Turkish FM demands immediate cessation of Israeli attacks as well as durable peace solution

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has called for the immediate cessation of Israeli attacks and stressed the urgent need for a sustainable peace solution in the Middle East.

His remarks came at a press conference following the meeting of the Committee of Ministers of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Arab League (AL), held in Antalya, Caliber.Az reports via Turkish media.

At the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, which centered around the theme "Two-State Solution and Sustainable Peace in the Middle East," Fidan firmly rejected any plans aimed at forcibly displacing Palestinians from their homeland.

He stated, "Israel's attacks must stop immediately. We have discussed the essential steps necessary to establish lasting peace and implement a two-state solution."

The foreign minister emphasised the need for a permanent ceasefire, underscoring Türkiye’s support for ongoing ceasefire negotiations led by Qatar, Egypt, and the US.

He also stressed the critical need for unhindered humanitarian aid access to Gaza, saying, "We firmly reject any plans aimed at forcibly displacing Palestinians from their land." 

Fidan further reinforced Türkiye's stance on the future of Palestine, expressing full support for the Gaza reconstruction plan approved by the Arab League.

He reiterated Türkiye’s commitment to the creation of an independent and sovereign Palestinian state, based on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

"The aggressive policy of Israel is harming regional stability and the international legal system," Fidan stated. "Despite 80 years of violence, Palestinians have not abandoned their land or their struggle."

The 4th edition of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum (ADF2025), hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye, under the auspices of H.E. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, is being held in Antalya, Türkiye from April 11 till 13. This year’s theme “Reclaiming Diplomacy in a Fragmented World” reflects the pressing need for diplomacy to reassert itself as a stabilizing force, amid rising global divisions. 

Growing geopolitical rifts, deepening global inequalities, surge in violence targeting civilians, intolerance towards divergent views, uncertainties driven by technological disruptions and multidimensional impact of climate crisis have all shaken common sense of justice and eroded trust in international institutions.

The inability of the current international system to find solutions to these contemporary challenges has further strained the already struggling cooperation efforts. In an era of heightened instability and unpredictability, marked by complex challenges and multiple crises, the Antalya Diplomacy Forum aims to evaluate the systemic problems of the multilateral order and foster dialogue on reclaiming diplomacy in a rapidly evolving international environment. 

The Antalya Diplomacy Forum gathers global leaders, policymakers, academics, business experts and as well as representatives of media and civil society to explore how diplomacy can turn the tide and navigate us through a fragmented world to find a common ground for collective action. The Forum aims to inspire dialogue to redefine the role and core principles of diplomacy in an increasingly polarized atmosphere. 

By discussing root causes of various problems, the Forum encourages policymakers to reconsider how diplomacy can manage these turbulent times, with a focus on innovative tools for conflict resolution, mediation strategies and regional cooperation mechanisms. To help create a more effective and cohesive international system, the Forum looks for new solutions to address the failures of global governance, by examining the dysfunction and lack of trust in international organisations. 

The role of non-governmental stakeholders complementing traditional diplomatic efforts is also elaborated to discover how diplomacy can become more inclusive, adaptable and resilient. The Forum provides a forward-thinking platform for participants from all around the world to work on joint strategies to make diplomacy the driving force for peace and cooperation.

By Naila Huseynova