Turkish foreign minister says Balkans hold strategic, cultural priority for Türkiye

Türkiye sees the Balkans not only as a strategic priority but also as a region closely linked through shared cultural and human ties, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said on Saturday.

Speaking at a press conference following the inaugural Balkan Peace Platform meeting in Istanbul, Fidan underscored the region’s critical importance for both Europe and the broader neighbourhood. “The stability of the Balkans is essential not only for Europe but also for the peace and security of surrounding regions,” he said.

The platform, launched at the initiative of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, brought together representatives from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Albania, and Kosovo. According to Fidan, the strong interest shown by regional leaders reflects shared concerns and aspirations for lasting peace and cooperation.

Fidan described the Balkans as a strategic crossroads connecting Europe, the Middle East, the Mediterranean, and the Black Sea, noting its long-standing significance in political, economic, and security matters. He emphasised that Türkiye’s bilateral ties with regional countries continue to deepen across various sectors, and that dialogue and cooperation must be led by regional actors themselves.

“The Balkan Peace Platform is a step forward in regional ownership,” he said. “It is designed to facilitate honest dialogue and sustained engagement among all parties.”

The initiative aims to foster a regional environment where the Balkans are associated with cooperation and solidarity, rather than conflict and division. Fidan stated that the platform is meant to complement, not replace, existing mechanisms such as the EU-facilitated Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue.

He stressed that key issues discussed included political developments, energy security, regional connectivity, economic cooperation, and capacity building. Participants agreed to meet regularly and work on concrete projects to advance peace and prosperity across the Balkans.

Supporting EU aspirations and collective action

Noting that six of the seven participating countries are EU candidates, Fidan said one of the priorities discussed was how to share experiences from Türkiye’s own EU process and build greater regional awareness in Brussels. The platform, he said, provides an opportunity to exchange views on EU visa policies, Customs Union alignment, and broader accession challenges.

He also pointed out that joint cooperation on EU defence initiatives, such as SAFE and Rearm Europe, could help bridge the gap between member states and candidate countries. Defense industry collaboration was also on the agenda, given the region’s varying capacities.

Cultural and tourism ties growing stronger

Fidan highlighted the growing interest of Turkish tourists in the Balkans—especially among young people—as a positive sign of deepening people-to-people ties. He noted that Turkish nationals rank first among foreign visitors to six Balkan countries, while cities such as Belgrade, Skopje, Tirana, and Pristina are now popular travel destinations.

He added that Balkan countries welcome this engagement, while Türkiye remains a major destination for both tourism and business from the region.

Diplomacy over division

The foreign minister underlined that participants reached a broad consensus on the need to resolve regional disputes through diplomacy and dialogue. While acknowledging tensions between some countries, Fidan said there is a shared commitment to avoid conflict and focus on cooperation.

“We agreed that regional problems should be solved by regional actors. It is our responsibility to act when we have the means to do so,” he stated. The platform, he added, will continue to convene every six months, with Istanbul as its initial hub.

Russia-Ukraine diplomacy and Türkiye’s mediation efforts

Fidan also spoke about Türkiye’s ongoing efforts to mediate between Russia and Ukraine. He confirmed that both countries have expressed willingness to hold a leaders’ summit in Istanbul under Ankara’s facilitation.

However, the parties have yet to agree on the timing, conditions, and agenda for such a meeting. Fidan said that President Erdogan firmly believes in the power of leader-level diplomacy to overcome deadlocks that often hinder delegation-level negotiations.

He welcomed the progress made in areas such as humanitarian issues and prisoner exchanges, stressing Türkiye’s readiness to support further dialogue.

“If the groundwork is laid, we hope to host a trilateral meeting in Istanbul soon,” Fidan said.

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