Foreign Minister Fidan: This is no longer just a war between Ukraine and Russia

When asked what kind of contribution Turkey could make to the European Union(EU), Fidan replied, "First of all, Turkey-European Unionrelations are, as you know, historical. We complement each other. Turkey has for a very long timewanted to become a member of the European Union, but due to certain political issueswithin the European Union, this hascannotbe achieved. However, we believe that it is a historical misfortune that Turkey and the European Union cannot come together in full solidarity with Turkey as a full memberdue to the fact thatit has not been possible to achieve thisso far.weare thinking," he said.

"We can also offer historical opportunities to the rest of the world"

Continuing his remarks, Fidan said, "Because Turkey has a dynamic economy, a strong defense industry, a good and young population, and is located in an extremely important region. Our military power and our influence in the region can also be integrated with the European Unionand we canestablisha truly historiccooperation in this way.And in this way, not onlythe region we areinto the region as wellnot, but at the same time to therest of the worldwe can offer historical opportunities. Because as Isaidbefore, the European Union was able to form a supranational union, butnevernever managed to establish a union above civilizations. In fact, what the world needs is this, a union above civilizations, integrity, where different civilizations are on the same living underthe conflict and contributingother things to theworld. I think this is very important," hesaid.

"A good cooperation has begun with Portugal in the defense industry"

TRegarding how relations between Turkey and Portugalcould develop, Fidan said, "We have extremely good bilateral relations with Portugal, and our relations arecontinuing excellently. As youknow, there is no limit to developing this. In tourism, trade, investment, defense industry, energy, andall areas and sectors, thebusiness communities and otherstakeholders that other circlescan also utilize, there are very important opportunities," he stated.

Fidan said, "Currently, what we are working on withmy dear friend Paulo (Rangel); through bilateral agreements and high-level visits, the existing relato make relations more institutional. Our trade volume has exceeded 3.5 billion dollars, and this isreally good for us. However, we want to increase this figure even further.A good cooperation has begun in the defense industry, and there is also good cooperation in tourism. An increasing number of Turkish businesspeople are evaluating opportunities in Portugal, and Portugal provides aextremely friendly environment for Turkish investors.provides, and this is for usagain extremely important,' he said.

'Turkey has always remainedoutside of the conflicts,'

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan'svision regarding Turkey'sposition as a leader in the MiddleEastResponding to a question, Fidan said, "As you know, President Erdoğan is our leader who has been re-elected repeatedly for over 20 years. This is not a situation we encounter very often in the Middle East, and he is a leader who works for the stability, prosperity, and security of the region."andis using this strong leadership position and influence forit," he said.

Turkish foreign policy is built on the backbone of prosperity, stability, and security,” Fidan emphasized, adding, "WWe want to provide more contributionsin these areas in our region because Turkey is in a very important geostrategic position. In oureast, there is a different set of political priorities. In our north, there is again a differentset of political priorities. Unfortunately, there is a war in the north between Ukraine and Russia.In our east, there has long been Syria, Iraq, and regional conflicts continuing beyondthat. At the very least, there is no different problem to our west right now, but inall these problematic areas, if you look at what President Erdoğan has achieved over the last 20 years, firstly, Turkey has always remained outside of the conflicts and has neverencouraged any conflicts, you will see.you will see. And we havewaged an extremely effective waragainst terrorism. Because terrorism isactually not just a sourceof insecurity,but it also serves as a sourceof corruption and the erosion of state institutionsin many countries. And tersuccessfully fightingagainst terrorismwhile simultaneouslybeing a factorthat brings stability to the region. What we are trying to do is this;our economy, defense industry, technology, and institutional capacitycan contribute much moreto the countries in the region. We are between the European Union, Central Asia, and the Middle East are in an important position.And not only are we a bridge between these differentregions,but weare also working tocreate a synthesis between theseregionsand to generate different synergies.we can play an important and major role. And Turkey, as a countrywithaccess to theseregions, can utilize these advantages thanks to its unique position.Therefore,President Erdoğan's foreign policycan put these into action. priorities for a long timethestability of the region,itssecurityand increasing its prosperityare the priorities," he stated.

"We must exert the necessary pressure on Israel"

When asked about how the international community is performing in the test regarding Gaza, Fidan said, "Unfortunately, I think we have failed this test. Now we are trying to turn back from this mistake.We are trying toturn back. Because, as you know, for the last twoyears, amajority of whom are women and including childrenwe watched the massacre of more than 70 thousand innocent people. Unfortunately, the international community and international organizations haveremainedhelpless in the face of this slaughter in the middle of the 21st century. Somecountries and unions have taken a stand against thisoppression.the necessary steps have not even been taken," he said.

Foreign Minister Fidan stated, "However, we are now emerging from this situation, and at least there is a ceasefire. Perhaps a fragile ceasefire. Right now, at least a small amount of humanitarian aid is being allowed to enter Gaza. This is better than nothing at all. However, We are now in the middle of winter and the people of Gaza need shelter. Because, in good conscience, we cannot allow a peopletostarve,die, and freeze.Therefore, shelter is important. Aid to Gazafood and medicine entry is important. For the entry of the necessary amount of food and shelter facilities into Gaza, we mustexert the necessary pressure on Israel," he stated.

"This is no longer just a war between Ukraine and Russia"

Turkey's mediation efforts regarding Ukraine andresponding to a question about US President Donald Trump's peace plan, Fidan said, "Mr. Trump and his team have been working for the last fewmonths,especially since they came to power, on what they are trying to doregarding the Ukraine-Russia war tothey are working on, issues that we absolutely support. From the very beginning, we have supported Ukraine's territorialintegrityand security, but at the same time, we knew that the only way to stop this conflict is through dialogue, peace, and a ceasefire," he replied.

Stating that it is known there will be no winner in the war in Ukraine, Fidan said, "Because it is nolonger just a war between Ukraine and Russia. The war has become something far beyond Ukraine and Russia. It has created fault lines and causedmajor divisions. It has led to economic crises, energy crises, and political crisesthat began in Europe and continued in other countries. And at the same time, it has led to a food crisisdue to grain shipment problems.opened. And a series of global major crises were actually pavedthe way forin this manner. Therefore, it needed to end. Now, what Mr. Trump is trying to do, and what we are also trying is completelyin line with whatwehave been working on" he stated.

Fidan said, "As you mentioned, Turkey, the warthe only country capable of bringing the parties together. We were ableto seat them at the same table. Mr. Trump is perhapsconductingshuttle diplomacy by speaking with different parties, which is very good. We are also doingour best toassist them.we are doing. I hope they succeed and we cantruly seethis senseless war end in the shortestpossible time," he concluded his remarks.