Ankara: Trkiye must take the initiative to build peace, stability, and prosperity through its own diplomatic tools at a time when the international system is increasingly dysfunctional, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said Monday. Speaking at the opening of the 16th Ambassadors Conference in the capital Ankara, Fidan emphasized that existing global mechanisms have become paralyzed and are no longer capable of resolving crises.
According to Anadolu Agency - English, Fidan stressed that the era of shaping policy using concepts produced by others and within boundaries drawn by others is over. He noted that in an environment where the international system is blocked and solution mechanisms are paralyzed, it is imperative for Trkiye to build peace, stability, and prosperity through its diplomatic tools. Highlighting the increasingly unpredictable global landscape, Fidan stated that the role of diplomats has become more vital than ever, as they are tasked with distinguishing qualified information from misinformation and understanding not only what is said, but what is truly meant in international capitals.
Fidan underscored Trkiye's proactive and multidimensional foreign policy, noting that Ankara is strengthening its role as a regional and global actor capable of shaping order rather than merely reacting to crises. He described Trkiye's efforts as building a respected and leading nation that produces security and prosperity in its immediate region, enhances its order-shaping role at the regional and global levels, increases its market share and competitiveness in international trade, and offers its own original political and cultural contribution to the international system.
Fidan also pointed to Trkiye's diplomatic efforts on key regional and global issues, including Gaza, the Russia-Ukraine war, and Syria. He stated that Trkiye played a leading role in efforts to secure a ceasefire in Gaza through its principled stance and continues to advocate for a two-state solution. He emphasized that if the two-state solution is now gaining acceptance even in Western capitals, it is largely due to the persistent and principled stance of Trkiye's diplomacy.
Regarding the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, Fidan noted that Trkiye has consistently worked for a just peace through diplomacy, with Istanbul remaining the only platform where the parties can still meet at a technical level. He reiterated the principle that there is no winner in war and no loser in a just peace, asserting that Trkiye has made the most intensive effort to bring the war to an end at the negotiating table.
On Syria, Fidan stated that Trkiye has stood on the right side of history by prioritizing human dignity despite heavy political and economic costs, and that Ankara will continue to support a stable Syria. He expressed the belief that a stable Syria free from foreign interventions will be a major added value for the region and affirmed Trkiye's determination to stand by the friendly and brotherly Syrian people.
Fidan also underlined the need for reform in global governance, particularly at the UN Security Council, and said countries capable of producing original, creative solutions will stand out in addressing systemic deadlocks.
- English