FOREIGN MINISTER HAKAN FİDAN- Dear press members, the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, which we are organizing for the fourth time, has once again captured the pulse of diplomacy this year. It has emerged as a rich and multi-layered consultation platform. The Forum has shed light on regional and global developments and proposed solutions to current problems. At this year's meeting, we all expressed our hopes and concerns about humanity's common future. We discussed cooperation mechanisms that will build this future together. Guided by the concept of “Reclaiming Diplomacy in a Fragmented World,” we discussed how diplomacy can promote compromise rather than polarization.

We emphasized that diplomacy is not merely a tool to be resorted to in times of crisis; it is also a transformative mind and a restorative will. Within this framework, we organized a total of 50 sessions. We hosted over 6,000 guests from 155 countries. 21 Heads of State and Government, 5 Deputy Heads of State and Government, 2 Speakers of Parliament, 2 Leaders of Autonomous Administrations, 64 Ministers, and 61 High-Level Representatives of International Organizations convened in Antalya. Besides, numerous representatives of think tanks, diplomats, scientists, and businesspeople participated in our Forum. From the Black Sea to the Middle East, from Africa to the Balkans, we have managed to bring together many actors at the centres of crises under one roof. We once again recalled the importance of collective wisdom and dialogue in conflict resolution during our sessions.

Our forum was also quite rich in terms of content. Participants and panellists thoroughly discussed topics, ranging from the transformative power of education to the reflections of science and artificial intelligence on diplomacy, and from energy security to digital competition, addressing not only the common horizon of states but also that of humanity. We discussed the future of globalization in the face of rising protectionism; how new partnerships can be shaped through regional ownership in the era of multipolarity. We addressed how the global security architecture can be improved to be more inclusive. In the sessions on Gaza and Syria, the search for the re-establishment of justice and human dignity came to the fore. We devoted a whole day to the Palestinian issue. We reiterated our faith in the power of diplomacy to alleviate the sufferings in our region. We addressed Africa's rising geopolitical role with particular attention throughout the Forum; we are also holding a special meeting with our African guests through the Africa House event. We emphasize at every opportunity on such platforms that countries remaining outside traditional power centres should take their rightful place in global governance.

At the Forum, we focused not only on geopolitical balances but also on fundamental values of humanity. We discussed how we can unite around shared values and address our common responsibilities on issues such as combating racism, empowering women, and forcibly displaced persons. Furthermore, the cultural events and side programs held during the forum added another dimension to the multifaceted nature of diplomacy.

Dear press members, there was also intense diplomatic traffic on the margins of the Forum. Our President met with various leaders. During the meetings, crucial topics were discussed and decisions were made. I also held talks with many of my counterparts, the Foreign Ministers. We held the Türkiye-Croatia-Bosnia and Herzegovina trilateral meeting here. We hosted the Organization of Islamic Cooperation – Arab League Contact Group meeting in an expanded format. We once again emphasized the vision of a two-state solution in the Middle East and our moral and political responsibilities towards the Palestinian people in the face of ongoing oppression. We will also hold a High-Level Security Mechanism meeting with Iraq today on this occasion. Participants also had the opportunity to meet with counterparts from different regions of the world on the margins of the Forum. This once again proved the “power of bringing people together” of our Forum.

For three days, we sought answers not only to today's questions but also to those regarding the future world order. As the world undergoes multi-axis transformations, global diplomacy also requires a new mindset, a new language, and courageous steps. All these sessions have shown us that the only force capable of standing up against fragmentation is meaningful diplomatic dialogue. As Türkiye, we continue to stand for a diplomatic approach based on regional ownership and cooperation in the face of global polarization. In this context, we will continue our efforts at full capacity to stop the bloodshed in Palestine. We are determined to be the voice of the Palestinians in the face of the genocide committed by Israel. We will continue to fight against threats to Syria's security and stability. We will continue to participate in all constructive efforts aiming at establishing a just and lasting peace in Ukraine. We will continue to play an active role in reshaping the European security architecture, of which we are an integral part. We believe that the European Union will also act with the same strategic foresight and vision. As Türkiye, we do not define our foreign policy within narrow geographical boundaries; we diversify our cooperation and multiply our bridges of friendship. We are deepening our global engagement based on shared interests and mutual respect, and we are signing projects for regional prosperity and development. We continue to bring the parties closer and act as mediators by building trust on critical issues. Consequently, we are resolutely advancing all these efforts in line with the goals indicated by our President and with the strength of political will.

