Statement from Minister Fidan on ship attacks in the Black Sea: The geography of the war is gradually expanding

Speaking about the ship attacks in the Black Sea, Fidan said, "Especially regarding the Black Sea, the recent attacks actually show how justified ourwarnings as Turkey have beenfrom the very beginning. Because thegeography of the war is gradually expanding. Thisis a very frightening development." things" he stated.

Turkey's contribution to Europe'ssecurityand the obstruction of its European Union (EU) membership process by the GCAregarding the issue, EU officials and EU Responding to a question regarding what messages he conveyed to theforeign ministers of their countries, Fidan noted that for twodays they have been meeting with EU officials and theforeign ministers of NATO countries, and that they have beenparticipating in intensive NATO meetings that cover several agendasthroughout the day.

Fidan stated that they came together within the framework of NATOstating that they primarily evaluated the potential peace agreement in Ukraine and related developments with his European counterparts, and said, "Turkey, in Ukraine peace talks has been a key actor, and because of this, our views are constantlyWe are alsobeing asked about these issues," he said.

EU HighRepresentative for ForeignAffairs and SecurityPolicy KajaKallas and the EU Commissioner forEnlargement Stating that he held very long talks yesterday with member Marta Kos,Fidan said that theydiscussed all issuesopenlyandfrankly at the table.Fidan noted that

Kos had only broadstating that there are not only accession files but also files related to connectivity, and that the EU and Turkey have concrete projects regarding connectivity with differentgeographies such as the Caucasus and Central Asia.

"Regarding the membership process, openlysomeongoing effortsare underway, but certain chapters need to be opened here. Certain blockages need to be lifted. There are certain decisions taken in 2019 that need to be revoked. Currently, there are effortsdirectedat that," said Fidan, adding that Turkey and the EU are working on the Customs Union,visa liberalization, and the European Investment Bank'sTurkeyHe emphasized that they are working on severalfundamental issues, such as startingfull operations in Turkey.Fidan highlighted two areas where Turkey

has made progress in its talkswith the EU, noting,"For example, where do we stand on the Russia-Ukraine issue? What are we doing regarding the Gaza issue?"are we doing? What are we doing regarding the Syrian issue? These areextremely important areas for Turkey. These are also areas where the European Unionisinvolved.For Turkey and the European Union,being able to engage in high-quality cooperation here is both for our foreign policyamatter offrom their perspective, and both for theminterms of being extremely important. That we have advanced thisis very important and valuable, I thinkIthink," he stated..

Explaining that issues in Africa, particularly in North Africa and sub-Saharan Africa, as well as opportunities and areas of businesshave become a subject to which they attach importance,Fidan said, "TTurkey's effortsthat it has put forward here for yearsnow form an important foundationin cooperation with the European Union and otherglobal actors, which is for usa significant development.for a major win-win aproaches. At this point, win-win, as our President has expressed, is a method for the European Union to wongoing issueswe have," he said.

"WHOMEVER I SPEAK WITH, THEY COMPLAIN ABOUT THE GCA"

Fidan, noting that relations with EUcountries are progressing well individually, said, "TodayI, at the NATO Ministerial Council wI looked at it,with the exception of one or two European Union countries, our relations with all of them are trulyextraordinary. Everyone is in pursuit of further advancing their own trade, economy, stability, andsecurity," he stated.

Turkey's partnersemphasizing thatthese issues offer tremendousopportunities, Fidan noted that Turkey is a reliable, fair, and good partner in trade, politics, and defense,and that it is a state with a tradition.

Fidan stated thatthe private sector in Turkey is strong and the population is dynamic,adding thatstating, "When youbring all of these together, Turkey actually offers great potential, but for theinstitutional adventure continuing with the European Union to reach a conclusion at some point in our story,certainblockades must be lifted," he said.

"Whoever I speak with, they complain about the GCA. So there is such a problem. It is a matter of a group of people holding hostage the synergy area that concerns the fate of more than 400 million people in the European Union and Turkey." Fidan said, adding that no one has the strategic perspectivestated that they would not accept this.

Fidan noted that his counterparts saw thiscloselyandstated that he expressed these issuesin appropriate language at the appropriate time, pointing out that in the EU, onemany issues being handled by consensusis being abused. drew attention.

Minister Fidan stated, "What is important here is for Turkey to continue its path in foreign policy without giving anyone leverage and without keeping the ball entirely on its own side."he said.

RUSSIA-UKRAINE NEGOTIATIONSI

The positive conclusion of the Russia-Ukraine peace negotiationsRegardingwhether his hope fora resolution continues and his impressions from the NATO meetings, Fidan stated that his hope remains.

