President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's involvement as a mediator in international crises has positioned Türkiye as a "key nation" in addressing global issues.
Through its constructive diplomatic initiatives that enhance regional stability, Türkiye has established itself as a key player in resolving numerous crises via its mediation efforts.
Actively engaged in diplomacy concerning the Russia-Ukraine war, the tensions between Azerbaijan and Armenia, and crisis areas like Syria and Libya, Türkiye has recently taken steps to resolve the conflict between Somalia and Ethiopia.
As part of its mediation efforts, Türkiye convened the Foreign Ministers of Russia and Ukraine during the 2nd Antalya Diplomacy Forum in Antalya on March 10, 2022, a development that garnered significant worldwide attention. Türkiye hosted the meeting between the negotiating teams of Russia and Ukraine from 28 to 30 March 2022 while also taking a prominent role in the establishment of the "Black Sea Grain Initiative" on July 22, 2022.
The international community expressed appreciation for the agreement signed in Istanbul, recognising its role in mitigating the effects of the Russia-Ukraine war on global food prices. In this context, the Joint Coordination Centre was established in Istanbul.
During his visit to Lviv on August 18, 2022, President Erdoğan stood out as the sole leader of a NATO nation to have visited both countries since the onset of the war. President Erdoğan's dialogue with the heads of state of both countries has positioned Türkiye as one of the most active countries in the process.
On September 22, 2022, Türkiye served as a mediator in the exchange of prisoners between Russia and Ukraine.
Istanbul also hosted the meetings between Rosatom and the International Atomic Energy Agency, focusing on matters concerning the Zaporizhia Nuclear Power Plant.
The historic prisoner exchange
In August of this year, the National Intelligence Organisation (MIT) executed the most comprehensive swap operation in recent memory, exchanging 26 inmates from prisons in the United States, Germany, Poland, Slovenia, Norway, Russia, and Belarus. Coordinated by MIT, the operation has been recorded in history as the most extensive one between the United States, Russia, and Germany in recent years.
Ending the occupation of Karabakh
Türkiye's military, political, and diplomatic efforts were decisive in Azerbaijan ending the Armenian occupation of Karabakh, the Caucasus' unsolvable problem. The Karabakh war, which began with Armenian border violations and attacks, concluded with Azerbaijan's victory in 44 days. Throughout the process, Türkiye supported Azerbaijan with defence industry products, technology transfer, as well as diplomatic initiatives.
Türkiye leads the initiative to halt arms and ammunition shipments to Israel
Under Türkiye's leadership, 52 countries and two international and regional organisations addressed a letter to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for joint action to halt arms and ammunition shipments to Israel. The joint letter addressed under the leadership of Türkiye was signed by 52 countries, as well as the Arab League and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.
Türkiye, Palestine, Bahrain, Bangladesh, United Arab Emirates, Bolivia, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Algeria, Djibouti, People's Republic of China, Indonesia, Morocco, Gambia, South Africa, Iraq, Iran, Qatar, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Colombia, Union of the Comoros, Kuwait, Cuba, Libya, Lebanon, Maldives, Malaysia, Mexico, Egypt, Mauritania, Namibia, Nigeria, Nicaragua, Norway, Pakistan, Russia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Somalia, Sudan, Saudi Arabia, Chile, Tunisia, Oman, Jordan, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, and Zimbabwe were among the signatory countries.
Türkiye is also one of the countries negotiating a prisoner swap and ceasefire between Israel and Palestine. However, Israel's aggressive policies prevented these processes from coming to a conclusion.
Humanitarian diplomacy marks the Syria crisis
Since the beginning of the Syrian crisis, Türkiye has pursued a principled and humanitarian policy towards the refugee problem caused by the crisis while continuing diplomatic efforts to resolve the issue.
Conducting significant military operations against terrorist organisations that take advantage of the instability in the region, Türkiye thus prevented the establishment of a corridor of terrorism on its borders.
Türkiye also engaged in effective diplomatic traffic in the period after the Baath regime was toppled on December 8. It maintained talks with Russia and Iran, two critical actors, for the process in Syria to be completed without complications. Following the overthrow of the 61-year-old Baathist regime in Syria, President Erdoğan has engaged in intense diplomacy traffic.
President Erdoğan, committed to fostering peace and stability in the region following the establishment of the interim administration in Syria, held his first meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on December 10. During the call, President Erdoğan emphasised that Syria must be governed by the Syrian people and that Türkiye will continue to do everything in its power for the construction of a unified Syria cleared of terrorism.
President Erdoğan also spoke by phone with President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan. President Erdoğan stated that Türkiye will continue to support the Syrian people for the restoration of lasting stability in Syria.
After the call with Aliyev, President Erdoğan spoke by phone with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni of Italy and noted the importance of protecting the territorial integrity of Syria and stabilising the country.
Continuing his telephone diplomacy with President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, President Erdoğan conveyed to von der Leyen that Türkiye will continue to provide strong support to the Syrian people in order to cleanse Syria of terrorist elements, ensure its unity, protect its territorial integrity and ensure that all Syrians, with all their ethnic and religious elements, live in peace.
During his telephone conversation with Chancellor Olaf Scholz of Germany, President Erdoğan stated that Türkiye will continue to work for Syria free of terrorism.
On December 12, President Erdoğan received US Secretary of State Antony Blinken at Esenboğa Airport. During the reception, President Erdoğan underscored that Türkiye would implement preventive measures predominantly for its own national security against all terrorist organisations operating in Syria and posing a threat to Türkiye, with a particular emphasis on the PKK/PYD/YPG and DAESH terrorist groups. President Erdoğan is expected to continue his Syria-orientated contacts this week.
A peace table has been established in Türkiye to address the Somaliland crisis.
The Somaliland crisis between Ethiopia and Somalia, two countries in the Horn of Africa, is moving towards a peaceful resolution thanks to Türkiye's mediation.
President Erdoğan hosted President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of Somalia and Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed of Ethiopia in Ankara, where they reached an agreement to resolve the crisis between the two countries that has persisted for nearly a year.
In the Ankara Declaration signed between Ethiopia and Somalia, it was stated that the parties agreed to set aside their discrepancies and disputes and to move forward with resolve and collaboration towards shared prosperity and resolved to initiate technical negotiations by the end of February 2025, with the aim of concluding them within four months under the facilitation of Türkiye. The Parties announced that they acknowledged the numerous potential advantages that could arise from Ethiopia's secure access to and from the sea while respecting the territorial integrity of Somalia. The issue that arose between the two neighbouring countries and escalated into a regional crisis has been resolved as a result of the initiatives taken under Türkiye's mediation.
President Erdoğan steps in for the dispute between Sudan and the UAE
Türkiye, which continues to play a key role in resolving disputes between countries, has recently stepped in for the dispute between Sudan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
On Friday, December 13, President Erdoğan spoke by phone with the Chairman of the Sovereignty Council of Sudan, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and offered to mediate to resolve tensions with the United Arab Emirates.
Recalling that Türkiye initiated the Ankara Process to resolve the dispute between Somalia and Ethiopia, President Erdoğan stated that Türkiye could also step in to resolve the disputes between Sudan and the UAE and that maintaining peace and stability in Sudan, safeguarding its territorial integrity and sovereignty, and preventing the country from becoming a site of foreign interventions are key objectives for Türkiye.