Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan took the floor at the 32nd OSCE Ministerial Council Meeting in Vienna on Thursday, delivering a speech in which he reaffirmed Türkiye’s support for multilateral diplomacy and called for renewed international efforts to address ongoing regional crises.

The meeting — hosted by the current OSCE Chair, Finland — convenes foreign ministers from the 57 participating States and their 11 partners for cooperation. The gathering aims to review European security challenges, strengthen diplomatic cooperation, and reinforce the Organization’s ability to respond effectively to evolving global tensions.

In his remarks, Fidan underscored the importance of upholding the OSCE’s founding principles and called for the institution’s continued functionality at a time of heightened geopolitical tension.

He reiterated Türkiye’s readiness to facilitate diplomacy for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine, welcoming ongoing international efforts and emphasizing the need to preserve diplomatic momentum.

Addressing the ongoing conflict in Gaza, Fidan criticized Israeli military actions and repeated Ankara’s support for a two-state solution, calling on the international community to uphold justice and humanitarian norms.

He also highlighted recent shifts in the South Caucasus — in particular the dissolution of the Minsk Process — pointing out the evolving regional security landscape and the need for renewed diplomacy, especially after recent steps by Azerbaijan and Armenia.

On the sidelines of the OSCE meeting, Fidan held a bilateral meeting with his counterpart from Azerbaijan, Jeyhun Bayramov. The discussions focused on deepening the strategic alliance between the two countries, regional security, and cooperation in areas such as energy, transport, economic ties, and regional connectivity initiatives.

The ministers emphasized the importance of sustained high-level political dialogue, noting that mutual support within international bodies strengthens regional stability and integration.

Fidan’s participation and speech come at a time when the OSCE and its member states face mounting security challenges across Europe and beyond. By reaffirming commitment to multilateral cooperation — and by aligning Türkiye’s foreign policy with efforts to mediate conflicts and support diplomatic conflict resolution — Ankara aims to project itself as a key actor in shaping regional stability.

Observers say the dual track of high-level diplomacy at OSCE and direct bilateral engagement, such as with Azerbaijan, illustrates Türkiye’s strategy to blend institutional engagement with regional alliances, especially in areas where security, energy, and connectivity intersect — a vision consistent with recent statements by Fidan at other regional forums. (ILKHA)