Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has said he would meet with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Syrian Foreign Minister Assad Hassan al Shaibani on Thursday, following an informal meeting of NATO foreign ministers.
Speaking to TRT Haber before the NATO Informal Foreign Ministers Meeting began on Wednesday in Antalya, Fidan said the meeting will discuss preparations for the NATO Leaders Summit, which will be held in The Hague, Netherlands, in June, and that the fact that Türkiye is hosting the meeting adds to the importance of the talks.
One of the main issues on NATO's agenda is the determination of "burden-sharing" ratios, which the US has long opposed, Fidan pointed out, adding that US President Donald Trump has emphasised this issue both during his first and current terms.
He underlined that the European security architecture has also been significantly impacted, adding that both the EU and NATO have developed initiatives and new parameters for their member states.
He said the parameters and limits on defence spending, the lifting of sanctions and restrictions on defence cooperation between the allies, and the resolution of disputed areas are important agenda items.
Damascus remained under crippling US sanctions for more than four decades as the Baath regime committed human rights violations with impunity.
Russia-Ukraine war, Gaza genocide on agenda
Fidan noted that the issue of ending the Russia-Ukraine war will also be on the agenda, adding, "In addition, as Türkiye, we will informally and productively discuss all other issues, especially the war and genocide in Gaza, which are in our neighbouring region and directly affect transatlantic security."
Regarding his meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on Tuesday, Fidan said Rutte was also received by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and that the strategic framework of NATO-Türkiye relations was reiterated during the meeting.
He also met with Rutte over a working dinner, where the strategy outlined with Erdogan was thoroughly discussed, he said.
He said they discussed sensitive aspects of the alliance's common issues for Türkiye, NATO-Türkiye relations, and ties between NATO member countries and Türkiye.
"There are some issues that the NATO secretary general should be aware of and intervene in himself. We were allowed to explain them one by one. So, how will we follow these issues together? Which leader will we follow, and how will we discuss them? We also came to a general agreement on this issue. In short, it was an extremely productive meeting."
The Russian president pointed to Istanbul as a potential venue for “direct talks” with Kiev. The Ukrainian leader swiftly responded by proposing a face-to-face meeting. Will the twain meet?
Intense diplomatic activities in Istanbul
Responding to a question about the peace talks between Russia and Ukraine to be hosted by Türkiye in Istanbul, Fidan said, "There is an incredibly intense diplomatic traffic right now."
"Many parties are in talks with each other. There are talks planned for tomorrow in Istanbul. Some delegations have already been determined, and others are still being determined. The exact format is still not finalised," he added.
Türkiye has been working to end the war in Ukraine since its inception, said the foreign minister, emphasising that the country also wants the wars and tensions in Gaza, Africa, and the region to end, as well as permanent and lasting peace.
'I am a little more hopeful at this point'
Referring to the negotiations to be held in Istanbul, Fidan said: "The American delegation is coming to Istanbul, the Russian delegation will come to Istanbul. I will meet again with the Ukrainian Foreign Minister (Andrii Sybiha) after I meet with you today. There is heavy traffic."
He said the parties are currently attempting to harmonise their positions, adding, "Obviously, we welcome this with understanding. Because everyone has their base to protect, the most important strategic goal for us is to establish a ceasefire as soon as possible and begin systematic peace negotiations. This is extremely important for our region."
When asked whether they were optimistic about the negotiations, Fidan replied: "I am a little more hopeful at this point. The intention of 'I want to stop this war' is important, but there are modalities, and trust must be established.
"It is difficult to establish trust when you leave the two parties alone. Therefore, credible and trustworthy actors with high credibility must be involved. Türkiye is unquestionably one of the leading actors."
"I will be ordering the cessation of sanctions against Syria in order to give them a chance at greatness," says US President Trump.
Trump's announcement to lift sanctions on Syria
In response to another question about Trump's announcement to lift sanctions on Syria, Fidan said there is a vision that guides Türkiye's efforts in Syria, citing his meetings with Erdogan.
He noted: "The content of this vision is that not only Türkiye, but all stakeholders in the region should be involved in solving the Syrian issue and that the Europeans and Americans should play a positive role in this issue."
Many countries in the region, particularly Saudi Arabia, are playing a positive role and are working in coordination with these countries, he said, adding that Syrian President Ahmad Alshaara and Foreign Minister al Shaibani are in close diplomatic contact and that the new administration's diplomacy is well-received around the world.
Fidan emphasised the importance of lifting the sanctions imposed under the ousted Bashar al Assad to ensure the return of the Syrian people and to revive the economy, and said Erdogan raised concerns about the war in Gaza and joint work to improve the situation in Syria in his talks with Trump.
Trump responded positively to Erdogan's request, he said. "It is critical that Türkiye's constructive role in Syria is recognised. This is really a matter of trust. At the same time, the international community has imposed on us this responsibility."
Fidan described the meeting between Türkiye, the US, Saudi Arabia, and Syria as "historic" and positive.
He explained that they will meet with Rubio and Shaibani on Thursday after the informal meeting of NATO foreign ministers. "We will work on how to advance the details of the agreement that the leaders have drawn up and agreed on."
Fidan said they expect investments in Syria to increase as soon as the sanctions are officially lifted.
