‘Palestinian lands non-negotiable’: FM Fidan reaffirms Türkiye’s strong stance at G20 meeting

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, speaking at the “Global Geopolitical Situation” session during the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Johannesburg, South Africa, reiterated Türkiye‘s unwavering stance on key global issues. Fidan emphasized that a just and lasting peace cannot be achieved by expelling Palestinians from their lands and reaffirmed that Palestinian territories are non-negotiable.

First Meeting of G20 Foreign Ministers kicked off Thursday in Johannesburg, South Africa, with Türkiye’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan in attendance. The meeting, which spans Thursday and Friday, is being held at the National Recreation Center (NASREC) in South Africa’s largest city.

This year, South Africa is taking on the G20 Presidency for the first time, with the theme of “solidarity, equality, sustainability.”

Path to ‘just and lasting peace’

“The path to achieving a just and lasting peace is not through the expulsion of millions of Palestinians from their lands. The lands for which Palestinians have made great sacrifices are not subject to negotiation,” Fidan said.

“The two-state solution remains the long-overdue and only path to lasting peace. Failure to implement this solution will only perpetuate the cycle of conflict,” he added.

Fidan also addressed the growing global vulnerabilities, citing the prolonged and destructive nature of conflicts, including the ongoing Palestinian-Israeli conflict. He highlighted the immense pressure on humanitarian aid systems and economic disruptions caused by conflicts that displace millions of people worldwide. He added that multilateral institutions are struggling to adapt to shifting global power dynamics, particularly in light of technological advances such as artificial intelligence and robotics.

Fidan sharply criticized the United Nations Security Council for its failure to fulfill its mandate in the current polarized global environment. “The United Nations Security Council is unable to fulfill its responsibility to maintain peace and security in an extremely polarized global environment,” he stated.

Sanctions on Syria: A barrier to recovery

Turning to Syria, Fidan praised recent developments in the country, acknowledging the positive steps toward an inclusive transition. He emphasized the importance of equal treatment for all ethnic and religious groups and underscored Türkiye’s commitment to addressing regional concerns and ensuring the control of chemical weapons.

However, Fidan made a firm call for the unconditional lifting of sanctions, which he believes remain a significant barrier to Syria’s recovery. “Sanctions must be lifted unconditionally for Syria’s recovery to make meaningful progress,” Fidan declared.

Türkiye’s support for Ukraine and Africa

Fidan also reaffirmed Türkiye’s strong support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, emphasizing that diplomacy is the only path forward in the ongoing Ukraine conflict.

Addressing Africa’s rising influence, Fidan highlighted Türkiye’s growing strategic partnership with the African Union, driven by investments in political, economic, social, security, and humanitarian fields. “Türkiye will continue to defend Africa’s rightful place in the global order and ensure that its voice is heard more prominently in the multilateral system,” he concluded.