Behind the scenes of the Fuat Oktay and Hakan Fidan dispute: Commission minutes on the agenda

It was alleged that TBMM Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Fuat Oktay had criticized Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan's deputies and ministry bureaucrats during a committee meeting, while Oktay had denied the claims in clear terms.

However, the debate has taken on a new dimension with the emergence of the minutes from the committee meeting held on January 22, 2026.

According to reports in some media outlets in recent days, it was claimed that Oktay used harsh language regarding deputy ministers and bureaucrats in front of opposition lawmakers during the meeting.

In response, Oktay had stated that the reports in question did not reflect the truth.

However, the official minutes, which have now been made accessible, provide the public with more concrete information regarding the speeches made during this session of the committee, the criticisms raised, and the general atmosphere of the session.

Oktay's assessments regarding the committee members and the participating ministry representatives stand out in the minutes.

The dialogue between Fuat Oktay and Fırat Sünel, the Director General of International Law and Treaties at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on January 22 is as follows:

'WHY DID YOU GATHER US HERE UNPREPARED?'

FUAT OKTAY

Friends, why aren't you giving a clear answer? Aren't the agreements with you? Why aren't you standing behind them, aren't you prepared?

FIRAT SÜNEL

Sir, we are prepared.

FUAT OKTAY

Why don't you say it clearly?

FIRAT SÜNEL

It is a routine process, sir.

FUAT OKTAY

“It could be.” “It might not be.” “This could also happen.” “That could also happen.” I mean, why don't you just say it clearly? Why are you bringing us here unprepared and making us discuss these issues?