Europe must stop outsourcing its security, Türkiye's Fidan says
Speaking in Lisbon, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan issued a stark call for European nations to take primary responsibility for their own defense, describing it as an "existential necessity." He critiqued the bloc for excluding a key NATO ally like Türkiye from its security mechanisms and positioned his country as an indispensable partner for addressing regional crises from Gaza to Syria.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has called for a fundamental shift in Europe's approach to its own defense, arguing that the continent can no longer afford to delegate its security to external powers. Addressing an ambassadors' conference in Lisbon on Monday, Fidan framed the need for Europeans to ensure the safety of their own home as an "existential necessity," urging a move away from reliance on others in an increasingly unstable global landscape.
A Critique of EU Security and Türkiye's Excluded Role
Minister Fidan directly linked Europe's security deficit to its own political decisions, notably the exclusion of Türkiye from EU defense frameworks. He argued that "a small number of member states place narrow national agendas above Europe’s broader strategic interests," effectively blocking a key NATO ally with substantial military and economic capabilities from contributing to continental security. Fidan positioned Türkiye as the dynamic actor Europe needs to reinvigorate its success.
Addressing Regional Instability: Gaza, Syria, and Somaliland
The foreign minister outlined a series of interconnected crises where Türkiye is poised to play a central role. He described Gaza as the region's "bleeding wound" and stated Türkiye's readiness to assume responsibility in post-ceasefire governance and reconstruction, contingent on a plan leading to a sovereign Palestinian state. He also presented a stable Syria as essential for regional peace and for stemming irregular migration to Europe. Furthermore, Fidan condemned Israel's recognition of Somaliland as a strategy "that exports instability by undermining the territorial integrity" of nations.
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Navigating a New Era of Conflict and Technology
Fidan's address painted a picture of a world where the lines between peace and war are blurred, and threats extend beyond traditional battlefields. He emphasized that artificial intelligence and new technologies are reshaping conflict, granting a decisive advantage to those who can merge technology with strategy. His remarks served as a broader warning for Europe to develop strategic autonomy in a system he described as lacking sufficient guarantees for responsible management of global change.
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