Fidan attends SEECP summit in Sofia on Erdoğan’s behalf

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan attended the South‑East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) Summit in Bulgaria’s capital, Sofia, on Wednesday. According to diplomatic sources, Fidan represented President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan during the official visit. The SEECP brings together leaders and ministers from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, and Türkiye.

Regional cooperation

The summit focused on strengthening regional cooperation in security, energy, transport, and digital connectivity. Fidan held bilateral meetings on the sidelines with Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis, discussing Türkiye‑Greece relations and the need for calm in the Eastern Mediterranean. He also met Denis Bećirović, chair of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Fidan emphasised that the Eastern Mediterranean should be an area of cooperation, not tension, and called for avoiding steps that could harm regional stability.

Türkiye’s Balkans policy

Ankara has intensified its engagement with the Balkans through trade, investment, and cultural diplomacy. Turkish companies have invested heavily in infrastructure, energy, and banking in the region. The SEECP summit also addressed the EU integration process of Western Balkan countries, where Türkiye supports enlargement based on merit. Fidan’s attendance underscores Türkiye’s commitment to playing an active role in Southeast European stability, particularly as global rivalries and energy crises affect the region.