Turkish Foreign Minister Emphasizes Importance of Diversifying Trade Routes and Strengthening International Cooperation to Face Global Challenges
Turkish Foreign Minister stresses the necessity of protecting trade routes and diversifying corridors.
Translated by Qiyas from كونا — Original source
Istanbul, Nov 7 (KUNA) -- Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stressed on Saturday the need to protect trade routes and sea lanes and to curb conflicts, emphasizing that political disputes must not be allowed to disrupt the systems underpinning the global economy amid growing risks to supply chains, energy and trade transport routes, and international trade.
Speaking at the TRT World Forum 2026 in Istanbul, Fidan said that global interconnectivity is facing increasing challenges due to bottlenecks and the shrinking of energy and transport corridors, warning against the transformation of navigational passages into arenas of conflict or the use of energy lines as tools for political pressure.
He noted that Turkey seeks to enhance diplomacy and diversify trade routes by supporting the Middle Corridor, which extends from the South Caucasus to Turkey, and the project linking the Gulf to Europe via Iraq and Turkey, as well as diversifying energy sources.
Fidan added that Turkey believes in the necessity of strengthening international cooperation and sharing responsibilities to address common challenges, pointing out that regional initiatives, including defense cooperation with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan through the Mecca Alliance, contribute to confronting threats.
He called for launching a global initiative that brings together countries from different regions to enhance international interconnectivity and transform it into a pillar of collective security, shared prosperity, and sustainable peace. (End) T.A./F.A.S.