Minister Fidanemphasized that the continuation of negotiations and the fact that the partiesdo not leave the table is technically important,stating, "For years, on behalf of our President, while acting as a special representative or whilemediating on other issues, themostimportantthing I have observed is not to leave the table.No matter how bad the conditions are,no matter how different the positions are,if you are around the table with the intention of reaching a compromise, you will meet somewhere," he said.

Pointing out that the initial positionsregarding theRussia-Ukraineconflict are very differentfrom each other, Fidan expressed that the parties could be brought together on a middle ground.

Fidan stated, "Here especially the mediator role currently being played, and with the partiesmeeting (US President Donald Trump's Special Envoy) Steve Witkoff will play an important rolewethinkI think. I also clearlystate that he has sufficientequipmentandcapabilities.I think," he said..

Pointing out that there are severalintertwinedissuesregarding the Russia-Ukrainematter, Fidan noted, "This incident, of course, is Ukraine'sis a matter related to its territory, a matter related to Russia's strategic goals and security. In a way, it is also a matter related to Europe's own security. There is such an intertwined nature. Every side wants different things based on different parameters relevant to themselves," he stated.

Fidan, at the NATO meetings, dreferring to the topic raised yesterday and today that "the peace to be made in Europe will revealEurope's new post-war system," he emphasized that the agreement would bring not only peace but also a new structure. Therefore,everyone is now making an effort to attachmuch more importance than necessary to the existing potential agreement.Because this is not just about today

but also about the future. It is a matter of establishing a new order.not just about stopping the war, but also concerns what comes after," Fidan said, explaining that Europeans arefocusingon what happened after past agreements.

Fidan noted that everyone is calculatingthesecurity, as well as the risks andgainsof Europe after an agreement.stating that "In a place where so many separatecalculations are being made, thereisalsoconfusion of thought.This must be addressed with a clear mind, toward specific goalsanddirection.to be pursued and for the parties to these goalsto intensify their efforts is currently an area of increasing focus for us," he said..

Stating that he told his interlocutors who seek advice what they should focus on and how,Fidan explained the latest point reachedbetween the parties asto learn that it will enter an important meeting.

Fidan stated, "Our President (Recep Tayyip Erdoğan) is also in talks with European leaders and (Russian President Vladimir) Putin. Thesetalksare ongoing. As Turkiye, we aredirectlywereiterated that we wish to host the negotiations. Russia has a positive stance on this matter. I believe that Ukraine will soon adopt a positive position on this issue aswell," he said, adding that if there is an agreement on a framework onpa per, then the details of thiscan be clarified.for the partiesto come together andtalk face-to-faceemphasized that they should.

Thereis no placemore suitable than Turkey for the talksExpressing that, Fidan stated, "We proved this with the meetings we hosted and managed in Istanbulthree times last summer.In each instance, the partiesleft truly satisfied."he said.

Fidan noted that thetalksin Istanbul were for Russia and Ukraine'sall problemsits despite not being able to solvethe ongoing current negotiations, he underscored that it prepares a tremendous ground for them.

BLACK SEAATTACKS ON COMMERCIAL SHIPS IN THE BLACK SEA

Regarding the question about the meeting held with the foreign ministers of Romania and Bulgaria following theattacks on commercial ships in Turkey's exclusiveeconomiczone in the Black Sea,Fidan stated that Bulgaria, Romania, andTurkeyare in close coordination.Turkey, especially regarding the warmines in thedrifting to thecoasts, to eliminate aworking group has been established, he replied.

The naval forces are working on this issue workSharing the information that it has begun to be discussed, Minister Fidan said, "Especially regarding the Black Sea, the recent attacks actually show how justified ourwarning as Turkey has beenfrom the very beginning. Because thegeography of the war is gradually expanding. This isa very frightening development. thing," he said.

Minister Fidan pointed out that the attack on these two shipssailing in Turkey's exclusiveeconomiczonenot only endangers navigation safety in the Black Sea,but alsoturns the Black Sea into an area closed to trade and human transit.

Turkey has internationalaccess to warm watersthrough opportunities like the Aegean and Mediterranean, but countries like Romania and Bulgaria only have sea accessvia the Black Sea which is whystating that, "This issue is for thema bigger problem. But as the country with the longest coastline on the Black Sea, we also had to takea great responsibility. In this regard, we are doing whatis required of us," he said.

In the Black Sea, navigationsafety,pipelines, energy lines, fiber optic cables, energy iExploration activities and fishing were important topics, Fidan stated, adding, "But when you are affected by war conditions, you cannot take advantage of this economic opportunity. On the contrary, you are at risk."

Fidan stated thatat the meeting in question,topics such as what kindof measures could be developed,and in which institutions and through what kind of coordination mechanism these measures would be brought together were discussed, and that decisions were made onvarious issues and workcontinued to be worked onhe added.