Foreign Minister Fidan discusses the importance of stability in the Balkans

The first meeting of the Balkan Peace Platform, organized under the leadership of Turkey with the participation of Balkan countries, was held in Istanbul. Within the scope of the Balkan Peace Platform Foreign Ministers' Meeting, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan held talks in Istanbul with Bosnia and Herzegovina Foreign Minister Elmedin Konakovic, Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Djuric, and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Montenegro Ervin Ibrahimovic.

Making statements after the meeting, Minister Fidan said, "We came together with participants from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Albania, and Kosovo. I would like to express my sincere thanks to our esteemed guests for their contributions. The Balkans is a strategic crossroads between Europe, the Middle East, the Mediterranean, and the Black Sea basins. Throughout history, it has been at the center of political, economic, and security balances. It maintains the same level of importance today. The stability of the Balkans is of great importance for the peace and security of the regions, especially Europe. For Turkey, this geography is not only a strategic priority but also one intertwined with cultural and human ties. Our bilateral cooperation with the countries of the region continues to develop in a multidimensional way," he said.

"WE ARE STRIVING TO CONTRIBUTE"

Stating that "We believe that stability in the Balkans will become permanent primarily through the strengthening of cooperation and dialogue between the countries of the region," Minister Fidan said, "At the foundation of this approach lies the principle of regional ownership. The Balkan Peace Platform, whose first meeting we held today, constitutes a new link in our regional ownership approach. Our goal is to develop a result-oriented and unique structure that addresses problems in a sincere manner and allows for regular contact between the parties. We want to create a ground where the word 'Balkans' is used in the sense of cooperation and solidarity, not division and fragmentation. We are striving to contribute to the prosperity and peace of both our region and our immediate surroundings. We aim not to replace any process, but to support existing mechanisms. We offer a framework that supports the efforts of the international community, especially the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue process. We discussed regional issues. We emphasized that the establishment of stability and prosperity throughout the Balkans is our primary priority. In addition to political developments in the region, we exchanged views on many topics, including energy security, strengthening connectivity, and opportunities for regional cooperation and capacity building. Of course, we also evaluated the future of the Balkan Peace Platform," he said.

"WE WILL CONTINUE WITH DETERMINATION"

Minister Fidan said, "We aim for this platform to form a complementary format in terms of existing platforms and initiatives in the region. We evaluated these issues in detail with the esteemed participants. A common will has emerged to continue the meetings at regular intervals and to prioritize projects that will concretize regional cooperation. We are going through a period where crises are intertwined on a global scale, international norms are eroding, and uncertainties are increasing. It is a requirement of common sense to seek joint, not individual, solutions in the face of these challenges. For this reason, there is a greater need than ever to strengthen regional dialogue mechanisms. We must make decisions about our own region together. We believe that stability, trust, and prosperity are built together. We will continue with determination to support the Balkans in its journey toward a stable future in peace, together with our friends. I would like to thank all our friends who contributed to this process with their participation once again," he said.

News Source: İHA