A Turkish candidate has been elected to the position of Secretary General of the OSCE for the first time.

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan attended the 31st Ministerial Council Meeting of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). At the meeting held in Malta, the joint candidate for the OSCE Secretary-General position, which has remained uncertain since last September, was determined to be senior diplomat Feridun Sinirlioğlu from Turkey and Greece.

THE FIRST TURK TO ASSUME THE POSITION

Sinirlioğlu became the first Turk to assume the role of OSCE Secretary-General in the 50-year history of the 1975 Helsinki Final Act, which forms the basis of the OSCE. The decision was made with the approval of 57 participating members from North America, Europe, and Asia. According to information obtained from foreign ministry sources, if peace talks between Russia and Ukraine begin in the upcoming period, it is likely that the OSCE will play an important role. OSCE Secretaries-General are elected for a term of three years.

Feridun Sinirlioğlu, who held the position of Foreign Minister in the temporary government in 2015, was a joint candidate for the Secretary-General position from Turkey and Greece. Intense diplomatic efforts were made by Turkey in the process leading to Ambassador Sinirlioğlu's appointment as OSCE Secretary-General. After Russia's invasion of Ukraine, decision-making processes within the OSCE had completely stalled. There was no consensus on fundamental issues among countries. Despite the previous Secretary-General's term ending in 2023, a new Secretary-General could not be appointed due to the countries' inability to agree on any name, and the term was extended for nine months.

CONGRATULATIONS FROM HAKAN FIDAN

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan congratulated Feridun Hadi Sinirlioğlu, who was appointed as OSCE Secretary-General, on his social media account. Minister Fidan stated the following in his post:

"I congratulate Ambassador Feridun Hadi Sinirlioğlu, who has served in various roles in our foreign ministry for many years, on his appointment as Secretary-General of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).

This decision, made with the approval of 57 participating members from North America, Europe, and Asia, is one of the successful outcomes of Turkey's active role in the international arena and its cooperation-oriented diplomatic approach. I thank all member countries for their collaborations and support.

In this challenging period when the world is tested by deep crises and conflicts, the OSCE must play an important role for peace, stability, and security. I believe that Mr. Sinirlioğlu will succeed in this critical role and will further advance the OSCE's mission. Turkey will continue its efforts for global peace and stability."