At the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan emphasized Turkey’s growing importance as a stabilizing force in European and regional geopolitics.
Speaking at the opening of the three-day event, Erdoğan claimed that European security cannot be guaranteed without Turkey’s involvement — especially in light of shifting dynamics in Ukraine, Syria, and international trade.
“It has become clear once again that European security is unthinkable without Turkey. Turkey is ready to take responsibility for European security in the future as well,” Erdoğan said, echoing recent remarks following a U.S. call for Europe to take more responsibility for its own defense.
He also positioned Turkey as a bridge in the face of global fragmentation, pointing to Ankara’s ability to navigate divisions between major powers like the U.S. and Russia, particularly in relation to the wars in Ukraine and Syria, and ongoing trade tensions sparked by U.S. tariffs.
“We are doing our best to prevent the heated commercial competition over customs tariffs from becoming destructive,”Erdoğan said. “Turkey will be one of the winners of this process.”
Turkey has been subject to a baseline 10% tariff under U.S. trade policies but sees potential to emerge stronger economically.
Closer to home, Erdoğan’s government continues to influence developments in neighboring Syria. Turkish-backed rebels recently gained power, reshaping regional alliances. Turkey’s involvement has also strained relations with Israel, raising concerns of further tensions. A recent meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly included calls for restraint toward Ankara.
From the forum stage, Erdoğan emphasized Turkey’s diplomacy in Syria, naming both U.S. and Russian leaders as key partners: “We are in a state of understanding and close dialogue with influential actors in the region, especially Trump and Putin, in preserving the territorial integrity of Syria.” Syria’s new president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, was present at the event, seated just two places from Erdoğan.
In a cautionary note to regional adversaries, Erdoğan stated: “No-one should misunderstand our cool-headedness and our stance of resolving issues through dialogue.”
The Turkish president also took a sharp turn to criticize Israel’s actions in Gaza, continuing his outspoken stance on the conflict. “Even if it is at war, does a legitimate state act like this? Isn’t this called state terrorism? That’s why Israel is a terrorist state,” he said.
Erdoğan’s remarks come at a politically sensitive moment, as domestic protests escalate in Turkey following the imprisonment of his primary political rival, Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu. Despite the internal unrest, Erdoğan sought to portray Turkey as a responsible regional power prepared to shoulder greater geopolitical responsibility on the European and global stage.
