Türkiye’s role crucial for Europe’s security architecture: FM Fidan

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Thursday emphasized Türkiye‘s crucial role in Europe’s security, stating that the continent’s deterrent and sustainable security is “only possible” with Ankara’s participation.

Fidan’s remarks came during a joint news conference with his Croatian counterpart Gordan Grlic Radman in Ankara.

European leaders are holding emergency talks in Brussels to increase defense spending and shore up support for Ukraine.

Touching upon the recent incidents in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Fidan urged parties in the Balkan nation to refrain from “unilateral rhetoric,” and to resolve issues through dialogue.

“We urge everyone to act with restraint. We need cooperation, consensus, and dialogue, not provocations,” he added.

A court in Bosnia and Herzegovina recently sentenced Milorad Dodik, president of the Republika Srpska, one of the two entities in the nation, to one year in prison and banned him from politics for six years.

Bosnian officials on Thursday, meanwhile, challenged laws barring the state judiciary and police from operating in the Serb-controlled part of the country.

Bilateral ties with Croatia

Turning to bilateral relations, Fidan outlined Türkiye’s efforts to boost mutual investments with Croatia, noting growing cooperation in the defense industry.

He highlighted Croatia’s strategic energy terminal on Krk Island, which plays a crucial role in Europe’s energy security, and called for increased investments in renewable energy. Fidan also reaffirmed the importance of Türkiye’s close dialogue with Croatia in ensuring stability in the Balkans, emphasizing both nations’ roles as key partners in regional peace.

Fidan highlighted the trilateral consultation mechanism between Türkiye, Croatia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina as part of efforts to foster regional cooperation.

“With the regional ownership approach, we established the trilateral consultation mechanism with Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. In the same spirit, our cooperation with Croatia continues within the framework of the South East European Cooperation Process,” he added.

Croatian FM hails Türkiye’s geostrategic role

Türkiye plays a critical geostrategic role in global peace and stability, according to Croatian FM Radman, who praised Ankara’s contributions to maintaining peace worldwide.

“As an EU candidate country, it (Türkiye) holds great importance both geopolitically and geostrategically. It plays a very significant role. We closely see its contribution to ensuring peace and stability in the world,” he stated.

Highlighting the ongoing cooperation between Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, and Türkiye, Radman expressed confidence that the trilateral meetings, such as the one scheduled for 2024 in Dubrovnik, will continue to yield progress. “I believe we will make significant progress with important efforts to preserve the integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina,” he added.

‘Happy to see Turkish companies’

Radman also highlighted the strong economic ties between Türkiye and Croatia. Bilateral trade between the two countries surpassed $1 billion over the past three years, and Radman believes this figure will continue to rise.

“I am especially happy to see many Turkish companies exploring the potential in Croatia. These companies are directing their investments here and making significant contributions,” he said, emphasizing Croatia’s welcoming stance toward Turkish investments.

On defense cooperation, the Croatian foreign minister revealed that an agreement had been reached, and both countries will work to strengthen ties in this area. Radman also expressed gratitude for Türkiye’s continuous support for Croatia’s accession to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).