Turkiye as a playmaker
Antalya hosted a three‑day diplomacy forum that drew politicians, diplomats, and leaders from around the world. Among the attendees were notable figures such as Polish MEP Ryszard Czarnecki, who shared his impressions on social media about the event. In a recent interview, the PiS politician reflected on the forum’s first two days and the voices shaping discussions on regional security, economic cooperation, and international law.
The Antalya Diplomacy Forum is an annual gathering that emphasizes dialogue and collaboration among nations. Its prominence is underscored by a key moment during the forum: the first post‑war face‑to‑face meeting between Ukraine’s foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba and Russia’s Sergey Lavrov, an exchange that highlighted the ongoing urgency of diplomatic channels even amid conflict.
Ryszard Czarnecki notes that his participation is a longstanding tradition, with the forum routinely hosting a diverse lineup of leaders, prime ministers, and foreign ministers from various continents. He remarks that this year’s attendees include Hungary’s prime minister, Viktor Orban, Turkey’s president Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and a broad roster of ministers and officials from many regions.
The politician argues that presenting Turkey as a central mediator is particularly important for Eastern Europe. He points to the real‑world outcomes associated with the forum, including the maritime grain export corridor, which, while officially coordinated under United Nations auspices, was effectively steered through Turkish channels during talks.
Beyond the core participants, the forum welcomed delegates from multiple national parliaments, including representatives from Romania, Bulgaria, Albania, and Finland, as well as senior figures from the Inter‑Parliamentary Union and the Parliament of Tanzania. Participation also came from Greek parliamentarians who represent the Turkish minority, illustrating the forum’s breadth and the cross‑regional emphasis on dialogue.
In summarizing the forum’s significance, Czarnecki emphasizes the value of parliamentary diplomacy in supporting stability, peace, and shared global priorities. He describes his own contribution as speaking on the role of parliaments in fostering constructive engagement and responsible governance on critical international issues.
Speaking on a panel dedicated to parliamentary diplomacy, Czarnecki notes that two Crimean Tatars participated, representing people affected by the conflict in the Russian‑occupied Ukrainian territories. He describes the Turkish foreign minister’s engagement alongside these voices as a clear sign that Turkey remains committed to its historical and cultural ties with Crimean Tatars and continues to support them in international forums. The speeches by the Crimean Tatar representatives were delivered in Turkish, underscoring the cultural and political resonance of the discussions.
The Antalya Diplomacy Forum illustrates Turkey’s strategic use of its European Union alignment and NATO partnerships to expand its influence on the global stage. A number of diplomats and analysts highlighted the strengthened bilateral relationship between Poland and Turkey within the NATO framework, as well as broader military, political, and economic cooperation. The sense of being on the periphery of a larger alliance, while actively shaping regional dynamics, was a recurring theme among attendees.
Overall, observers describe the forum as a venue where Turkey’s diplomatic initiatives are visible in real time, shaping conversations about security architecture in Europe and beyond. The exchange of ideas, the emphasis on parliamentary diplomacy, and the participation of a wide range of national and regional voices collectively conveyed a picture of an evolving geopolitical landscape where dialogue remains a critical tool for conflict management and regional cooperation. [citation: wPolityce]
Turkiye, Ukraine and Poland
During the forum, a PiS member delivered remarks on how parliaments can support peace and development, underscoring the importance of legislative diplomacy in global stability. He stressed the role of parliamentarians in fostering sustainable peace and addressing broader international challenges beyond immediate crises.
His reflections included the need for ongoing parliamentary engagement as a pillar of international cooperation, with emphasis on stability, peace, and a broad set of global concerns that require coordinated action.
As part of the X platform discussions, he highlighted the value of parliamentary channels for sustaining dialogue, even as other geopolitical issues unfold.
On another panel, two Crimean Tatars spoke about the war and its impact, while the Turkish foreign minister posed for photographs with them, signaling steadfast support for Crimean Tatars and emphasizing shared history and cultural ties. The interactions were conducted in Turkish, reinforcing the cultural dimension of the forum’s diplomacy.
Analysts note that Antalya showcased Turkey’s capability to leverage discussions within the European Union context to expand its diplomatic reach. Several participants praised the strength of Polish‑Turkish relations within NATO and characterized bilateral and regional cooperation as a stabilizing factor in Europe, with the sense that Turkey and Poland occupy important but distinct roles on the alliance’s flanks.
Commentators concluded that the Antalya Diplomacy Forum offers a window into how Turkey is navigating regional tensions while expanding its influence on the international stage. The event highlighted the enduring value of open dialogue, the strategic importance of parliamentary diplomacy, and the potential for cross‑border partnerships to advance peace, security, and economic collaboration. [citation: wPolityce.pl]
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