Dear press members, I would like to express my gratitude to His Excellency Mr. President and Esteemed First Lady in your presence for their strong support to the Antalya Diplomacy Forum. We are grateful to all government officials for their support, especially Esteemed Vice President, the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye, and our distinguished Ministers, who have honoured our forum with their presence.

Behind this major event, there are months of intense preparation, hard work, and dedication. I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to all my colleagues.

Likewise, I would like to thank you, distinguished members of the press, for your contribution in ensuring that the messages of the Forum reach broader audiences.

As Türkiye, we will continue to stand for diplomacy, multilateralism, and the shared values of humanity.
I look forward to meeting you all again at the next Antalya Diplomacy Forum. With my highest regards.

Now, If you have any questions, I'm ready to take them.

QUESTION- Ecem Toplar, Bengü Türk Television.

There is an allegation that US President Donald Trump will also visit Türkiye as part of his trip to the region. It is also stated that there are ongoing plans for a possible visit to the United States by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Is there a finalised schedule, what is the latest situation, sir?

FOREIGN MINISTER HAKAN FİDAN- Dear friends; nothing has been finalized at this moment. Our efforts in this regard continue. Whether the meeting will take place in Türkiye or in the United States, and when it will take place, are subjects that are currently being discussed between our Ministries.

QUESTION- [SIMULTANEOUS TRANSLATION] Thank you, Mr. Minister. I am Abdulaziz Mücahit from Al Jazeera Television.

I would like to ask a question about the talks between Israel and Azerbaijan and Israel's ongoing attacks on Syria. Do you think these issues will be resolved through diplomatic means?

FOREIGN MINISTER HAKAN FIDAN- Dear friends, as we have stated earlier, our first priority in Syria is to ensure stability and security. At this point, all actors both inside and outside Syria must show utmost care and diligence. We must avoid any kind of provocation.
The extent of Türkiye's contribution to Syria's security requirements is clear. It is also obvious that Israel's long-standing operations within Syria actually serve instability rather than stability. On the other hand, in Syria, it is essential to establish rules for avoiding air conflicts, particularly at the technical and military levels, to ensure that the parties involved, whether Israeli, American, Turkish, or Russian, do not come into direct confrontation. In this context, there are ongoing discussions to prevent an accident. These are already being shared with the public as deemed appropriate. As I said, our aim is to prevent certain weapons used by warplanes and aircraft operating in the region from causing accidents.

QUESTION- [SIMULTANEOUS INTERPRETATION] Thank you very much. My name is Josephine Kamara. I represent a Sierra Leonean broadcasting organization. I come from West Africa.

Mr. Minister, we actively participated in this Forum, and our President was also here; he participated in the Forum. Many African countries are struggling with coups, transition periods, and economic recovery processes. In this regard, how can Türkiye contribute to the enrichment of African diplomatic institutions?

FOREIGN MINISTER HAKAN FIDAN—Thank you very much. In Africa, particularly in the post-colonial era, Türkiye will continue to support the maturation and consolidation of nation states, their struggle for independence and sovereignty – which naturally requires considerable effort – their institutional capacity, and state-building, as it always has. Türkiye will continue to utilize its long-standing state experience with the appropriate foreign policy tools, institutions, partners and stakeholders in Africa, both at the institutional level and through cooperation mechanisms with other states. Türkiye has had an Africa policy in this regard for many years, dating back to the Prime Ministerial period of our President. We will continue our work in line with this policy; that's all I can say for now.

QUESTION: Mr. Minister, Murat Sekban, A Haber.

Sir, Syrian President Ahmad al- Sharaa was also here; he attended the Antalya Diplomacy Forum. It was his second visit after a two-month break. He also had a meeting with President Erdoğan, and you were there too. Is President Erdoğan planning to visit Syria in the near future, and is there a schedule set for this? Thank you.

FOREIGN MINISTER HAKAN FIDAN- Dear friends, Our President has such an intention in general. We are working on identifying appropriate conditions date and venue. When this happens, he wishes to visit Syria.

QUESTION- I am Oğuz Şahin from Ekol TV.

