Türkiye to champion intensified peace efforts in Ukraine, EU integration, regional stability As Fidan, Kallas scheduled for crucial meeting

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan is set to express Türkiye's support for intensifying diplomatic efforts to resolve the ongoing conflict in Ukraine at a meeting with EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas, scheduled to take place in Ankara on January 24.

Sources from the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs revealed that Fidan aims to reaffirm Türkiye's commitment to the negotiation process, underscoring its support for a fair and long-term solution to end the war between Ukraine and Russia, Caliber.Az reports citing Russian media.

"The minister intends to emphasize our support for the intensification of the negotiation process to end the war between Ukraine and Russia through a fair and long-term solution by diplomatic means," the sources stated.

Fidan is also set to address several key issues, including Türkiye's long-standing goal of becoming a full European Union member. The meeting will also touch on a range of regional developments impacting both Türkiye and the EU.

The talks are expected to focus on areas where progress has been made in Türkiye-EU relations, including the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, the situation in Gaza and Palestine, and stability in Syria. Additionally, the discussions will explore potential future joint steps between Ankara and Brussels.

Fidan is anticipated to reaffirm Türkiye’s strategic aim of achieving full EU membership, stressing the country's desire to revive the EU accession process. " Türkiye's strategic goal is joining the EU as a full member, and Ankara expects to see the negotiation process revitalized," the sources explained.

A key aspect of the talks will involve the Türkiye-EU Association Council meetings and high-level dialogues, which are seen as crucial for advancing relations. Fidan is expected to emphasize the need to promptly launch negotiations on the renewal of the customs union, as well as to resume cooperation on migration in line with the current realities, ensuring fair burden-sharing and responsibility. Furthermore, the dialogue on visa liberalization, an ongoing point of negotiation, is also expected to be addressed.

The meeting is poised to be an important step in reinforcing Türkiye-EU ties and advancing Türkiye’s EU accession aspirations, while simultaneously addressing pressing regional issues that require collaborative action.

Fidan has previously reiterated Türkiye's position as a proponent of peaceful resolution initiatives, advocating for all efforts that aim to achieve a just and sustainable peace in Ukraine. He has also offered Türkiye's willingness to play a mediatory role, similar to its involvement in the Istanbul talks in March 2022, which aimed to facilitate dialogue between Ukraine and Russia. 

By Vafa Guliyeva