Turkish FM to visit Paris for talks on EU security and bilateral ties

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan is scheduled to visit Paris on Wednesday for discussions with his French counterpart, Jean-Noël Barrot, focusing on European security, regional developments, and strengthening bilateral ties.

Fidan is expected to highlight Türkiye’s pivotal role in Europe’s security and the need for enhanced coordination in shaping the continent’s future security architecture, Caliber.Az reports, citing Turkish media.

He will emphasize that Türkiye’s involvement is essential for ensuring European defense, especially in light of Washington’s shifting focus away from the region.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan reinforced this stance last month, stating, "It is inconceivable to establish European security without Türkiye." Türkiye, with NATO’s second-largest army and a Black Sea coastline, has been positioning itself as a key player in regional security following the United States’ changing policy.

The Turkish defense sector has grown significantly in recent years, with exports reaching $7.1 billion (TL 269.88 billion) in 2024, an increase of 29%. The success of Turkish defense exports, particularly the Bayraktar TB2 drones, which have been sold to over 25 countries, has positioned Türkiye as a major player in global defense.

Fidan will also reiterate Türkiye’s commitment to contributing to a fair and lasting peace between Ukraine and Russia, stressing the importance of close collaboration among allies. Additionally, he is expected to address counterterrorism efforts, with a particular focus on eliminating the YPG/PKK presence in Syria and combatting Daesh.

A key area of discussion will be Türkiye-EU relations. Fidan is set to urge France to help remove artificial barriers hindering Ankara’s EU integration, calling for tangible steps to improve ties based on a strategic perspective rather than internal political agendas of some EU members.

The ongoing humanitarian situation in Gaza and Israel’s actions against Palestinians will also be on the agenda, as Fidan aims to address these issues in the context of international diplomacy.

Despite previous tensions over differing policies on Syria, Libya, and the Eastern Mediterranean, relations between Türkiye and France have remained relatively stable. Fidan will emphasize the importance of maintaining a positive agenda in their bilateral ties, with a focus on increasing trade, mutual investments, and cooperation in sectors such as energy, transportation, technology, culture, and education.

In 2024, the trade volume between Türkiye and France reached $22.5 billion, with both countries ranking among each other’s top trading partners. Türkiye is home to approximately 800,000 French citizens, who play a significant role in the economic and social life of both nations.

Fidan will also address the rising concerns over racism and extremism targeting Turkish citizens in France, advocating for a stronger response to safeguard their rights and well-being.

By Khagan Isayev