Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan assessed Türkiye’s foreign policy during an NTV broadcast. Fidan said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s rhetoric targeting Türkiye was part of an effort to strengthen his domestic political position.
Assessment of Israel’s policies
Fidan said Netanyahu was trying to portray himself as indispensable and preserve his hold on power, adding that hostile rhetoric portraying Türkiye as a threat was also part of this policy.
Fidan argued that Israel would face greater international isolation because of the policy it was pursuing. Saying that Israel posed a threat not only to the region but also to the world, Fidan held Netanyahu’s policies responsible for this situation.
Preparations to institutionalize the Mecca Alliance
Fidan said work to establish the regional mechanism known as the Mecca Alliance was progressing well and that there was strong political will among the participants.
Fidan said that appointing personnel and establishing the headquarters were the remaining tasks, adding that new talks on the participation of regional countries could begin after the alliance was institutionalized. He said the alliance could eventually develop into a platform capable of significantly changing regional balances.
Statement on Bab el-Mandeb and Saudi Arabia
Fidan said there were various initiatives aimed at resolving the crisis around the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, stressing that diplomatic efforts needed to produce concrete results for the parties concerned.
Fidan said the Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia were serious attacks targeting the country’s territorial integrity. Saying that Türkiye was acting in solidarity with Saudi Arabia on this issue, Fidan stated that Saudi Arabia should not be turned into a party to the ongoing confrontation between Iran and the United States.
Fidan said they were not opposed to providing assistance if Saudi Arabia had military needs in certain technical areas, adding that the attacks targeted the country’s sovereignty and infrastructure. He also noted that allies had responsibilities toward one another.
Syria and Iran-US talks
Addressing the situation in Syria and the process involving the dissolution and integration of the Syrian Democratic Forces, Fidan said the parties aimed to ensure that developments progressed gradually and in a controlled manner.
Assessing the talks between Iran and the United States, Fidan said the parties had begun interpreting the ongoing process in different ways to serve their own interests.
Developments in the Aegean Sea
Addressing Greece’s activities in the Aegean Sea, Fidan said an election atmosphere was being felt in the country and that similar rhetoric could therefore continue.
Fidan said Türkiye was adhering to its official position and that the Turkish Armed Forces and coast guard units were maintaining a high level of readiness. He said they hoped no one would take reckless steps in the region and that they were closely monitoring any potential moves.
Fidan stressed that Türkiye’s position on unresolved issues in the Aegean Sea had not changed. Saying that they did not accept the militarization of islands lacking military status until the continental shelf issue was resolved, Fidan stated that they were pursuing a determined approach on the matter.
