Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said that they hosted the first meeting of the Balkan Peace Platform in Istanbul and said, “The stability of the Balkans is of great importance for the peace and security of the contiguous regions, especially in Europe. This geography is not only strategic but also cultural and human vineyards.” he said.
Fidan spoke at a press conference after the Balkan Peace Platform meeting held in a hotel in Istanbul and answered questions.
Stating that Istanbul is located in the center of a very intense diplomacy traffic, Fidan reminded that they hosted the talks between Ukraine and Russia on Wednesday and that the nuclear meetings between Iran-Germany-Britain-France took place in Istanbul yesterday.
Fidan stated that they hosted the first meeting of the Balkan Peace Platform in Istanbul, that President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan gave the instruction of this meeting and that the leaders of other countries declared interest in this issue and thus they met with the participants from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Northern Macedonia, Serbia, Albania and Kosovo.
Minister Fidan said that the Balkans are a strategic intersection point between Europe, Middle East, Mediterranean and Black Sea basins, and that the balance of political, economic and security has been at the center of the balance of political, economic and security throughout history.
Stating that the Balkans maintain their same importance today, Fidan said:
“The stability of the Balkans is also of great importance for the peace and security of the contiguous regions, especially in Europe. This geography is not only strategic for Turkey, but also an area of priority intertwined with cultural and human vineyards. We believe that the cooperation between the countries of the region will become permanent in the Balkans. “
Stating that the Balkan Peace Platform also constitutes a new ring of regional ownership approaches, Fidan emphasized that it is to develop a result -oriented and original structure that has sincerely dealt with the problems of its goals, providing regular contacts between the parties.
Fidan expressed that the word Balkans wanted to create a floor in which they will be used in terms of cooperation and solidarity, not division and separation, and that they strive to contribute to the welfare and peace of both their regions and their immediate circles.
“We aim to support existing mechanisms, not to replace any process. Fidan said today that they came together with the participants to find Balkan problems and to create concrete projects.
“We cannot leave our future to coincidences or to others’ hands”
Fidan, the participants with the regional issues of the region, all the Balkans stability and prosperity of priority emphasized that the establishment of the establishment of the establishment.
“In addition to the political developments in the region, we have exchanged views on many titles, including energy security, strengthening connection and regional cooperation and capacity construction opportunities. Of course, we have also evaluated the future of the Balkan Peace Platform. Fidan, who uses his statements, stressed that there is a common will to continue the meetings at regular intervals and to give priority to projects that will embody regional cooperation.
Fidan pointed out that crises on a global scale are intertwined, international norms are eroded and uncertainties have increased.
Fidan pointed out that there is a need for strengthening of regional dialogue mechanisms more than ever, that decisions about their regions should be taken together and made the following assessment:
“We have a common history and the painful and beautiful aspects of this history. However, we should not allow us to condemn us to the dilemmas of the past. We should take lessons from our common history and take responsibility for the future together. We cannot leave our future to coincidences or others’ hands.”
Fidan said that they wish the Balkan Peace Platform to serve this search and that they started this initiative with an effort to work together for a Balkans who produce together and see their differences as wealth.
(Will continue)
