ANTALYA: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, speaking at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, has said the window opened by the ceasefire between the US, Israel, and Iran should be used effectively to secure lasting peace.
“No matter how deep the disagreements may be, we must not allow weapons to replace words in resolving them, or bloody conflict to supplant negotiations,” he said. He warned against Israel’s action to undermine the negotiation process.
Highlighting maritime security, Erdogan emphasised the importance of maintaining freedom of navigation in accordance with international rules, particularly ensuring that the Strait of Hormuz remains open for commercial shipping. He also underscored that Gulf countries must retain unhindered access to the open seas.
The Turkish president expressed concerns over declining trust in the global system, pointing to its failures in addressing conflicts in Syria, Gaza, the West Bank, and Lebanon.
He noted that achieving peace, stability, and normalization in Syria is essential for the broader region’s future.
President Erdogan described the situation in Gaza as not only a humanitarian crisis but a grave injustice that reflects the shortcomings of the existing global order. He stressed that the international system must respond more effectively to such crises.
Reaffirming the importance of diplomacy, Erdogan stressed that disputes—no matter how deep—should be resolved through dialogue rather than conflict.
He added that Turkiye maintains its EU membership goal and expects the bloc to overcome the direction crisis and stay true to the founders’ vision.
President Erdogan also said Ankara is ready to support the facilitation of direct Russia-Ukraine talks, including a possible leaders’ summit, if parties are willing to do so.
The fifth edition of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum opened in Turkiye on Friday, bringing together foreign ministers from key regional countries, including Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt, as efforts intensify to end the ongoing Middle East conflict.
Held under the auspices of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and hosted by the Turkish Foreign Ministry, the three-day forum is taking place in the Mediterranean city of Antalya under the theme “Mapping Tomorrow, Managing Uncertainties”.
More than 150 countries are represented, including over 20 heads of state and government and around 15 deputy leaders. The gathering also includes more than 50 ministers — over 40 of them foreign ministers — alongside representatives from 75 international organisations.
In total, more than 460 high-level participants and nearly 5,000 attendees, including academics and students, are expected to take part.
Participants from Africa and Europe account for nearly half of the attending heads of state, while foreign ministers are primarily from Africa, Europe, and Asia, reflecting the forum’s broad geographic reach.
The programme features more than 40 panels and events, including leadership-level discussions on political, economic, environmental, and technological challenges, with a focus on an evolving global landscape.
