27.02.2025 00:30
Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan described U.S. President Donald Trump's plan to take over Gaza as "a moment of madness." Minister Fidan stated that Turkey would not accept this plan and that it should not be taken seriously, saying, "There are probably only two countries in the world that support this: one is America, and the other is Israel. The rest of the world is against it."
Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan answered questions from Al Jazeera. Fidan stated that the Israeli government, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, sees Israel's security not in a two-state solution but in Israel's expansion in the region and its expansionism.
"ISRAEL CANNOT DO THIS FOREVER"
Fidan continued by saying that they, as Muslim and Arab countries, told the Israeli administration, "Come, accept the two-state solution. Make peace with both Arab countries and other Muslim countries." He added, "You should feel secure, and so should others. However, they are planning to annex Palestinian territories and beyond that, we see plans to occupy Lebanon and Syria. You cannot do this forever. Now America is helping you in this regard, in this wrong policy, but this policy is not sustainable. Instead, let’s come together; Arab countries are ready, Turkey is ready, with a two-state solution, so that you can feel comfortable and secure, and the region can be at ease. Such occupation movements, such broad occupation policies, and policies of control produce very dangerous results."
In response to the question, "Was there any discussion with Israel or Syria regarding security measures and the guarantees Turkey would provide to Israel, thus ensuring there would be no defense mechanism in southern Syria?" Minister Fidan stated that they did not discuss such matters with Israel, and that Syria is currently taking steps to ensure its national unity and integrity, emphasizing that ensuring Syria's territorial integrity is extremely important.
"THERE ARE SIGNS THAT THE UKRAINE WAR IS COMING TO AN END"
Minister Fidan answered a question regarding Turkey's mediating role in the negotiations between Russia and America and the war in Ukraine. He noted that there are signs that the war in Ukraine is coming to an end, and that discussions are ongoing about the conditions under which the parties will reach a ceasefire. Fidan stated that America and Russia will appoint representatives for these discussions and that political will has emerged on both sides.
Fidan mentioned that Americans will collect data and then work on a roadmap, which they will propose to the parties, stating, "There will definitely be requests for changes and proposals from both sides, both the Russian side and the Ukrainian side, as well as from Europeans. I believe the next few months will be very fast and intense in this regard, in terms of stopping the war in Ukraine. We need to see something by summer."
Fidan pointed out that the European Union, European democracies, and the European economy were established under the security umbrella provided by America, and that without all of these, Europeans have entered into a tremendous security crisis, which they are currently discussing.
"THEY MAY WANT TO FIND THEMSELVES IN ANOTHER SECURITY STRUCTURE"
He stated, "The American position on the Ukraine issue, the position initially put forward by Mr. Trump, which is 'We should normalize relations with the Russians, we must stop the war, the deaths of millions of people must come to an end,' sends a very different message to Europe at this point. Now, we have seen after the elections in Germany that the winning leader, Mr. Merz, also said that perhaps by summer, the European Union or European countries may want to find themselves in another security structure, outside of NATO."
"OUR OFFICIAL POSITION IS STILL EU MEMBERSHIP"
In response to a question about Turkey's EU membership, Fidan said, "Regarding the European Union, as our President expressed after the cabinet meeting yesterday, our official position is still EU membership. Our perspective on this issue has not changed by political will. However, as you know, due to identity politics, Europeans have a tendency not to include Turkey. Now, under new conditions, will they reconsider this? I hope they will."
"WE WILL NOT ACCEPT TRUMP'S GAZA PLAN"
When asked about the possibility of a ceasefire ending in Gaza and Israel continuing its attacks, Fidan stated that this would not be good, emphasizing that especially Egypt, Jordan, and Gulf countries need to develop a stance against Israel. He said, "These stances are not tolerable." Fidan stressed that Turkey would not accept U.S. President Donald Trump's plan to take over Gaza and forcibly displace Palestinians, stating that this plan should not be taken seriously. He highlighted that Turkey's stance on this issue is clear, saying, "There are probably only two countries in the world that support this: one is America, and the other is Israel. The rest of the world is against it."
Fidan described this plan as "a moment of mental paralysis," stating that Arab countries are working on a plan regarding the reconstruction, administration, and security of Gaza.