Antalya: Trkiye's foreign minister announced on Sunday that efforts are in progress to arrange a meeting between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and US President Donald Trump. Work is ongoing to determine whether the meeting will occur in the US or Trkiye, Hakan Fidan informed reporters at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum 2025, held in the Turkish resort city.
According to Anadolu Agency, Fidan also mentioned President Erdogan's intention to visit Syria, stating that plans are being made regarding suitable conditions, dates, and venues. During the three-day forum, Trkiye hosted over 6,000 guests from 155 countries, including high-level dignitaries such as 21 presidents and prime ministers. The forum addressed key global and regional issues, placing emphasis on humanity's common future.
Fidan highlighted Trkiye's commitment to a diplomatic approach grounded in regional ownership and cooperation amidst global polarization. He affirmed Ankara's ongoing efforts to halt the violence in Palestine and to combat threats to Syria's security and stability. He urged caution among actors within and outside Syria, criticizing Israel's operations in Syria for fostering instability.
The foreign minister stressed the importance of establishing technical military-level agreements to prevent direct confrontations among involved actors like Israel, the US, Trkiye, and Russia. He expressed gratitude to Azerbaijan for hosting a recent conflict de-escalation meeting, which focused on resolving air traffic issues.
Fidan reiterated Trkiye's intention to partake in efforts for achieving peace in Ukraine and restructuring Europe's security architecture. He called for Europe to redefine its security needs, highlighting ongoing developments in reducing dependency in the defense industry.
Lastly, Fidan emphasized Trkiye's active role in fostering cooperation in Africa, supporting post-colonial nation-states, and using its long-standing state experience to strengthen ties. With respect to the Russia-Ukraine war, he noted Ankara's unique position due to its amicable relations with both sides and its willingness to facilitate peace talks if desired by the parties involved.