Türkiye hosts key Balkans peace platform meeting in Istanbul

2026-01-25 - 21:05

Türkiye reinforced its diplomatic engagement in Southeastern Europe by hosting the second ministerial gathering of the Balkans Peace Platform in Istanbul on Friday, with Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan leading the proceedings. Bilateral Diplomacy on the Sidelines According to a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Ankara, the event facilitated a series of separate bilateral meetings between Minister Fidan and his counterparts from Montenegro, Serbia, North Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, and Albania. These talks aimed to address regional issues and enhance bilateral ties. Fidan on Platform's Role and Türkiye's Leadership In a post on the social media platform X, Fidan highlighted the consensus on the platform's value. "We are in agreement that the platform, which we brought to life under the leadership of our country, provides an important framework that strengthens regional ownership in the Balkans, deepens dialogue and produces concrete areas of cooperation," he stated. He described the mechanism as results-oriented and inclusive, emphasizing Ankara's role as a unifying force in the historically complex region. Commitment to Regional Stability The foreign minister reaffirmed Türkiye's enduring commitment to the Balkan peninsula, pledging that Ankara would continue its contributions to regional "peace, stability and prosperity." He added that Türkiye would persist in leading initiatives designed to invest in the shared future of the Balkans, positioning the platform as a cornerstone of this sustained diplomatic effort.