ISTANBUL 

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Thursday underlined Türkiye's role in Europe's security, saying the continent's deterrent and sustainable security is "only possible" with Ankara's participation.

“The issue of Europe's security cannot be reduced solely to the war in Ukraine. The topic of Europe's security architecture must be addressed from a long-term and strategic perspective. In this context, a sustainable and deterrent security architecture is only possible with Türkiye’s participation,” he said, while addressing a joint news conference with his Croatian counterpart Gordan Grlic Radman in Ankara.

European leaders convened for emergency talks in Brussels on Thursday to increase defense spending and shore up support for Ukraine.

Reiterating Türkiye’s stance on the resolution of the Ukraine war via negotiations, Fidan said Ankara has not only expressed its readiness to contribute to initiatives based on dialogue and diplomacy but also has taken steps in this regard.

Bilateral ties with Croatia

Fidan said Ankara has been working on increasing mutual investments with Croatia and bilateral cooperation in the defense industry is also growing, which they aim to deepen.

Energy issues are among the areas of cooperation between the two countries, Fidan said, stressing that Croatia's energy terminal on Krk Island is of strategic importance for Europe's energy security.

Türkiye would like to see Croatia contribute more to Europe's energy security through investments by companies operating in the renewable energy sector, the Turkish foreign minister said.

He said Türkiye maintains close dialogue with Croatia for stability in the Balkans, and both nations are “important partners” for regional peace and stability.

“With the regional ownership approach, we established the trilateral consultation mechanism with Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. In the same spirit, our cooperation with Croatia continues within the framework of the South East European Cooperation Process,” he added.

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Touching upon recent incidents in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Fidan urged parties in the Balkan nation to refrain from "unilateral rhetoric," and to resolve issues through dialogue.

"Unfortunately, we are seeing an increase in statements and decisions that risk the harmony and balance among the founding peoples of Bosnia and Herzegovina,” he said.

"We urge everyone to act with restraint. We need cooperation, consensus, and dialogue, not provocations."

Emphasizing Türkiye’s “unwavering support” for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Fidan reaffirmed Ankara’s readiness to do its part in this regard.

A court in Bosnia and Herzegovina recently sentenced Milorad Dodik, president of the Republika Srpska, one of the two entities in the nation, to one year in prison and banned him from politics for six years.

Bosnian officials on Thursday, meanwhile, challenged laws barring the state judiciary and police from operating in the Serb-controlled part of the country.

Gaza

Urging all stages of the ceasefire in Gaza to be implemented, Fidan said Israel continues to disregard international law in the blockaded enclave, as well as in the occupied West Bank.

Commenting on Israeli ban on the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza, Fidan urged the decision be reversed at the earliest.

He said Türkiye welcomed the Gaza plan presented by the Arab League at the summit held in Cairo on Tuesday, adding that he would attend the extraordinary meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on Friday.

He said Ankara would continue close dialogue with regional countries on the Palestinian issue.

Fidan said the meeting will once again collectively oppose any attempts to forcibly displace Palestinians from Gaza.

Syria

The Turkish diplomat said steps taken towards establishing national reconciliation in Syria, after the National Dialogue Conference, are significant, and called on the global community to support this process.

“The most concrete way to show this support is to lift sanctions unconditionally and to the maximum extent. Recently, we have seen some circles intensifying provocations and incitements.

“It is important for the Syrian people to unite around the principle of the country's territorial integrity and unity,” Fidan said, reiterating Ankara’s support for the Syrian people.