Turkish Cypriot Prime Minister Ünal Üstel told Greek Cypriots to stop complaining and embrace the hand they extended for cooperation in the Eastern Mediterranean.

The two sides on the divided island of Cyprus remain at odds for maritime rights and the Greek Cypriot administration recently lobbied at the United Nations and European Union over the work of the Akdeniz Araştırma 1 (Mediterranean Survey) ship in the Eastern Mediterranean, citing that it cannot work without authorization of the Greek Cypriot administration. The Turkish ship is tasked with scientific surveying, from monitoring maritime pollution to fishing stocks. Üstel said Greek Cypriot claims in the region are “far from reality.”

In his written statement on the Prime Ministry’s website, Üstel noted that the TRNC and “motherland” Türkiye have continued surveys in the Eastern Mediterranean and these surveys are based on legitimate rights of the two countries and that this activity would not change.

Üstel stressed that there would be no concessions on the legitimate rights of the Turkish Cypriot people or strategic projects being carried out with Türkiye. He said it must be clearly understood that no steps taken on the island while ignoring the equal rights and status of Turkish Cypriots could be considered legitimate.

Pointing out that Greek Cypriot Foreign Minister Konstantinos Kombos’ unease over the Türkiye-TRNC Natural Gas Pipeline Project was another reflection of the same mentality, Üstel said: “The Greek Cypriot administration, which independently signs all kinds of agreements with foreign countries, is in no position to interfere with the TRNC’s decisions or its efforts to implement projects.”

He said that the pipeline project would proceed at full speed and be completed, adding that the Turkish Cypriot people would benefit from it. “Following the water brought to the island through the Project of the Century (a water pipeline project with Türkiye), the Turkish Cypriot people will also gain access to natural gas. This pipeline will be more than just an energy project, it will stand as one of the most concrete symbols of the unbreakable bond between the Turkish Cypriot people and their motherland, Türkiye,” he said.

Stressing that the Greek Cypriot leadership should seek avenues for cooperation rather than complain about projects that have earned international recognition and contribute to the welfare of the Turkish Cypriot people, Üstel said the Turkish side’s doors remained open to the Greek Cypriot leadership on both water and natural gas issues.

“We are addressing the Greek Cypriot people: It is time to tell your leadership to put an end to its uncompromising, destructive and dangerous policies. It is in the interest of both peoples to seek ways for two separate peoples and two separate states to live side by side in peace on the island,” he said.

The prime minister emphasized that acknowledging this reality was also a prerequisite for lasting peace and stability in Cyprus.

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Fuat Oktay, head of Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, met representatives of Turkish civic society organizations in Germany’s Berlin on Monday. Oktay, accompanied by the members of the committee, underlined in remarks to journalists that the European Union should reach out to Türkiye and abandon its “strategic blindness.”

Türkiye has sought accession to the 27-nation bloc for decades, only to see its bid stalled time after time for a wide variety of reasons. For every stage of progress in the membership process, Ankara faced a major obstacle, often the result of antagonism by some members of the bloc toward Türkiye.

Oktay said Europe’s multicultural structure was deteriorating and the EU was on its way to becoming an inward-looking club. “We therefore say that you need to overcome this strategic blindness. Including Türkiye in the EU would benefit you more than it would benefit Türkiye,” he said. Emphasizing that Türkiye’s accession to the EU would give the bloc a strategic vision, Oktay said: “Establishing a partnership with Türkiye as a country that contributes rather than being a burden would serve the interests of both sides.”

Noting that the EU’s cumbersome structure was becoming increasingly apparent, Oktay said: “We clearly see that the EU is unable to make political decisions, is increasingly lagging behind developments and is suffering from strategic blindness. We also see setbacks in Europe, particularly in terms of democratic progress and democratization.”

Oktay stressed that the EU had become confined by the foreign policy positions of Greece and the Greek Cypriot administration. “Our position on this is very clear. There can be no approach more damaging to the EU than confining itself to the foreign policies of these two countries,” he said.

The said countries are overtly antagonistic to Türkiye’s role in the EU, whether through membership or cooperation, as both see Türkiye as a rival in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean. Turkish-Greek relations have been lukewarm for decades and though Ankara and Athens sought rapprochement in recent years, tensions remain, especially on maritime borders and rights.

Oktay said Türkiye was not only a member of NATO’s southern flank but also a country that contributes significantly to ensuring security on the eastern flank. Pointing out that the EU and other European countries were making serious efforts to establish their own security architecture, Oktay said: “We say that NATO already provides an umbrella. These efforts should continue under the NATO umbrella. You can build additional capacity to establish your own architecture, but the main structure should remain within the NATO framework.”

