Newsletters
Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stressed the fragility of peace in regions like Gaza, Ukraine, Syria, and Sudan during his message at the 28th Eurasian Economic Summit held in Istanbul. He highlighted that peace cannot be sustained without hope for security, stability, and economic recovery.
Fidan's message was delivered by Deputy Foreign Minister Mehmet Kemal Bozay during the summit's opening ceremony. Since 1998, the Eurasian Economic Summit has become a key platform for bringing together leading figures from economics, politics, diplomacy, and academia, solidifying its international reputation.
Fidan addressed the numerous global challenges, including geopolitical tensions, trade wars, energy supply issues, climate change, irregular migration, poverty, and food security. He noted that cybersecurity and emerging technologies have become central issues in international discussions.
The foreign minister emphasized that key international actors are seeking new strategies, with trade wars and tariffs creating global impacts. He pointed out that global trade is increasingly shaped by geopolitical factors such as "near-sourcing" and "friend-shoring."
Fidan underscored the direct link between peace, security, stability, and economic development. "We have all seen how fragile peace is in regions like Gaza, Ukraine, Syria, Sudan, and other crisis areas. Without offering hope for security, stability, and economic recovery, peace cannot be long-lasting," Fidan said.
Fidan called for economic diplomacy to be used as a tool to bridge geopolitical divides. He reiterated that Türkiye will leverage its strategic location to benefit both its national development and its regional and global connectivity. Fidan highlighted projects like the Middle Corridor and Development Road, which will facilitate Türkiye's access to global markets and enhance its role in global supply chains.
Fidan emphasized that lasting peace requires more than the cessation of conflict. "Peace can only be achieved through justice, mutual respect, sustainable development, and inclusive cooperation," he said. He credited President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's leadership as a guiding force for Türkiye, allowing the country to manage multiple crises simultaneously and seize opportunities for international collaboration.
Azerbaijan’s Ambassador to Türkiye, Rashad Mammadov, read a message from Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev.
Aliyev praised the strong ties between Türkiye and Azerbaijan, attributing much of their success to President Erdogan’s leadership. He also emphasized that dialogue between Türkiye and Azerbaijan plays a key role in maintaining regional peace, even amid global fragmentation. Aliyev expressed hope that the summit would serve as a vital platform for discussing issues such as economics and energy.
4 min read