Sir, the European security architecture was also discussed at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, and Mr. President expressed Türkiye's expectations. But what could be Türkiye's gains in this process? Türkiye is approaching this process very clearly. As Ankara, your stance, that is, the Government's stance, is clear, but which phase are we in? At least can the issue of visa liberalization be brought to the agenda? What is Türkiye expecting in this regard? Thank you.

FOREIGN MINISTER HAKAN FİDAN- Dear friends, as you know, discussions regarding the European security architecture are ongoing with European Union institutions, and they differ somewhat from the update of the Customs Union, visa issues, and other technical matters. The new security requirements in the European Union must be defined first. But as I have stated several times before, as a result of the current discussions, there is a single issue in European circles regarding security, and that concerns defense industry– let's not call it independence, but rather reducing dependence of defense industry– and there is serious will in this regard. A roadmap has been published regarding what the financial, technological, and manufacturing conditions should be. There is a study on how much funding countries will receive, how borrowing levels will be set, and what each country will do. There have been some demands and reactions regarding certain corrections to this study. While these issues were being discussed at the latest NATO Foreign Ministers meeting in Brussels, the group of countries including Türkiye, the United Kingdom, and the United States, which are both candidate countries for the European Union and work together with the European Union under the auspices of NATO, discussed what could be done and how the defense industry could be strengthened again in Europe. There is no ongoing open debate regarding force structure and other scenarios going beyond that.

QUESTION-Nevres el-Arfi, Al-Masdar Agency. We are very grateful that Türkiye has always supported Syria. Now Israel's attacks on Syria and Türkiye's interventions... What is the latest situation in these negotiations?

FOREIGN MINISTER HAKAN FİDAN- Dear friends, as I mentioned while answering the previous question, discussions and efforts to establish mechanisms related to conflict prevention and non-conflict are ongoing. As I said, these are technical military-level discussions and arrangements among all countries present on the ground. These are technical arrangements made between countries that have armed forces in the region, particularly those with aircraft, such as Russia, the United States, Türkiye, Israel, and Jordan. These efforts will continue.

QUESTION- [SIMULTANEOUS TRANSLATION] Thank you. My name is Muhammad Mehdi, and I am participating from Pakistan. I would like to ask a question. This was the fourth Antalya Diplomacy Forum.
What are the improvements in this fourth Forum compared to the previous three forums?

FOREIGN MINISTER HAKAN FIDAN- Dear friends, in addition to the three previous forums we have organized, we are progressing a little further each time and with this fourth one. Because, there is a lot of mental effort during the process and at the end of each forum, our colleagues come together to brainstorm and we conduct a series of feedback meetings. We are seeking answers to the questions: What happened? How can it be improved? What should be done? Thus, with each passing year, it becomes a more focused, better-developed platform that generates more contributions and benefits. This one was better than last year's, and hopefully next year's Forum will be more productive than this one.

QUESTION- My name is Sevban Durmaz, TVNET Television, sir.

On April 10, US and Russian delegations met in Istanbul, while the world's eyes and ears are on the news of whether Russia and Ukraine's war negotiations will be held in Türkiye or not. We know that the parties had previously met in Istanbul and then gathered once again on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum. Russian and Ukrainian delegations also participated in the Antalya Diplomacy Forum. Do you foresee the peace table being established in Türkiye in the upcoming period, Sir?

FOREIGN MINISTER HAKAN FİDAN - Thank you.

Dear friends, as you know, our President is strongly committed to making every possible contribution to peace. In this regard, we are carrying out our works as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in cooperation with other relevant institutions. How can we stop this ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia? How can we facilitate negotiations between the parties? This is not just Türkiye's but the world's problem, which is why many actors are involved. However, due to the relationship Türkiye has been able to maintain with both sides and the nature of that relationship, it possesses rare characteristics. We naturally seek to utilize them to contribute to peace.

They came together on April 10. Russian and American diplomats had met twice before. Their aim is to reopen certain areas that have been frozen, not completely but partially, in the past 5-6 years... They are discussing how to initiate certain consulate-related activities.

On the other hand, we are involved in a wide range of activities related to comprehensive peace talks, from providing host services to making significant contributions from time to time. Should the parties wish to convene in Türkiye, our door will always remain open. So long as there is peace.

