing the strategic importance of interconnectedness, Fidan stated that Turkey is a natural partner of many interconnectedness projects, as its location connects Europe, the Middle East and Asia.
Stating that they attach strategic importance to the Trans-Caspian Middle Corridor, which is of great importance in terms of the transfer of energy, goods and services between Europe and Asia, as well as related projects, Fidan said: "We are working to develop uninterrupted communication in our region and beyond, and we are taking the necessary steps together with our relevant institutions, within the framework of a conscious policy to make our country a dominant player in the energy supply and security of conflicting geographical regions."
"The election of Sinirlioglu to the post of OSCE Secretary General testifies to international confidence in Turkish diplomacy,"
Pointing out that security, prosperity and stability cannot be considered in isolation from justice, Fidan stressed that lasting peace, stability and prosperity cannot be achieved without establishing a more just world order.
Recalling that retired Ambassador Feridun Sinirlioglu was elected Secretary General of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe as a result of intensive diplomatic initiatives, Fidan stressed that this is a manifestation of international confidence in Turkish diplomacy.
Fidan noted that a strong economy is the key to security and prosperity, as well as a strong foreign policy, and that domestic and national defense projects have caused turning points in many regions and fields of activity.
Noting that the multilateral nature of public diplomacy, which is one of the most important tools of foreign policy, also benefits, Fidan stressed that Turkey is the most generous country in the world in terms of humanitarian assistance compared to its gross national product.