MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF FINLAND ELINA VALTONEN- [SIMULTANEOUS INTERPRETATION]

https://www.youtube.com/live/nKZMlkI4tb0?si=ICVo7Efy2tApFdaA

FOREIGN MINISTER HAKAN FİDAN- [SIMULTANEOUS INTERPRETATION] Thank you. With your permission, I will talk in Turkish.

[TURKISH] Dear press members, first of all, I would like to thank my esteemed colleague Ms. Elina Valtonen for her hospitality.

We frequently come across on international platforms, hold meetings, share our ideas, and have an intense working dialogue. When we cannot meet, we definitely exchange views on important issues over the phone.

Today, I am also very pleased to be on a bilateral visit to Finland, our friend and ally. We had very productive discussions with herself and her delegation today.

Today, we will also have the opportunity to meet with Mr. Jussi Halla-aho, Speaker of the Parliament of Finland. During this visit, we will also have the opportunity to participate as a speaker in an event organized by a think-tank at the Parliament of Finland.

There, we will have the chance to meet with Finnish MPs and other high-level officials, especially the members of Türkiye-Finland Parliamentary Friendship Group.

Yesterday, I also had the opportunity to meet with our Tatar brothers and sisters living in Finland. It truly pleases us that the Tatars here contribute to the social and cultural life of this country while preserving their identity.

Dear press members, we comprehensively discussed our bilateral relations in our meetings today. We evaluated the joint steps to take in the upcoming period. We are making intensive efforts to develop our economic relations. Trade volume between Türkiye and Finland reached approximately $1.8 billion in 2024. We are ready for closer cooperation in areas such as information technology and renewable energy. We actually believe that the Arctic region can also offer opportunities for our cooperation. The defence industry is another area of cooperation with Finland.

As you know, we signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Defence Industry Cooperation last June. This document opened the way for a new era between the two countries in the areas of joint production, technology sharing, and capability development.

We aim to further develop our defence industry cooperation through concrete projects involving our institutions and companies. We view this cooperation, which will strengthen NATO's deterrence, as a step that will also contribute to Europe's security and defence industry capacity.

Dear press members, we held a meeting with the Foreign Ministers of the Nordic countries on the occasion of the NATO Summit last December. We attach great importance to deepening our dialogue with the Nordic countries on security issues. Today, I also discussed matters regarding European security with my esteemed counterpart, who is also chairing the OSCE in 2025. Türkiye is a NATO ally that makes critical contributions to European security. In this context, it is of great importance that Türkiye be included in the EU's defence and security initiatives, particularly the SAFE mechanism.

We also had the opportunity to assess the relations between Türkiye and the European Union during today's meetings. I would like to express my gratitude for Finland's support for Türkiye’s EU membership process from the very beginning.

It is high time that the EU approaches its relations with Türkiye from a long-term, realistic, and strategic perspective. In the current period, we frankly need a perspective to strengthen mutual trust and advance our cooperation. To this end, we consider it extremely important to activate and regularize high-level dialogue mechanisms. We believe that updating the Customs Union and advancing the Visa Liberalization Dialogue is in the interests of both sides. The recent facilitative steps by the EU regarding Schengen visa procedures are a positive sign of goodwill.

Dear press members, we are working together with Finland to contribute to global peace and security efforts. In this context, my esteemed colleague and I are co-chairing the Groups of Friends of Mediation within the United Nations and the OSCE.

Today, we also had the opportunity to discuss the war between Russia and Ukraine with the esteemed Minister. Speaking of Russia, I would like to thank Ms. Minister especially. She had given me a book about Russia by Mauno Koivisto, a former President of Finland: “The Russian Idea.” I had the opportunity to read it before coming here. I also would like to thank her for the book. Türkiye believes that a just and lasting peace can only be achieved through diplomacy. The difficulties will not change our determined stance towards achieving peace through dialogue and negotiation. It is of great importance that efforts in this regard are shaped by a realistic understanding that reflects the minimum common grounds between the parties and consistent with the dynamics on the ground. We are continuing our efforts to establish peace through effective and constructive cooperation with our international partners.