QUESTION—Zarifa Abiyeva from Azerbaijan Baku TV. On 9 April, Türkiye and Israel met in Azerbaijan. What are the details of the meeting? Is there a possibility that subsequent meetings will take place in Azerbaijan?

FOREIGN MINISTER HAKAN FIDAN- Dear friends, I tried to explain this in the two questions asked earlier. Azerbaijan is our brotherly nation. We also extend our appreciation for their hospitality. As I mentioned, they are technical discussions related to the conflict resolution mechanism, particularly regarding the resolution of air traffic issues. These will continue when necessary, of course.

QUESTION - Thank you. Halime Gökçe, Star.

Thank you, Sir. We have had three very productive days. I have got a question regarding the United States and Israel... Could the differences between Netanyahu and Trump, which were reflected in a television program and which we all potentially considered to be a disagreement, be redirected in favour of Gaza? What is your assessment of this matter? Because while there is an impression that Trump is completely on Israel's side, there are also assessments that there could be potential for disagreement between Israel and the United States. You certainly know this much better. And then, well, Türkiye... Our President also stated on the sidelines of the ADF summit and he defined Israel as a terrorist state. His position is very clear, but how does this clarity carry potential in favour of Gaza? We haven't been able to feel this at visibly so far. Do you have any assessment on this?

One last question. I am asking in the context of your meetings with your counterparts. Do you feel that there is a growing anti-Israeli stance in world public opinion and world politics? Thank you very much.

FOREIGN MINISTER HAKAN FIDAN- Beginning with the last question, obviously, everyone has varying degrees of objection to the genocide committed by Israel. Some can say it openly, some can say it behind closed doors, some say it by raising their hands, as 156 states did in last year's vote at the United Nations, but ultimately there is significant opposition. Now, the fundamental problem is this: it is an issue on which almost the entire world agrees, but it cannot be stopped. This is where the crisis of legitimacy and the systemic crisis facing the world are manifesting themselves. That is why the criticism expressed by our President from the outset, that “The world is bigger than five” and “The world needs a new fair order,” is becoming apparent here. At this point, all of our colleagues agree on the following: The only country that will use force and exert influence over Israel, without resorting to war, is the United States of America. The continuation of the ongoing genocide has been enabled by American support, particularly through policies initiated during the Biden administration. With his initiative, upon coming to power, Mr. Trump has paved the way for a ceasefire. Our expectation is that steps will be taken towards achieving lasting peace while he is in the Presidential Office. All diplomatic circles agree that the new administration in the United States needs to be better informed on this matter, and the risks of the ongoing war need to be better explained to them.

QUESTION- Özge Ekmen, TRT World.

My question is: Could you please inform us about the latest steps taken in Syria, particularly in the context of the Israeli threat, within the framework of US-Türkiye relations, with the aim of ensuring security? Thank you.

FOREIGN MINISTER HAKAN FIDAN- Dear colleagues, our discussions with the new American administration on this matter are continuing at an increasingly rapid pace. As you know, the United States, like Türkiye, has a 360-degree foreign policy engagement area. The new administration is busy making new appointments on the one hand and developing new policies from its own perspective as it takes over the files. Frankly, during this period, as certain policy preferences regarding Syria became clearer, we held necessary discussions and continue to do so. At this point, as you know, we have processes and mechanisms that began in the previous period. In addition to these, we have ongoing work with the new administration. Our aim is to see what kind of contribution we can make to the new administration's constructive approaches in particular. Türkiye's national security priorities and positions are very clear and well-defined. We have shared this with the public countless times and will continue to do so. We have a clear stance on these well-known issues, namely the fight against terrorism, the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Syria, the fight against Daesh, the end of the PKK's occupation, its disarmament, and many other issues. We are continuing our efforts to determine how we can address this issue with the American presence in the region during the new administration. As you know, this is not only Türkiye's problem, but also the question of what will happen in Syria. It is an issue that closely concerns other countries that are neighbours and in the vicinity of Syria, a multi-stakeholder issue. Therefore, we are advancing the issue by involving other stakeholder countries in the discussion. I can say that it is progressing positively.

QUESTION- Channel 3 Television, Mehmet Cuma Keklik.

My question is as follows: It is common knowledge that Israel has been maintaining close relations with the Greek Cypriot Administration of Southern Cyprus for some time. Furthermore, there are military agreements between the Greek Cypriot side and some Western countries. On the other hand, there is increasing racism on the Greek Cypriot side. We would like to hear your assessment of this.

