Türkiye hosted the inaugural Balkan Peace Platform meeting in Istanbul on Saturday, bringing together top diplomats from across the region in a push to bolster stability, encourage regional ownership of problem-solving, and promote lasting peace in the Balkans.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, who chaired the meeting, said the forum was designed to serve as a space where Balkan nations could chart their own course toward resolving long-standing disputes and economic challenges without relying solely on outside mediation.
“The stability of the Balkans is not only essential for Europe, but also critical for neighboring regions,” Fidan told reporters at a press conference following the meeting. “This platform is a reflection of our belief that regional problems require regional solutions.”
Commitment to Dialogue and Regular Engagement
Fidan said that ministers attending the platform agreed to hold meetings every six months, with Istanbul serving as the de facto center of the initiative for the time being. The meeting brought together foreign ministers and senior officials from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia.
The platform, still informal, is expected to evolve into a mechanism that encourages regular dialogue, cross-border cooperation, and collective responses to regional crises. Fidan said there was a shared commitment to refrain from past conflicts and to avoid escalating tensions.
“No one wants to see a return to the conflicts that once plagued the region,” he said, adding that participants had reached a “mental consensus” on putting aside certain disagreements in favor of cooperation and economic connectivity.
Türkiye’s Expanding Role in the Balkans
The Balkan Peace Platform aligns with Ankara’s broader strategy of engaging with neighboring regions through what Fidan described as “innovative diplomacy.” Over the past two decades, Türkiye has significantly expanded its footprint in the Balkans, aided by economic growth, cultural diplomacy, and a focus on soft power.
Through agencies like the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA), the Turkish Red Crescent (Kızılay), and the Yunus Emre Institutes, Türkiye has extended humanitarian aid, educational programs, and infrastructure support to various Balkan states.
Türkiye also participates in multilateral frameworks such as the Southeast European Cooperation Process, the Regional Cooperation Council, and NATO’s KFOR mission in Kosovo. Notably, Ankara assumed command of the KFOR operation in 2023—the first time it has done so—becoming the second-largest troop contributor after the United States.
Fidan stressed that the Balkan Peace Platform is intended to complement existing efforts such as the EU-facilitated Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, rather than replace them.
“We aim to build a structure that supports ongoing initiatives. We are not here to compete—we are here to contribute,” he said.
He emphasized that collective decision-making is essential in today’s increasingly fragmented world and warned against leaving the region’s future to the discretion of external powers.
EU Accession and Shared Challenges
A key item on the agenda was the European Union accession process, as six of the seven countries participating in the meeting are official EU candidates. Fidan said the platform offered an opportunity for countries to share experiences and coordinate positions on visa policy, customs arrangements, and other accession-related matters.
“The EU’s SAFE and Rearm Europe programs are reshaping regional security dynamics. Candidate countries must find ways to align their strategies and advocate for equitable inclusion,” he said.
Fidan also pointed to the importance of enhancing defense cooperation among Balkan countries, noting disparities in defense capabilities and the need for shared initiatives.
Tourism and Cultural Ties
Highlighting strong cultural and historical ties, Fidan said people-to-people connections remain a cornerstone of Türkiye’s Balkan engagement. Turkish tourists are now the top visitors to six Balkan countries, he said, with rising interest among young people in particular.
Cities like Belgrade, Pristina, Skopje and Tirana are increasingly popular with Turkish travelers, while Istanbul and other Turkish destinations continue to attract Balkan tourists and entrepreneurs.
“These exchanges deepen mutual understanding and help build trust at the grassroots level,” he said.
Russia-Ukraine Conflict and Mediation Efforts
Turning to broader geopolitical concerns, Fidan addressed Türkiye’s ongoing role as a mediator in the Russia-Ukraine war. He said both Kyiv and Moscow have shown interest in resuming dialogue in Istanbul under Türkiye’s auspices, but disagreements over timing and conditions remain unresolved.
“Our president believes in leaders’ diplomacy and sees top-level dialogue as essential to breaking deadlocks,” he said. He added that Türkiye would continue to push for a trilateral meeting involving Russian President Vladimir Putin, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
While Fidan expressed hope that such a meeting could materialize, he stressed the need for groundwork at the delegation level first. “The issue is not whether to meet, but when, under what terms, and with what goals in mind,” he said.
He noted progress on humanitarian issues such as prisoner exchanges and said both sides were showing goodwill, which “greatly pleases our president.”
Fidan concluded by reiterating Türkiye’s long-term vision for the Balkans: one rooted in cooperation, regional agency, and peaceful coexistence.
“We want the word ‘Balkans’ to be associated not with conflict and fragmentation, but with solidarity and progress,” he said.
The Balkan Peace Platform, he added, would continue to evolve as a complementary structure supporting both regional and international peace efforts.