Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan spoke at the “Türkiye-US Relations as we Enter the 100th Year” Panel organized by the Presidential Directorate of Communications in New York.
Stating that as US-Turkey diplomatic relations approach their 100th anniversary, there is an opportunity to evaluate what the partnership between the two countries has achieved so far and what it can achieve in the future, Fidan said, “Our relationship has proven its time-tested and lasting value. Two geographically distant countries have become partners and allies with influence far beyond our borders. Our relationship has continued to exist despite disputes, crises and dramatic changes in the international system.” gave his message.
Fidan pointed out that both countries were able to overcome difficulties because they were aware of the critical value of the partnership.
“WE ARE DETERMINED TO REALIZE THE FULL POTENTIAL OF OUR COOPERATION AND TO SOLVE THE ISSUES THAT CREATE OBSTACLES”
Underlining that Turkey-US relations have gained a strong and renewed momentum today, Fidan said, “The exceptional relationship between President (Recep Tayyip) Erdoğan and (US) President Donald Trump plays a central role in the current breakthrough.” made his assessment.
Foreign Minister Fidan stated that it is necessary to transform this momentum into concrete gains and institutionalize cooperation not only for the two countries but also for the preservation of peace and stability in the region.
Fidan said, “As we enter the 2nd century of our diplomatic relations, we are determined to realize the full potential of our cooperation and resolve the issues that pose obstacles. For this, we need to evaluate where we are and set clear goals for what we can achieve together.” he said.
“Türkiye AND THE USA HAVE THE EXPERIENCE, CAPACITY, DIPLOMATIC REACH AND, MOST IMPORTANTLY, THE POLITICAL WILL TO RESPOND TO ALL THESE CRISIS TOGETHER”
Pointing out that the international system has undergone one of its deepest transformations, Fidan noted that the balance of power around the world has changed, economic competition has intensified and technology has reshaped the known world.
Noting that global security and governance institutions are having difficulty responding to these developments, Fidan continued: “Unresolved conflicts affect other regions through energy prices, migration, trade, terrorism and food security. Combating these challenges requires effective partnership and shared responsibility. Turkey and the USA have the experience, capacity, diplomatic access and, most importantly, the political will to respond to all these crises together.”
Emphasizing that President Erdoğan’s visit to Washington in 2025 and President Trump’s visit to Ankara in July this year demonstrates the common determination to advance bilateral relations in all areas, Fidan said, “This helps us make progress on long-standing issues.” he said.
Stating that the two countries have significant room to expand their economic partnership, Fidan said, “Our economic relationship is expanding steadily in terms of both trade and investments, and bilateral trade volume has reached approximately 40 billion dollars. In 2025, the USA became Türkiye’s 3rd largest export market and 4th largest import source. Our balanced trade creates a solid foundation for expansion.” made his assessment.
Recalling that President Erdoğan set a target of 100 billion dollars, Fidan said, “Our goal is a more comprehensive economic partnership that advances high value-added production and economic security. To achieve this goal, we need to remove obstacles, especially additional tariffs.” he said.
“WE NEED TO REMOVE OBSTACLES AND LIMITATIONS”
Fidan stated that defense cooperation has been another strong pillar of Turkey-US relations for a long time and said, “We must solve the ongoing problems and remove the restrictions that limit cooperation. These restrictions should have no place between the two allies. Our presidents have demonstrated a strong political will to turn their common understanding into concrete results.” he said.
Pointing out that the removal of restrictions will help companies further develop their partnerships in different parts of the world, Fidan pointed out that energy is another area where close cooperation can provide concrete and significant gains.
Foreign Minister Fidan stated that the USA is now Türkiye’s leading energy supplier and noted that long-term agreements strengthen this relationship.
“SYRIA FREE OF TERRORISM AND ITS TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY WILL BE A SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS”
Fidan said, “This solid bilateral basis and common strategic vision also provides us with a stronger basis to produce regional peace and security. We already cooperate on regional and global issues from the Middle East to the Caucasus and the Balkans. Our common interest in the Middle East lies in finding sovereign and stable states that have the capacity to provide security and prosperity in our region.” he said.
