Turkish foreign minister, EU foreign policy chief discuss ties, Gaza in Germany

ANKARA/MUNICH/ISTANBUL

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell on Friday discussed Türkiye-EU relations during a meeting on the sidelines of the 60th Munich Security Conference.

Fidan underlined that there should be no distinction between Türkiye and other candidate countries in the EU, according to the diplomatic sources.

The discussion also touched upon the Gaza issue, with concerns raised about internal disagreements within the EU hindering support for Palestinians and the absence of mechanisms against Israel.

Regarding the Syrian conflict, Fidan and Borrell highlighted the importance of the Syrian regime's involvement in the political process.

- Turkish, Moldovan foreign ministers’ meeting

Fidan met with his Moldovan counterpart, Mihai Popsoi, as part of his visit to Germany for the Security Conference.

During the meeting, Fidan highlighted Ankara’s support for Moldova's territorial integrity.

The two ministers explored prospects for future high-level visits and discussed Türkiye's contributions to Gagauzia.

Additionally, they delved into cooperation opportunities in economic relations, energy, education, and the defense industry.

Meeting with Azerbaijani president, Dutch and Swedish counterparts

Fidan was received by President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev.

"Our Minister Hakan Fidan was received by President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev in Munich," the Turkish foreign ministry said in a statement on X.

No further information was provided.

Fidan also met his Dutch counterpart, Hanke Bruins Slot, in Munich where they discussed Gaza and both sides expressed concern that a major operation targeting Rafah would lead to a new disaster, according to diplomatic sources.

The Turkish minister emphasized the importance of revitalizing the "backbone" of relations with the EU, which is constituted by membership negotiations, while also highlighting the expectation for the removal of political obstacles in front of the negotiations.

Both sides agreed on the "necessity" of continuing high-level dialogue between Türkiye and the EU.

Fidan met his Swedish counterpart, Tobias Billström, and discussed the schedule for technical-level meetings and high-level visits to address concrete steps and roadmaps for cooperation in counterterrorism and security.

Diplomatic sources said that during the meeting, Billström expressed gratitude to Türkiye for completing the approval process for Sweden's NATO membership.

It was reiterated that Sweden has fulfilled all its commitments made at NATO summits in Madrid and Vilnius, and throughout the process.

Fidan met Global Elders Group President Mary Robinson

According to diplomatic sources, the meeting with the delegation discussed the Gaza massacre and the financial crisis of the UN Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA).

The situation in Ukraine was also addressed, and Türkiye urged the facilitation of a prisoner exchange and the return of allegedly abducted children.

Fidan also met Alicia Kearns, chair of the UK House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee, at the Munich Conference.