Underlining that the EU’s Security Action for Europe (SAFE) initiative, which focuses on the bloc’s defense industry, was one of these mechanisms, Oktay said: “You want Türkiye to contribute to Europe’s security within the NATO framework on the one hand. We say that is fine. But when the EU tells Türkiye that it cannot participate in these areas, while EU member states alone are allowed to produce and sell defense equipment, that is a double standard. Or if you continue to impose limits, standards and restrictions in certain areas, that is also a double standard. Therefore, as Türkiye, we say it is time to act together.”

He stressed that the time had come for the EU and Türkiye to cooperate not only on security but also across multiple areas, including the economy, social affairs and politics, rather than limiting their relationship to a single dimension.

Addressing the draft Industrial Accelerator Act prepared by the EU, particularly its proposed “Made in EU” requirement and the disadvantages this could create for all parties, Oktay said: “We will call for an end to this narrow-minded approach. We are already making this demand.”

Noting that Europe had now become a country that was itself suffering from an illness and seeking a cure, Oktay said: “Therefore, we will continue on our own path, guided by what we know best, but in line with the interests of our citizens and Türkiye. If this brings us together on the path toward full EU membership, both sides will benefit.”

Oktay also noted that his meetings in Germany would provide an opportunity to discuss visa issues, the modernization of the customs union and counterterrorism.

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In a career that took him from embassies around the world to the post of foreign minister and finally, the post of secretary-general at the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OECD), Feridun Sinirlioğlu saw how diplomacy worked and failed. As Türkiye’s candidate to succeed outgoing U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Sinirlioğlu outlined his pledges for his possible next job. The vision statement of Sinirlioğlu, included in his application to the job, focuses on the comprehensive reform process at the international body and how the United Nations has a historic opportunity to become what it is envisioned to be after the accomplishment of reforms.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan fiercely advocates comprehensive reform at the United Nations, especially the Security Council, which he says fails to be inclusive and often underlines that countries outside major powers should have more say in international affairs. Erdoğan’s advocacy especially escalated during Israel’s genocidal attacks in Gaza, which have killed tens of thousands of people since 2023. The Turkish leader often accuses the international community, making up the United Nations, of failing to act against Israel to stop the genocide, though many countries, even a few among the Western countries that staunchly support Israel, were hailed by Erdoğan for breaking the silence.

Sinirlioğlu’s vision statement entitled “Upholding Multilateralism and Building Bridges” summarizes his policy promises if elected as the next U.N. chief.

Under the title of “A United Nations That Fulfills Its Mission,” the statement reminds us that the body was founded to “save succeeding generations from the scourge of war.”

“The UN Charter was forged through the wisdom of women and men who knew all too well the unspeakable price that war had inflicted on humanity. From the ashes of war and from the sacrifice of millions, the United Nations was established to maintain international peace and security. Throughout the decades, it has become the foremost global forum for building peace, advancing economic and social development, and promoting universal human rights. While much has been accomplished, humanity once again stands at a defining moment in its history.

“International peace and security are under unprecedented strain. War is ravaging peoples and lands across the globe; widening economic inequalities undermine the legitimate aspiration of future generations to achieve greater prosperity than those who came before them; demographic shifts and global migration patterns raise new challenges that demand coordinated international responses; human rights are violated in plain sight and weakened by intolerable double standards; and transnational threats, including organized crime and terrorism, challenge States’ sovereignty and threaten the security of all. At the same time, a new technological revolution is unfolding, generating both extraordinary opportunities and profound uncertainty,” Sinirlioğlu said in his statement.

“Only a United Nations that rediscovers its original historic mission and purpose can rise to the challenge. The Charter has been and remains our enduring beacon, providing the principles and framework for international dialogue and cooperation. I am convinced that it is what stands between humanity and the abyss of endless war and destruction. As Secretary-General, I would faithfully uphold, serve, and promote the Charter. With more than four decades of experience in diplomacy, I remain firmly convinced that the United Nations can once again guide humanity toward peace, prosperity, and dignity for all. I seek the office of Secretary-General because I believe the United Nations remains indispensable – not because it is perfect, but because no other institution possesses its universal legitimacy, convening power, and moral responsibility,” he added. The Secretary-General must be an independent guardian of the Charter, an honest broker among Member States, and a visionary leader of the world’s most complex multilateral institution. The role demands integrity, impartiality, courage, and the ability to listen carefully and to lead. These qualities are particularly vital at a time when the United Nations is called upon to undertake profound reform, reduce costs, and refocus on its core mission. Above all, the Secretary-General must serve all Member States impartially and work to build a better future for all,” he said.

