The article published in the French newspaper Le Figaro on Türkiye's mediator role in the Russia-Ukraine war states, "This actual diplomatic achievement reveals above all a more peaceful and highly active Turkish foreign policy, which has the sixth largest embassy network around the world."
In an article headed "How has Erdoğan's diplomacy rendered Türkiye indispensable on the global scene?" the French newspaper Le Figaro addressed Türkiye's recently active stance on foreign policy under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
The article discusses "Can Türkiye be the first victor of the war in Ukraine?" and comments, "This actual diplomatic achievement reveals above all a more peaceful and highly active Turkish foreign policy, which has the sixth largest embassy network around the world."
Addressing the criticisms levelled against Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in the West just a few years ago, the article states, "Today, Erdoğan presents himself as a peacemaker and someone who engages in dialogue with everyone."
"Türkiye enabled the restart of grain exports"
According to the article, the conflict in Ukraine highlights the repositioning of Turkish foreign policy, which is applauded in the East, West, and Arab worlds.
The article mentions that Türkiye hosted peace talks to end the Russia-Ukraine war and that Türkiye enabled the restart of grain exports at the end of July thanks to an agreement between the warring countries, mediated by the United Nations.
The article adds that President Erdoğan had a cordial handshake with Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday in Ukraine and, just a few days ago, had met with Vladimir Putin for a lengthy four-hour meeting in Russia.
"Türkiye has developed into a multipolarity virtuoso"
Former Ambassador and current research director of the French think tank IRIS (The French Institute for International and Strategic Affairs) Jean de Gliniasty states in the article, "Türkiye is broadening its alliances while remaining a member of the Western block. Even when it is against its interests, it engages in continuous dialogue. Through the balance of power it maintains, it has achieved dominance. It is now required and praised by all. Türkiye has developed into a multipolarity virtuoso."
Regarding the Turkish foreign policy, Dorothée Schmid, an expert on Türkiye issues at the French Institute of International Relations, states, "This new policy, which enables to assume its responsibilities more effectively than in the past, and to play a mediator and peacemaker role in a less adventurous way, is based on an impressive economic, military and diplomatic repositioning."
Igor Delanoë, Deputy Director of the French-Russian Analytical Centre Observo in Moscow, notes that President Erdoğan has the ability to approach sensitive issues in different fields, unlike Europeans who completely limit their relations with Putin to Ukraine.
In the article written in Le Figaro, it is stated that relations between Türkiye and Israel were re-established after years of resentment and that Türkiye has become an indispensable and frequently negotiating country when it comes to Iran, Libya, Syria, and Ukraine.
"Normalisation diplomacy yields results"
Pointing out that "Total normalisation diplomacy yields results", the article also states that President Erdoğan took initiatives regarding the normalisation process of Türkiye and Armenia, adding, "The two countries, whose common borders have been closed for nearly 30 years, have taken steps toward normalisation in recent months. The embargo on Turkish products on the Armenian side has been lifted, and special envoys are appointed for fresh dialogue."
The article includes the following statements:
"Erdoğan is establishing Türkiye as a central platform between the West and Russia, particularly regarding gas because it does not impose any of the economic sanctions imposed by Ukraine's allies. During the meeting between Erdoğan and Putin in Sochi on August 5, it was stated that 'commercial relations will be strengthened' between the two countries as the last sign of 'friendship' to date."
The article, emphasising that Türkiye has begun the process of re-normalisation with Arab countries, states, "The normalisation of Türkiye's relations with all of its surroundings, particularly on its eastern border with the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, has been a success. We will see if this foreign policy will actually yield results on Syria and Ukraine, the two most important issues for Türkiye at the time."