FOREIGN MINISTER HAKAN FIDAN- Dear friends, we are closely monitoring this ongoing relationship network in the Mediterranean. Some of it may fall into the category of normal relations between nation states. Some of them may be attempts to form a certain security, political and economic front against Türkiye; we are monitoring these very closely. We are making necessary warnings and taking initiatives as appropriate in this regard.

QUESTION: Honourable Minister, Halime actually asked the question, but I would like to ask it in a slightly more specific way.

My name is Rukiye Yıldız, and I am from Haber Ajanda Magazine.

Honourable Minister, mass graves for children are being created in Gaza. There is a genocide taking place that is rarely seen in history. This genocide is in violation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Copenhagen Criteria, and even the Magna Carta rules that the West has imposed on the world for years. Will there be deterrent sanctions from the world community in general, and Islamic countries in particular? Is there a coalition like D-8 for Gaza with deterrent sanctions? You emphasised that consultations are ongoing. If so, could you share the main points with us?

My second question is: Israel is trying to expand from the Golan Heights towards northern Syria. What is Türkiye's view on the matter, and how do you assess this situation diplomatically? Thank you, with my regards.

FOREIGN MINISTER HAKAN FIDAN- Dear friends, as you know, Islamic countries have very little room for manoeuvre regarding sanctions, except for a few countries like Türkiye that recognize Israel, because they do not recognize Israel. There is no relationship. They cannot break off relations if they do not recognize... Can other types of steps be taken, can more issues be raised? Our efforts in this regard are, of course, ongoing. But at the end of the day, the reality remains that this crime against humanity, this genocide, will not end as long as support from Europe and America, where greater capital and political power are concentrated, continues. The cost that this incurs on the international system manifests itself naturally in different forms and different places, and will continue to do so. Some are showing themselves immediately, while others manifest themselves elsewhere in the medium and long term; this is a historical reality. Work on this issue continues. But, sensitivity towards Gaza must absolutely continue.

QUESTION- Xu Heqian from the Chinese media outlet Caixin. First of all, I would like to thank your team for this extremely effective Diplomacy Forum. It has really enabled us to have very comprehensive discussions on the political platform here.

My view is this: When we see the programme at this forum, we can truly see the significant contribution Türkiye has made to the 1.5 billion people around this country. Yesterday and the day before, President Erdoğan stated that Türkiye’s focus is more on human values. However, in this press conference, could you tell us more directly and realistically how your government has developed the strategic assets it has accumulated over the past 20 years... And as Foreign Minister, how will you use these resources in the areas of influence that extends from the Western Balkans to the Sahara, from Syria to even Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan? And how will your country contribute to this extremely important region of the world in the future?

FOREIGN MINISTER HAKAN FIDAN- Thank you, that is a truly important and comprehensive question. It concerns the parameters of the foreign policy we have pursued over the last 20 years in our immediate region and beyond. This deserves a long answer, but to summarize, dear friends, I can say this very comfortably: Türkiye's own strategic mind, intellect emerge from its history, culture, values, social sociology and interactions. Of course, strong and stable leadership is needed for this strategic mind, will, and vision to be reflected in international politics. Look, two parameters are very important. Strong and stable leadership based on popular legitimacy. For it to be strong, your leader must be strong, the political movement must be strong, the base it relies on must be strong, and the ideas it defends must be just, rational and realistic. For it to be long-term, it must be favoured by the people and be re-elected successively. In our region, we see either a long-term, unchanging, rule-bound structure which is independent of leaders and operates autonomously, such as the European Union, or a foreign policy behaviour that is truly based on leadership, on strong and stable leadership, such as Türkiye. The European Union chose not to involve Türkiye in its structure. European Union countries delegate part of their foreign policy preferences to European Union institutions, so the process is different there. However, we see that countries of a certain scale, such as Türkiye, China, Japan, Russia, Korea, Brazil, and India, can play a constructive and effective role in foreign policy as long as they develop strong friendships and have stable and strong leadership. In our own geographical area, historical sphere, and regions where we have developed cooperation, there has emerged a foreign policy reality over the past 20 years by utilising these two factors. This is what we are experiencing today, friends.