Keeping channels open

Sinirlioğlu noted that diplomacy remained “the most powerful tool for reducing tensions and managing risks in an environment marked by mistrust.”

“The United Nations was founded on a simple yet enduring truth: security cannot be built against one another. As hard as it may be, it must be built with one another. That principle has not changed, and our responsibility to uphold it has never been greater. In this regard, resolving today’s complex conflicts requires keeping channels of communication open, and reopening those that have been closed. Engaging with those with whom we disagree is not a concession but a responsibility. It is essential for avoiding misunderstandings and reducing the risk of miscalculation in today’s volatile security environment. The Secretary-General, through the exercise of the Organization’s good offices and preventive diplomacy, can bridge divides, build trust, and help achieve results both at the negotiating table and on the ground. Our objective should not simply be to manage crises, but to prevent them. To that end, the United Nations should strengthen its capacities for early warning, mediation, peacebuilding, and cooperation with regional partners in order to reduce human suffering and the enormous costs of war. At the same time, UN peacekeeping operations continue to serve the cause of peace by fostering stability, supporting peace agreements, and protecting civilians. Although they are not an end in themselves, these operations create the conditions necessary to sustain peace and must remain agile, effective, and responsive through continuous review and reform,” he said.

Türkiye’s nomination of Sinirlioğlu is intended to help overcome a deadlock in the selection process, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said Saturday.

“Our goal is to provide a diplomatic contribution aimed at overcoming the impasse,” Fidan told Anadolu Agency (AA) and Turkish public broadcaster TRT.

In a letter dated Friday to the presidents of the General Assembly and the Security Council, Türkiye’s U.N. Ambassador Ahmet Yıldız transmitted President Erdoğan’s nomination letter, in line with the U.N. Charter and a General Assembly resolution.

Fidan said Ankara had been “closely monitoring” the selection process and anticipated that difficulties could emerge among the candidates, prompting Türkiye to consider putting forward its own nominee. He said the process had been underway for about a year, with several candidates from Latin America competing in line with the informal geographical rotation traditionally considered in selecting the U.N. chief. Türkiye respects the expectation that Latin America should have the opportunity to produce the next secretary-general, Fidan said, but added that the process had reached a stalemate.

He explained that the nomination of candidates from other regions when the selection process becomes deadlocked is not unprecedented in U.N. history.

Fidan said Türkiye decided to formally nominate Sinirlioğlu after the latest developments in the selection process, including voting involving the United Arab Emirates’ candidate Lana Nusseibeh.

He added that Türkiye had already agreed to put forward its candidate if certain conditions emerged during the selection process. “Once the deadlock became clear, we officially submitted our own candidate to the U.N. with a letter signed by our president,” he said.

He stressed that Ankara’s decision was not simply an attempt to enter the competition but rather an effort to contribute to resolving the impasse.

Fidan said Sinirlioğlu is an experienced career diplomat with extensive international experience, including his previous service as Türkiye’s U.N. ambassador.

Fidan stressed that Türkiye attaches great importance to multilateralism and the effective functioning of international organizations, particularly the U.N.

He said Erdoğan strongly supports a U.N. system that operates “genuinely and fairly,” adding that Türkiye will continue contributing to efforts to strengthen the organization.

“Türkiye will continue to do everything it can to contribute to this,” Fidan said, describing Sinirlioğlu’s nomination as one part of Ankara’s broader diplomatic efforts.

A candidate needs at least nine votes in the Security Council to secure the required support, while any of the five permanent members – the U.S., China, France, Russia and the U.K. – can block a candidate with a veto.

The eventual nominee must be appointed by the General Assembly, with that step generally considered a formality once the Security Council has reached an agreement. The term of Antonio Guterres, the current secretary-general, ends on Dec. 31.

Burhanettin Duran, head of the Turkish Presidency’s Communications Directorate, confirmed President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s visit to South Korea. Media outlets had earlier reported that a visit to Seoul was planned for November, without specifying a date. Duran said Erdoğan would be in South Korea from Nov. 1 to Nov. 4 at the invitation of his South Korean counterpart, Lee Jae Myung.

In a social media post, Duran said Turkish and South Korean officials would assess all aspects of their strategic partnership during Erdoğan’s visit, along with current regional and global issues. He noted that several documents would be signed during the visit to further strengthen bilateral relations.

Kang Yoo-jung, senior spokesperson for the South Korean presidency, said in a statement on Sunday that it would be Erdoğan’s first visit to the country in eight years. She noted that the South Korean president last visited Türkiye in November 2025. Lee was among the leaders of non-NATO countries invited to Türkiye for last July’s NATO summit, where he also held a bilateral meeting with Erdoğan. The South Korean spokesperson said the two leaders would sign memorandums of understanding in several fields. She added that Türkiye and South Korea established diplomatic relations in 1957 and elevated their ties to the level of a strategic partnership in 2012.

