06.01.2026 00:06
Speaking to the Portuguese press, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan made a critical call to European countries. Minister Fidan stated, "As Europeans, we are all in the same boat. Ensuring the security and safety of our own home is an existential necessity. We cannot delegate our security to others."
Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stated, "The European Union was able to create a supranational union, but it has never been able to establish a civilization-transcending union. In fact, this civilization-transcending union that the world needs is integrity."
MINISTER FIDAN SPOKE TO PORTUGUESE PRESS
During his working visit to Portugal, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan made an assessment to the Portuguese Radio and Television Corporation (RTP). Describing Turkey-European Union (EU) relations as "historical," Fidan said that the parties complement each other.
Hakan Fidan emphasized that Turkey has long wanted to become a member of the EU, but this has not been realized due to some political issues within the EU, stating, "However, we believe that the historical misfortune of Turkey and the European Union not being able to come together in full solidarity with Turkey's full membership is significant."
Highlighting that Turkey is located in a very important region with its dynamic economy, strong defense industry, and young population, Fidan noted that Turkey's military power and influence in the region could establish a historical cooperation with the EU, thus offering historical opportunities to both the region and the rest of the world.
"THE EUROPEAN UNION HAS NEVER BEEN ABLE TO ESTABLISH A CIVILIZATION-TRANSCENDING UNION"
Fidan stated, "The European Union was able to create a supranational union, but it has never been able to establish a civilization-transcending union. In fact, this civilization-transcending union that the world needs is integrity," expressing the need for different civilizations to contribute to the world under the same roof.
"AS EUROPEANS, WE ARE ALL IN THE SAME BOAT"
Addressing European countries, Minister Fidan issued a critical warning. Fidan stated, "As Europeans, we are all in the same boat. Ensuring the security and safety of our own home is an existential necessity. We cannot delegate our security to others."
TURKEY-PORTUGAL RELATIONS
Fidan reported that bilateral relations with Portugal are progressing excellently, pointing out that there are significant opportunities in areas such as tourism, trade, investment, defense industry, and energy that business circles can utilize. Fidan mentioned that they aim to institutionalize existing relations through bilateral agreements and high-level visits with Portuguese Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel, stating that they want to further increase the bilateral trade volume, which exceeds 3.5 billion dollars.
Highlighting cooperation in the defense industry and tourism, Fidan reminded that Turkish businessmen and investors are taking advantage of opportunities in Portugal, which provides them with a friendly environment.
Fidan expressed that Turkey, which has a series of different political priorities in the north and south, is in a very important geostrategic position, pointing to the ongoing regional conflicts in addition to the Russia-Ukraine War, as well as in Syria, Iraq, and beyond.
"YOU WILL SEE THAT TURKEY HAS NEVER ENCOURAGED CONFLICTS"
Fidan stated, "In all these problematic areas, if you look at what President Erdoğan has achieved in the last 20 years, you will see that Turkey has always remained outside of conflicts and has never encouraged conflicts," emphasizing that Turkey is waging a very effective war against terrorism.
Minister Fidan noted that terrorism is not only a source of insecurity but also of corruption and state institutions, adding that successful combat against terrorism has brought stability to the region. Fidan pointed out that Turkey's economy, defense industry, technology, and institutional capacity could provide much more contribution to regional countries, stating, "We are in an important position between the European Union, Central Asia, and the Middle East. We can play a significant and large role not only as a bridge between these different regions but also in creating synthesis and generating different synergies between them."
Fidan mentioned that Turkey, as a country with access to these different regions, can realize its advantages with its unique position, stating that President Erdoğan's foreign policy priorities have long been aimed at increasing the stability, security, and prosperity of the region.
CALL TO THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY ON GAZA
Pointing out that more than 70,000 innocents, many of whom are women and children, have been killed by Israel in Gaza over the past two years, Fidan stated, "Unfortunately, the international community and international organizations have been helpless in the face of this massacre in the middle of the 21st century. In some countries and unions, not even the necessary steps have been taken to stand against this oppression."
Hakan Fidan recalled that there is currently a fragile ceasefire in Gaza and that a small amount of humanitarian aid has been allowed to enter Gaza, stating, "This is better than nothing. However, we are now in the middle of winter, and the people of Gaza need shelter. Because we cannot allow a people to go hungry, die, and freeze morally."
Emphasizing the importance of shelter, nutrition, and the entry of medicine, Fidan stated, "We must insistently apply the necessary pressure for the entry of the required amount of food and shelter into Gaza."
RUSSIA-UKRAINE WAR
Fidan expressed that he views the peace plan proposed by the Trump administration in the context of the Russia-Ukraine War positively and stated that they support what the administration has been trying to do in recent months, saying:
"From the beginning, while we have supported Ukraine's territorial integrity and security, we also knew this: The only way to stop this conflict is dialogue, peace, and ceasefire. Because we knew that there would be no winner in this war. Because this was no longer just a war between Ukraine and Russia. The war has become something far beyond Ukraine and Russia."
Fidan pointed out that the war has caused major divisions, leading to economic and political crises starting from Europe and continuing in other countries, as well as an energy crisis, and reminded that food crises have arisen due to grain shipment issues.
Minister Fidan emphasized that what Trump is trying to do in the context of the Russia-Ukraine War aligns with Turkey's initiatives and that Turkey is the only country that can bring the parties together and sit them around the same table, stating, "Mr. Trump and his team are conducting shuttle diplomacy by talking to different parties, which is very good."
We are doing our best to help them. I hope they succeed and we can truly see the end of this meaningless war as soon as possible.