QUESTION: Thank you, my name is Abdülhamid Sayen.

My father named me after Sultan Abdülhamid. Actually, there are many questions about Gaza, and I would like to ask a question about it. The Palestinian people have lost faith in their Arab neighbours and are looking to Türkiye for hope. The genocide continues even as we speak today. This morning, another massacre took place in a hospital in Gaza. In this sense, what can Türkiye do beyond simply defining Israel as a terrorist state? What can it do beyond supporting the Palestinians with words? Practical steps need to be taken. Can Türkiye really do something different to stop this genocide? You have a lot of resources you can use against the state called Israel. Can you cut your relations with them, can you exert pressure, can you do more to stop this genocide? Thank you.

FOREIGN MINISTER HAKAN FIDAN- This is truly a sensitive issue for us, one that concerns us deeply. Thank you for your question regarding the Gaza issue. We wholeheartedly share the same sensitivities. As you know, Türkiye has taken all possible actions within its area of influence from the beginning. In terms of bilateral relations, we have taken all steps, from recalling our ambassador to cutting off trade relations. Within the framework of multilateral relations, particularly in the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the D-8, European Union platforms, and the Arab League, there are serious efforts underway regarding what can be done. But as I said before, Islamic countries can influence a genocide openly supported by the European Union and the United States to a certain extent through their joint stance. From now on, I believe it would be more appropriate for Islamic countries to continue their diplomatic efforts and exertions, not on Israel, as I said, but on the United States.

QUESTION- I am participating from Azerbaijan, my name is Hayale Reis.

I would like to ask two questions. First, how do you assess Azerbaijan's role in the reconstruction of Syria, in the Syrian issue? My other question is: Azerbaijan is currently hosting talks between Türkiye and Israel. What are the details of these talks and is there a result? Thank you.

FOREIGN MINISTER HAKAN FIDAN: Dear friends, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev is in close consultation with Türkiye, particularly on Syria, and our consultations are continuing on how we can contribute to Syria's stability, economy, infrastructure, and security. Naturally, any contribution Azerbaijan has made and will make in this regard is valuable. We also greatly appreciate their requests and policies to coordinate this work with Türkiye. As is evident in every area, not only are there feelings of brotherhood between Azerbaijan and Türkiye, but also a well-functioning, professional cooperation between state institutions.

QUESTION - Mr. Minister, my name is Zandile Ndlovu. I represent the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation and Transmedia Africa.

Türkiye and European countries are working on geopolitical and defence issues. In light of the customs tariffs currently imposed by the United States, what is Türkiye doing to increase trade with its African partners? In this regard, you have significant experience, particularly in the agricultural sector and many mechanical sectors. What are you doing to share this with your African friends?

FOREIGN MINISTER HAKAN FIDAN- Thank you very much.

It is clear that Türkiye's relations with Africa are multidimensional. We have a relationship that has been ongoing for years and is becoming increasingly sophisticated. We have embassies in more than 40 African countries. We are intensely interested in not only the northern Africa, but also the south, the centre, the east, the west, and every part of the continent. The relationship Türkiye maintains through its institutions covers areas such as education, culture, arts, economy, and defence industry, but most importantly, there is a significant flow of relations through its companies. Important investments are being made. Turkish companies are operating in African countries. Our companies, which are also closely involved in agriculture and food issues, are coming to Africa in increasing numbers every day. At this stage, we have the following problem: we have issues, particularly around the concept of business development. There is a clear need to develop both knowledge and relationships regarding business development in business environments of Africa, whether in mining, agriculture, healthcare, or the energy. This needs to be a two-way process. There is a role for Türkiye to play, as well as a role for the host countries. Our businesspeople and business organisations, particularly DEİK, are working systematically on this. It is gratifying to see that Türkiye is sharing its domestically developed business capacity—namely, in construction, infrastructure, technology, and agriculture—with Africa not merely as a business sector but as an area for development cooperation. I believe that providing Western-standard services at low prices in African countries, which many Western companies do not go to, is truly of great value in this day and age. For this, I would like to thank the Turkish businesspeople who operate in a variety of uncertain environments there. I would also like to express my appreciation and gratitude to the African countries that host them, open their countries to them, and trust Turkish businesspeople.

QUESTION- TRT News, Cansu Doğan.

