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Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stated that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza and pursuing territorial expansion, calling for international recognition of Israeli crimes during a conference at Italy's Institute of International Affairs (IAI) in Rome.
"It has become clear that they are pursuing more territory in the long term and have never abandoned this goal," Fidan said on Friday, addressing Israel's regional policies.
"Acknowledging the realities in Gaza and exposing Israel's crimes against humanity is the first step toward a just world," he noted.
The minister also emphasized that Israel's real concern is not security, stating that if it were, a two-state solution would have been implemented by now.
Following Israel's attack on Qatar, Fidan predicted potential shifts in regional security discussions among Gulf states.
"I think it would not be surprising if a new discussion begins in the region about redefining regional security," he said.
He noted that Gulf countries face significant fears because "it's now clear that even the U.S. cannot provide security when it comes to Israel, as Israeli policies are exempt from U.S. general objectives."
The foreign minister stressed that stabilizing Syria is fundamental for Europe's security and peace, urging support for the Syrian government to provide basic services, including security and safety, to its people.
"Israel wants to see divided, fragmented, weak neighbors. They don't want to see countries that are economically or politically well-off. That's why Israel's neighbors must be economically weak and politically divided," Fidan said.
He warned that international and regional countries must remain committed to ensuring Syria's stability, unity and prosperity: "Otherwise, millions of Syrian refugees will continue to remain where they are. Even more may emerge, and Syria could turn into a source of instability."
Fidan emphasized that pressure must be applied not only to stop developments in Gaza but also to what Israel wants to do in Syria.
"Future Israeli political leaders must understand that the future of Israel and Arabs in the region must be built on mutual prosperity, dignity, security and safety. Someone else's instability and insecurity cannot be your prosperity and security.
This equation is wrong. We need to change it. Because while it may seem to work for you in the short term, perhaps you are paving the way for a great strategic danger for yourself—you can never know," he stated.
Regarding the Ukraine conflict, Fidan said diplomacy remains the only realistic path to ending the war, citing the Istanbul negotiations as proof of this approach's viability.
He recalled Türkiye's mediation efforts between Ukraine and Russia.
"The real problem now is the Donetsk region," Fidan said.
"If we want a real ceasefire, both sides have their own positions on Donetsk. I don't want to rediscuss these positions here. But that's the only issue right now. I hope American friends and other friends, including us, can be very creative in presenting solutions acceptable to both sides," he added.
He noted this could be the first time a possible ceasefire, even a long-term one, could be achieved but emphasized that especially the U.S. needs to make a great effort.
Fidan observed that "Trump has changed U.S. policy and position in the Ukraine War. Instead of being the leading power in the war, he adopted a policy of remaining neutral.
This has left European countries facing a leadership problem. Who will lead, and if things go badly, who will be the ultimate security guarantor in the worst-case scenario?"
He added that European countries are preparing for different scenarios, noting, "I know European countries are preparing for different scenarios, but European security architecture is fundamentally based on American capacity and American leadership. What will happen in the absence of such a thing? I think this is a topic being discussed now."
"The good thing is that under President Erdogan's leadership, Türkiye is ready to participate in these discussions in very constructive and possible ways.
Meanwhile, we believe peace through diplomacy is possible, but both sides need to make a bit more effort," Fidan concluded on Ukraine.
On the terrorist organization YPG issue in Syria, Fidan stated they believe it would be good if the YPG could reach an agreement with the Damascus government, referencing a March 10 agreement, though he noted they weren't 100% satisfied with its provisions.
"We now observe that the YPG is holding back. They're dragging their feet on advancing the agreement they made with the Damascus government."
"I think they're now hoping to create an opportunity for themselves from the crisis Israel has created in Syria. If a new wave of instability emerges in Syria, they think it could be better for their future," Fidan said.
He emphasized Türkiye's consistent and persistent stance toward the YPG: "Threats toward Türkiye... Currently, we see many PKK members from Türkiye, Iraq and Iran working with the YPG. They are not there for Syria; they are there to fight against us. So as long as this threat element and certain capabilities exist, we cannot be satisfied with what's happening and must take necessary measures."
"But as I said, we're now giving both Damascus and the YPG a chance to solve their own problems. In doing so, we expect them to both contribute to Syria's overall stability and address our security concerns," he noted.
"We're using all tools at our disposal to achieve this goal through peaceful means. But I repeat, what we serve here is our nation's security. If things go badly, there may be no other alternative," he warned.
Fidan emphasized the growing partnership between Türkiye and Italy, describing it as spreading "like an eagle's wings across the Mediterranean and North Africa."
"This is not an alliance of interests. It is a strategic formation born from shared history, geography and future," he said, noting both countries are NATO allies and G20 partners contributing to stability in the Mediterranean and Africa.
The foreign minister highlighted that cooperation between the two nations has "never been more vital" in this period of a changing global landscape, noting both countries have the capacity to shape developments in the region and beyond.
"Italy is already among Türkiye's leading economic and trade partners. However, we see much greater potential. There are great opportunities to deepen our cooperation in defense, industry, trade, investment, energy security and corridors, climate change, science and technology, and of course connectivity and trade routes," Fidan said.
He noted that Türkiye is NATO's second-largest military power, while Italy offers unique expertise, adding that they have deepened NATO cooperation through joint exercises and expanded collaboration in counterterrorism, including intelligence.
Fidan expressed appreciation for Italy's consistent support for Türkiye's EU membership while noting that the EU still struggles to act jointly in foreign policy.
"There is a need for a vision that can redefine the strategic horizon of EU-Türkiye relations. The country that can lead this renewal is Italy. Italy has charted an independent strategic route in recent years. These policies align with Türkiye's stronger Mediterranean vision," he stated.
The minister emphasized that the geopolitical storms Europe faces today could be prevented with Türkiye at the EU table.
Fidan announced that Türkiye will rapidly normalize relations with Armenia once the final agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan is signed.
"As soon as the final signatures are placed on the Armenia-Azerbaijan agreement, we will quickly proceed with normalization with Armenia," he said, noting they expect final signatures in the first half of next year.
He praised Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan for taking "a historic risk" regarding peace and relations with Azerbaijan after the liberation of the occupied territories in Karabakh and thanked Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev and his team for the process.
Fidan lastly noted that U.S. President Donald Trump reinforced a historic agreement in Washington, though final signatures were not placed there.
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