Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said today that Turkey is ready to organize peace talks for Ukraine on its territory. He made this statement during a joint press conference with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov, who is visiting Ankara, BTA reports.
“The peaceful settlement of the conflict in Ukraine must be carried out with the participation of both sides“, Fidan stressed. He recalled that at the beginning of the war, Turkey organized a gathering of the parties in Istanbul and continued diplomatic efforts to find a peaceful solution. Now, as the war enters its fourth year, Turkey is renewing these efforts, expressing readiness to host peace talks on its territory.
“We believe that a solution can be reached through negotiations with the participation of both sides. We are ready to provide all possible support for the peace talks. A peaceful solution is urgently needed“, said the Turkish Foreign Minister.
Fidan added that Turkey continues to work on issues of ensuring the safety of shipping in the Black Sea, noting that he had productive talks with Lavrov on this and other important issues.
The Turkish Foreign Minister stressed that global and regional dynamics are changing and new challenges arise every day. However, according to him, there are also new areas of opportunity that Turkey should seize. He reported that his country has not received an offer to join the BRICS Group of Emerging Economies, but interest in the association remains high.
“The BRICS is undergoing internal institutional processes and at the moment the issue of accepting new members has been suspended. We have not yet received an invitation to join the association“, said Fidan.