Turkey’s Top Diplomat on the Global Order, Gaza, and Regional Stability
Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stated that Turkey is firmly opposed to any military intervention against Iran, emphasizing that Iran should resolve its own internal, authentic issues through its own mechanisms.
Speaking at a briefing with media representatives, Minister Fidan shared a comprehensive assessment of the international system’s outlook in 2025 and outlined the core priorities of Turkish foreign policy. He underlined that 2025 has gone on record as a year in which paralysis in the international system deepened and, worryingly, became normalized. According to Fidan, the set of rules underpinning the global order has suffered damage that is difficult to repair, and the existing model of global governance has clearly failed its test in Gaza.
“The Global Order Has Suffered Irreparable Damage”
Minister Fidan noted that the international system is undergoing a severe stress test, with successive crises leaving deep scars on humanity’s shared conscience. He pointed out that over the past year, the rules-based order at the heart of the global system has been gravely undermined. As a result, states have begun to question their existing alliances and to search for new structures and arrangements.
Against a backdrop of armed conflicts, economic volatility, and rapid technological transformation, countries are being forced to reassess their strategies. In this environment, Fidan stressed that for responsible states, diplomacy remains the only viable and legitimate tool for achieving peaceful solutions.
“The Genocide in Gaza Has Become a Test for the International System”
From the perspective of Turkish foreign policy, 2025 has been an exceptionally intense year, with Gaza standing out as the heaviest and most pressing item on the agenda. Minister Fidan described the genocide in Gaza as the most serious issue of 2025 in terms of international law and humanitarian values, and as a defining test of the international system’s capacity.
He stated plainly that today’s global governance model has failed this test. Under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Turkey has worked tirelessly with friendly and brotherly countries to stop the atrocities and to secure a ceasefire. At present, Fidan said, the situation remains fragile but offers grounds for cautious hope. In the period ahead, Turkey will continue to work for a lasting ceasefire, the reconstruction of Gaza, and for Palestinians to live in peace and dignity under the roof of their own state.
Keeping Diplomatic Channels Open
Turning to the Russia–Ukraine war, Minister Fidan observed that the conflict has triggered fundamental debates, from transatlantic relations to Europe’s identity and security architecture. Turkey, he said, has made intensive efforts—led personally by the President—to keep diplomatic channels open and to promote steps toward peace.
Looking ahead to 2026, Fidan explained that efforts to end the war will focus on bridging the gap between ideal solutions and realistic outcomes. Discussions on Europe’s security architecture, he added, are likely to remain a central item on the agenda for many years to come.
Syria, SDG, and Regional Destabilization
Fidan also highlighted Syria’s ongoing transformation and reintegration into the international community as one of the more positive developments of 2025. He expressed hope that the constructive approach shown by regional countries, European states, and the United States would continue with the same determination.
At the same time, he noted that the SDG issue remains a persistent problem for Syria, Turkey, and the wider region, expressing hope that progress could be achieved in the coming year. Turkey, he affirmed, will maintain its clear and resolute policy on this matter in 2026 as well.
Finally, Minister Fidan warned of increasing Israeli attacks over the past year against countries such as Syria, Iran, and Lebanon, alongside intensified “divide, fragment, and rule” activities stretching from Somaliland to Iran. He cautioned that the belief that Israel can secure its own safety by destabilizing neighboring countries is an illusion, and that this mindset now poses a threat not only to the region but also at the global level.
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