Pointing out that this started in Syria and Iraq, Fidan continued as follows: “We aim to strengthen national institutions so that they can govern effectively and not provide any opportunity for terrorist organizations to operate. A Syria that is free from terrorism and whose territorial integrity is preserved will be an important progress in terms of regional security and prosperity.”
“WE NEED TO ADOPTE REGIONAL APPRECIATION”
Fidan noted that while advancing common goals for greater regional security, it is necessary to keep in mind that local solutions have a higher chance of being implemented, and said:
“For this reason, we believe that regional countries should assume more responsibility for the security and stability of their own geographies. Therefore, we need to embrace and advance regional ownership. With this understanding, we established the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement together with Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. This alliance provides an institutional basis to support regional peace and security through regional ownership and security cooperation. We welcome President Trump’s support for this initiative.”
“WE EXPECT THE USA TO USE ITS INFLUENCE ON ISRAEL MORE”
Fidan stated that strong regional security in the Middle East also strengthens the military security pillar and the security architecture of Europe, and on the other hand, he warned that interconnected threats could disrupt joint efforts.
Listing the Iran War, the conflict in Yemen and Israel’s destabilizing policies and actions throughout the region, Fidan said, “These threats reinforce each other and block diplomacy. Combating them requires effective regional responsibility and close cooperation with the USA. We especially expect the USA to use its influence more on Israel to end its policies that harm both regional and global peace and stability.” he said.
Foreign Minister Fidan said Gaza remains a central test of our common capacity to build security, cooperation and prosperity in the region and beyond.
Stating that the genocide in Gaza and the ongoing atrocities against civilians in Palestine have deeply wounded the global conscience and irreparably shaken the trust in the international system, Fidan underlined that finding a permanent solution to the Palestine issue remains important for the stability of the Middle East and beyond.
Fidan noted that Türkiye supports President Trump’s efforts to end the Gaza crisis, and that the commitments set out in the peace plan must now be fully implemented.
“OUR GOAL IN THE 2ND CENTURY IS TO USE PARTNERSHIP FOR GLOBAL BENEFIT”
Pointing out that Turkey-US cooperation can also act together in neighboring regions to promote peace and stability, Fidan stated that they support the peace process between Azerbaijan and Armenia in the Caucasus, aim to reduce the risks of escalation in tension in the Black Sea, ensure navigation security and make the Black Sea a source of cooperation, not a source of problems.
Foreign Minister Fidan said, “As we approach the 100th anniversary, our history proves what we can achieve together. I firmly believe that this strong momentum, strengthened by the chemistry between President Erdoğan and President Trump, will help us institutionalize and deepen our cooperation in different regions and on different issues.” made his assessment.
UKRAINE, BALKANS, LIBYA AND SUDAN…
Fidan stated that they also support dialogue and diplomacy to achieve permanent peace in Ukraine, and that communication channels continue with both Kiev and Moscow for this purpose.
Pointing out that in the Balkans, the tensions in Bosnia-Herzegovina and between Serbia and Kosovo should be addressed before they deepen, Fidan said, “Close coordination and preventive diplomacy can help preserve and strengthen the fragile stability in these regions. We act with the same principle; strengthening legitimate institutions, supporting regional ownership and establishing a strong bond between security and economic opportunity.” he said.
Reiterating that the transformation in the international order requires more regional ownership, Fidan stated that it also requires the establishment of an effective partnership between global powers and regional actors with capacity.
Stating that US-Turkey cooperation in some challenging areas such as Libya, Sudan or crises across Africa makes a real difference in long-term conflicts, Fidan said, “In the 2nd century of our diplomatic relations with the USA, our goal is to use the Turkish-American partnership for the greater benefit of global peace and stability.” he said.
