Ankara (UNA/Anadolu) – Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said that the genocide being perpetrated by Israel against the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip will remain a black stain on the history of humanity, but at the same time it has become a means of awakening global consciousness.
This came in a speech he delivered on Monday, during his participation in the opening of the 16th Turkish Ambassadors Conference, which was held in one of the hotels in the capital, Ankara, under the slogan “Foreign Policy for Achieving Peace, Stability and Prosperity”.
Fidan noted that Türkiye was the voice of global conscience in the face of the genocide committed by Israel in Gaza.
He added: “The principled stance we took from the beginning regarding the Palestinian issue played a pivotal role in reaching the ceasefire agreement.”
He stressed that Türkiye’s efforts in this regard have received a wide international response.
He added: “If the two-state solution has become acceptable even in Western capitals, it is largely due to the principled and persistent stance of our diplomacy.”
He stressed that achieving lasting peace in Palestine will take time, affirming that Ankara will continue to work patiently and resolutely to activate the vision of a two-state solution.
On October 10th, the first phase of the ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel began, but the latter violates it daily, leaving hundreds dead.
The genocide that Israel began on October 8, 2023 and continued for two years left more than 70 Palestinian dead and more than 171 wounded, and caused massive destruction affecting 90 percent of the civilian infrastructure.
The situation in Syria
During his speech, Fidan addressed the situation in Syria, noting that the first anniversary of the fall of the Assad regime in Syria represents another example of Turkish diplomacy standing on the right side of history.
He stressed that Türkiye has passed the most difficult tests in the Syrian arena over the past fifteen years, and has borne the political and economic cost without compromising human dignity.
He continued: “We faced periods in which we were left alone, and several countries entered into tactical cooperation with terrorist organizations, but we did not deviate from our path.”
He stated that December 8, 2024, marks the birth of a new chapter of hope for the Syrian people.
Fidan added: “We believe that a stable Syria, free from foreign interference, will be a great positive addition to our region, and Turkey will continue to stand firmly by the brotherly Syrian people.”
On December 8, 2024, Syrian rebels managed to enter the capital, Damascus, declaring the overthrow of the regime of Bashar al-Assad (2000-2024), who inherited power from his father, Hafez (1970-2000).
– The Russian-Ukrainian War
Speaking about the Russian-Ukrainian war, Fidan said: “From the first day of the war, our principle was clear: there are no winners in war, and no losers in a just peace.”
He continued: “Based on this belief, we were the country that made intensive efforts to end the war through diplomatic negotiations. Istanbul still maintains its unique position as the only platform through which the parties can meet at the technical level and discuss the foundations of peace.”
Fidan explained that the Istanbul meetings between the Russians and Ukrainians are clear evidence of the trust placed in Turkish diplomacy.
He stressed that Türkiye is ready to take every initiative, play a facilitating role, and re-establish the peace table to end the war through diplomatic means.
Istanbul hosted rounds of direct negotiations between Ukraine and Russia in May, June and July 2025, resulting in agreements on the release of thousands of prisoners from both sides.
Since February 24, 2022, Russia has been waging a military offensive against its neighbor Ukraine, demanding that Kyiv abandon its membership in Western military entities in order to end the offensive, which Kyiv considers an “interference” in its affairs.
