Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stated that the political problems they face in the Balkans are a series of problems that come from history and said, “We have only one way: to do our best to solve these problems through peace and dialogue.”
Fidan spoke at a joint press conference following his meeting with North Macedonian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Timco Mucunski in Skopje.
Thanking his North Macedonian counterpart for his hospitality, Fidan said that he had visited North Macedonia and Skopje many times during his various duties over the last 20 years.
“Turkey has supported North Macedonia unwaveringly since its independence and will continue to do so,” said Fidan, congratulating the new government established in North Macedonia.
Minister Fidan emphasized that they will have a busy schedule today and that they had very productive meetings with the North Macedonian delegation.
Drawing attention to the meetings he held with high-level officials in North Macedonia, Fidan recalled that he met with North Macedonian President Gordana Siljanovska Davkova during her visit to Skopje in June on the occasion of the Southeastern European Countries Cooperation Process Summit.
Fidan underlined that Turkey attaches great importance to the friendship, cooperation and alliance of North Macedonia, and said that they talked with Minister Mucunski about advancing the relations further in the new period in North Macedonia.
?Economic relations between the two countries
Minister Fidan noted that he and his counterpart exchanged ideas on the paths to be followed to establish a “High Level Strategic Cooperation Council” with the approval of the leaders of the two countries in order to establish relations within an institutional framework.
Fidan emphasized that Turkey told its interlocutors that its “intentions are serious” on this issue, and drew attention to the fact that Turkey wants to raise the economic cooperation between the two countries to a level befitting political relations.
Underlining that the trade volume between Turkey and North Macedonia is aimed to be increased to 2 billion dollars, Fidan stated that they discussed with Mucunski what steps should be taken in this regard.
Fidan said that Turkey is closely following the development efforts in North Macedonia and that it is believed that development will accelerate during the newly established government period.
Stating that Turkish companies have the means to make significant contributions to North Macedonia in this process, Fidan explained that these companies are encouraged to increase their investments in the country.
Fidan pointed out the importance of cooperation in the fields of energy and military in relations between the two countries, and said, “I believe that issues such as participation in military training and exercises will gain significant momentum in the coming period. Defense industry companies in our country are at the forefront in the world, and I would like to emphasize that these companies are ready to contribute to North Macedonia.”
Fidan said that North Macedonia has a “special” place for him and touched on the importance of the Ottoman works in the country in terms of the cultural richness of North Macedonia.
Fidan said that the works restored with the support of Turkish institutions are also a center of attraction in terms of tourism and that they are pleased with this.
Minister Fidan emphasized that support in the cultural field will continue unabated in the coming period.
The place of the Turkish community in the relations between the two countries
Fidan, drawing attention to the fact that one of the most important ties between friendly and brotherly North Macedonia and Turkey is the Turkish community in this country, said that many Turks who migrated from North Macedonia in the past and people from different communities live in Turkey today as Turkish citizens.
Fidan pointed out that these human relations connect the two countries like a stone bridge over the Vardar, and emphasized that they attach importance to the positive development of relations between all communities in North Macedonia and the preservation of this harmony.
Fidan stated that they believe that the rights and demands of the Turkish community based on law will be observed by all authorities in North Macedonia, and noted the following:
“Likewise, I am sure that the new government will embrace the Turkish society regarding the demands for education in the mother tongue within the framework of the law and the infrastructure needs. I also believe that the new government will be sensitive about the fight against terrorism, especially FETÖ. FETÖ poses a serious threat not only to Turkey but also to the countries where it is present. We expect North Macedonia to give stronger support to the fight against this terrorist organization.”
Türkiye has always been active in the Balkans
Fidan stated that he and his counterpart Mucunski also discussed regional issues during today’s meeting, and emphasized that the Balkans have geostrategic importance.
Fidan pointed out that the Balkans are in a region that directly affects the security and prosperity of Europe, and said that they have lived together in friendship and brotherhood for centuries, based on respect for cultural diversity.
Emphasizing that today, the establishment of stability, peace and prosperity in the entire Balkans is Turkey’s main priority, Fidan said, “We are making an intensive effort for this. As Turkey, we always take an active stance in the Balkans. I believe that we will further advance these efforts thanks to our cooperation with North Macedonia, which is located in the heart of the Balkans.”
Fidan emphasized that such mutual visits will accelerate bilateral relations.
The only way to solve the problems in the Balkans is peace and dialogue
Responding to a question from members of the press regarding Turkey’s approach to resolving problems in the Balkans, Fidan said, “The political problems we face in the Balkans are a series of problems that come from history. We have only one way: to do our best to resolve these problems through peace and dialogue.”
Fidan said that, as seen in recent history, conflict and war bring destruction and that it is not enough to expect solutions to the problems in the region only from international organizations and powerful actors outside the region.
Emphasizing that as countries in the region, they need to show regional ownership and take ownership of their own problems, Fidan said, “As Turkey, within the framework of the political vision put forward by our President, we are very sensitive about regional ownership not only in the Balkans but also in other geographies, as you know, because expecting someone else to come and solve our own problems is both an easy way out and unfortunately, problems can never be solved as quickly or in the way we want.”
Fidan emphasized that Turkey is actively striving to resolve the ongoing problems in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Kosovo through peace and dialogue, and expressed that they both support international efforts and are seeking what they can do as Turkey.
Emphasizing that they fully support the Belgrade-Pristina Process, Fidan said that they support the talks and studies that are not reflected in the media and that they try to make every possible contribution.
Fidan emphasized that focusing on solving the problem through peace and dialogue is the only way, and said that violence, conflict and war should not even cross their minds.
Reminding that the Balkans have experienced this very painfully in the last 20 years and that lessons should be learned from these hardships, Fidan underlined that the focus should be on the great prosperity, development and great interests that will come to the region through peace, dialogue, development and system-building, not on their own small gains.
Fidan concluded his remarks by pointing out the importance of making efforts to rid the region of the historical undercurrents and the destructive effects that the imposed identity policies will bring, if they can do this:
“I believe that the people of the region will have the opportunity to protect their own identities, their own sovereignty and territorial integrity as a state, and live in peace, but we need to think about this: will we be able to reach the maturity to want the same thing for others as we want for ourselves? When we reach this, I believe that peace will come to the region.”