One of the items on today's agenda was the latest developments in Gaza. Since the ceasefire was declared, approximately two hundred and fifty Palestinians have lost their lives in Israeli attacks. However, we expect the ceasefire to continue despite all the difficulties, for the next stage to commence, and for the international community to fulfil its responsibility in this regard. Türkiye is also doing its part. There are ongoing efforts, particularly at the United Nations. There are intense negotiations and discussions on how to implement the Peace Plan. The entry of humanitarian aid is insufficient, and there are various complaints about this. We are also continuing our efforts to make them more effective.

Dear press members, I would like to once again express my gratitude to our host, Ms. Valtonen, for this productive meeting and for her contributions to our bilateral cooperation.

QUESTION- [SIMULTANEOUS INTERPRETATION] I would like to ask my question to Ms. Valtonen, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Finland. What is your opinion about Türkiye’s contributions to European security?

Additionally, how do you assess Türkiye’s potential support for and participation in the Security Action for Europe (SAFE)?

[TURKISH] I also have a question for Mr. Fidan. Sir, there is a high-level visit traffic from European capitals to Ankara. At the same time, you are also visiting the capitals of EU member states. At this point, you stated that if the European Union reciprocates Türkiye's determined position, significant progress could be made in a short time. From which perspective do you see Türkiye's relations with the European Union during this period?

Thank you.

MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF FINLAND ELINA VALTONEN- [SIMULTANEOUS INTERPRETATION]

https://www.youtube.com/live/nKZMlkI4tb0?si=2eE9ZmxbpxK-HkcM&t=752

FOREIGN MINISTER HAKAN FİDAN- Dear friends, as you know, after every election, once the people grant legitimacy to the President through the elections, Mr. President makes important statements and provides guidance regarding our foreign policy. Likewise, following the presidential elections in May 2023, our President made a declaration of will that Türkiye’s strategic journey towards the European Union remains unchanged and that the goal of membership is fully intact. In this regard, our society also gives broad support, provided that certain conditions are met.

Essentially, from our perspective, that is, in terms of geostrategic relations and foreign policy, the world, and indeed Europe, has entered into a new strategic equation. Looking specifically at the new US foreign policy, we see that it has actually brought about an understanding, in which countries of a region take ownership of their own problems rather than global interventionism. Here, of course, as European countries belonging to the European geography, it is essential that we come together and solve economic, political, and security issues together. We believe that the European Union, one of the best examples of regional ownership, would be incomplete without Türkiye, especially in the new state of affairs, and that actually, Türkiye would also be missing a leg in the region without the European Union. Therefore, the European Union and Türkiye must advance the current integration process at once, without any excuses. We, as the Government and as the State, are fully committed to this matter.

We consider it valuable that European leaders have reaffirmed their willingness on this matter in this new period. In particular, German Chancellor Merz's clear statement of support for Türkiye’s EU accession process during his press conference in Türkiye last week was certainly a valuable statement. The fact that many European states have declared their willingness in this regard is, in our view, an important first step towards overcoming the obstacles currently blocking progress. As you know, some decisions and events of recent years have hampered progress on certain issues. But now both sides have declared, and renewed their willingness. The spirit of the times also clearly dictates and necessitates this. As long as willingness is expressed on this matter, all other technical work will be carried out and completed in a timely and professional manner. What is important here is that both European countries and Türkiye demonstrate a sincere willingness and continue on the path. I see a new beginning on this matter.

QUESTION- [SIMULTANEOUS INTERPRETATION] My question will be for Mr. Fidan.

What are Türkiye's thoughts on Finland's non-recognition of the State of Palestine?

FOREIGN MINISTER HAKAN FİDAN: Of course, I would frankly like Finland to recognize the State of Palestine. As you know, more than 150 countries currently recognize Palestine as a state. I am sure Finland has its own reasons and internal political dynamics. But the fact that Finland officially supports the two-state solution at this moment, defending and supporting the ceasefire process, and is ready to provide support to possible humanitarian aid is important for us.

MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF FINLAND ELINA VALTONEN- [SIMULTANEOUS INTERPRETATION]

https://www.youtube.com/live/nKZMlkI4tb0?si=gLXM6H3Ih7kMkC24&t=1181

* Deciphered by Interpress - unofficial translation from the Turkish text