FM Fidan to visit France for high-level talks
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan makes a speech during his meeting with ambassadors of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member and observer states, along with representatives of OIC institutions in Türkiye, at an iftar program held at a hotel in Ankara, Türkiye, on March 12, 2025 (AA Photo)
Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan will pay an official visit to Paris on April 2, 2025, where he is scheduled to meet with French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noel Barrot.
According to sources from the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the talks will cover a broad agenda focusing on bilateral relations, Türkiye-European Union ties, regional conflicts, and global security issues.
The visit is expected to underscore the shared interest in maintaining a positive bilateral agenda and strengthening high-level diplomatic dialogue between Türkiye and France.
Strategic focus on trade, energy, and defense cooperation
During his visit, Minister Fidan is expected to:
- Emphasize the importance of advancing a constructive agenda and maintaining a close dialogue with France.
- Support the growth of mutual trade and investment, which reached approximately $22.5 billion in 2024.
- Propose deepening cooperation in energy, transportation, tourism, technology, culture, and education.
- Highlight expectations for a firm stance against racist and extremist movements targeting the nearly 800,000 Turkish citizens living in France.
- Stress the importance of defense industry cooperation and the removal of export restrictions.
Fidan is also anticipated to reiterate the need for effective counterterrorism collaboration and a joint stance against all forms of terrorism.
Türkiye-EU relations and European security
The discussions will also address Türkiye–EU relations. Minister Fidan is expected to highlight:
- The need to approach Türkiye–EU ties strategically, rather than through the lens of domestic politics in certain EU member states.
- The removal of artificial barriers obstructing Türkiye–EU cooperation.
- The importance of clear and meaningful steps by the EU to advance the partnership.
He will also underscore Türkiye’s critical role in European security and the need for enhanced coordination in shaping the continent’s evolving security architecture.
Regional issues: Ukraine, Gaza, and Syria on agenda
Minister Fidan is set to deliver Türkiye’s positions on several pressing regional matters:
- Express Türkiye’s readiness to contribute to a lasting and just peace between Russia and Ukraine, emphasizing the importance of close cooperation among allied nations.
- Address Türkiye’s expectation for the international community to take action against Israel’s actions in Gaza and their impact on regional security.
- Call for the termination of PKK/YPG’s presence in northern Syria and continued cooperation against Daesh.
- Advocate for greater engagement with Syria’s current administration and the lifting of sanctions to promote long-term regional stability.
