Brussels: Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan met with his counterparts from the UK, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Canada, as well as the NATO chief, on the sidelines of a NATO foreign ministers meeting at the alliance's headquarters in Brussels. Fidan and NATO General Secretary Mark Rutte discussed efforts to end the war between Ukraine and Russia as well as Black Sea security issues.

According to Anadolu Agency, the meeting with UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Coope addressed the situation in Gaza, efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war, plus Syria and Lebanon, said Turkish diplomatic sources. Fidan emphasized the necessity of pressuring Israel to ensure a sustainable ceasefire in Gaza and to facilitate the entry of humanitarian aid into the region. Additionally, on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Fidan highlighted the need for a fair and lasting solution.

Diplomatic sources provided no details about his meetings with the Dutch, Belgian, and Canadian foreign ministers, David van Weel, Maxime Prevot, and Anita Anand, respectively. The Turkish foreign minister also met with Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council Secretary Rustem Umerov, but no further details were provided by the officials.

Along with talks with his counterparts, Fidan also attended a trilateral meeting with Bulgarian Foreign Minister Georg Georgiev and Romanian Foreign Minister Oana Toiu. At the meeting, in reference to recent developments, the importance of safety in the Black Sea for the three NATO member coastal states was underlined. The vital importance both globally and regionally of free trade flows, as well as the security of sea lines of communication and critical infrastructure, were also addressed, according to diplomatic sources.

Freedom of navigation in the Black Sea and adherence to international legal norms must be ensured, and careful implementation of the Montreux Straits Convention is essential, it underscored. A commitment was expressed to act in solidarity to ensure that the Black Sea remains a sea of peace, stability, and cooperation. Preparations for the NATO summit to be held in Turkey's capital Ankara next July and the contributions of the Turkish defense industry to members were also discussed. The next NATO summit will take place in Ankara on July 7-8, 2026.