In recent months, a joint mechanism was established to combat Daesh, and its first meeting took place in Jordan. You said that an operations centre would be established for this purpose and that the technical work for this was actually nearing completion. What is the latest situation? I would appreciate your assessment.

FOREIGN MINISTER HAKAN FIDAN- Of course, with pleasure. Dear press members, we continued our work on this issue last week. Mixed delegations met in Ankara under the chairmanship of our Deputy Minister. Security, intelligence and diplomatic officials from each of the partner countries came together and worked on how to put this mechanism into practice. We are close to conclusion on this matter. I hope, we will implement this on the ground with the countries as soon as possible.

QUESTION - Sinan Tavşan, reporter for Japan's Nikkei newspaper.

Approximately one-third of the countries registered with the UN are represented by their Foreign Ministers here, and you have met with most of them. President Trump has announced tariffs, and trade diversions are likely to be an issue. In your remarks today, based on your impressions over these three days, is your perception that everyone is leaning more towards raising these customs barriers, or will they move towards accelerating trade agreements among themselves, either bilaterally or in groups, as a way to increase trade among these states?

One more question: Last year, you had a visit to Japan that was postponed. Will it be on the agenda this year? Thank you.

FOREIGN MINISTER HAKAN FIDAN: Let me start from the last question. Of course, I hope to carry out the postponed visit to Japan. Japan is an important partner and friend of ours; we need to do this.

On the other hand, dear press members, when African countries come together, especially on such platforms, we encounter the following issue: while customs tariffs and other trade practices have long been the primary concern of countries that have made progress in this area, we do not see some countries that have not been able to become more active players in foreign trade or utilise their potential to the same extent demonstrating the same level of awareness or response. What we see here is the issue of how African countries can increase trade among themselves and how they can come together with other countries. In other words, there is currently a cluster engaged in the intense activity of figuring out how to develop a level of commercial capacity that will enable them to take advantage of international opportunities and risks. We see that African countries, particularly those that have achieved political stability and unity, are opening up very intensively to world trade and the global economy. We see that this opening is increasingly finding its place on more structural platforms. But there is a very dynamic process, and this dynamic process is progressing in such a complex equation, depending on sociological developments, political stability and instability, economic opportunities, and the degree of external intervention. We are following it closely.

QUESTION- Minister, Elif Sena Darbaz, from the Daily Sabah newspaper.

I would like to follow up on some of the answers you gave to a few questions. You mentioned the Islamic world. Is there a plan for a new diplomatic initiative led by Türkiye to achieve a common stance within the Islamic world, led by Türkiye, on the issue of Gaza? Thank you.

FOREIGN MINISTER HAKAN FIDAN: Dear press members, these issues are being discussed in the appropriate forums. Most recently, on Friday, as the Foreign Ministers of the member countries of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and the Arab League, we met with the Contact Group. As you know, there are seven countries representing these organisations. We then held an expanded meeting with representatives from the European Union and the permanent members of the UN Security Council. In both platforms, especially in the first session, we discussed what work we have done so far, what impact it has had, and what it has not had. In other words, the work is intense, good, and diligent; everyone agrees, there is no problem in this sense, but we just discussed the impact and explained the reasons. On this basis, we prepared an action paper on what else could be done and how more creative strategies could be used. For now, this is just between us; with your permission, I will not share it with the public. You will see this as the activities unfold. But let me say this: each of my counterparts, my fellow ministers, are working incredibly hard, they are fully committed to this issue, and they are just as concerned about it as I am, as we are. We see that actors in neighbouring countries, particularly Egypt and Jordan, who are very close to the issue, are even more concerned, not only because of the feelings and unease they feel about the killing of Palestinians, but also because their own countries are at risk. Our friends are genuinely moved when they see that we support them on international and regional platforms and that we are as committed to this issue, which concerns them so closely, as they are. They too are experiencing what friendship, solidarity and brotherhood mean in these difficult times alongside us.

Dear press members; I would like to convey my sincere thanks for your interest, your contributions, and being here. We have reached the end of the time allocated to me, and my colleagues are also warning.

If possible, we would have taken more questions, but I think we answered about 20 questions. Once again, I would like to thank you very much for your contributions and your efforts.

Have a good day.

Remain in good health.

* Deciphered by Interpress - unofficial translation from the Turkish text.