“Through this summit, the two leaders are scheduled to review the progress of projects resulting from last year’s summit and discuss ways to strengthen trade and investment, nuclear power and defense cooperation, cooperation in future industries such as energy, science and technology, and social and cultural exchanges. They will also discuss major international issues, including the situation on the Korean Peninsula and in the Middle East. President Erdoğan’s state visit is expected to serve as an opportunity to further strengthen the strategic partnership between the two countries ahead of the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2027,” the spokesperson said.

Economic relations between Ankara and Seoul continue to develop on the basis of trade, investment and technological cooperation, alongside strong political ties dating back to the Korean War.

Trade relations, which gained a new dimension with the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) signed in 2012 and implemented in 2013, have expanded in recent years across a range of sectors, from automotive and defense to energy and digital technologies.

Türkiye has recently prioritized the development of joint projects with South Korea in strategic areas including nuclear energy, artificial intelligence, semiconductors, battery technologies, critical minerals, innovation and renewable energy. South Korea is also included in Türkiye’s “Far Countries Strategy,” which aims to boost exports to geographically distant but high-potential markets, and is listed among the country’s target export markets.

Bilateral trade between the two countries has grown steadily in recent years. According to data from the Turkish Statistical Institute (TurkStat), trade volume between Türkiye and South Korea totaled $50.8 billion during the five-year period from 2021 to 2025. Bilateral trade reached $11.4 billion last year and amounted to $3.7 billion in the first four months of this year.

Türkiye’s main exports to South Korea include pharmaceutical products, metal ores, machinery and equipment, and seafood, while imports from South Korea are led by iron and steel, plastics and plastic products, and motor vehicles.

Strengthening investment ties with South Korea is also seen as crucial for building stable and long-term cooperation.

A total of 226 South Korean companies have investments in Türkiye worth approximately $451 million, including major firms such as Hyundai Motor Company and LG Electronics.

In recent years, the two countries have continued to expand defense industry cooperation through various projects, particularly the Altay main battle tank program. Talks with South Korean companies have also intensified regarding the planned second nuclear power plant project in Sinop. Having previously collaborated on major infrastructure projects such as the 1915 Çanakkale Bridge and the Eurasia Tunnel, the two countries are further deepening cooperation through new highway and urban development protocols signed last year.

Meanwhile, a cooperation agreement signed between the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Türkiye (TÜBITAK) and the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) enables Turkish and South Korean researchers to develop and receive funding for joint scientific R&D projects focusing on artificial intelligence, advanced materials and digital technologies.

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Devlet Bahçeli, leader of the government ally, the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), is persisting in his proposal to establish new provinces across the country. Three years after reviving the proposal for a second time, Bahçeli returned to it on Sunday, this time providing more details. For the veteran politician, the plan is a way to ensure more efficient use of resources amid changing dynamics in Türkiye, which currently has 81 provinces.

His ambitious plan, titled “100 Provinces, 1,000 Districts,” was published by Türkgün, a news website and newspaper close to Bahçeli, on Sunday. In an interview with the newspaper, Bahçeli said they proposed declaring 19 additional provinces and 78 new districts. “Certain districts should be upgraded to provincial status due to their growing populations, development potential, geographical location, difficulties in accessing services and strategic importance,” he said, describing these as objective criteria.

Current criteria for upgrading a district to provincial status include a population threshold (at least 100,000 residents), distance from the provincial center, economic and commercial potential, and overall development status. Still, not every district that meets the criteria is immediately upgraded, as the move requires approval by Parliament. The last district to be granted provincial status was Düzce in the north in 1999, following two devastating earthquakes that necessitated a massive recovery budget. Bahçeli’s hometown of Osmaniye, previously a district of Adana in the south, was also among the settlements upgraded to provincial status during a wave of provincial expansions in the 1980s and 1990s, when Türkiye converted districts into provinces almost every year. Becoming a province means receiving a larger share of the central government budget for local administration.

Bahçeli said the need for restructuring the provincial system also stemmed from the necessity of changing the duties, powers and responsibilities of existing institutions and organizations, preventing conflicts of authority, and ensuring the effective fulfillment of state functions, including newly established public services. Pointing to changes in the functioning of institutions within Türkiye’s administrative system, Bahçeli said these developments also necessitated regulatory reforms. He noted that the introduction of new technologies into the system, problems arising from their use, changes in administrative and public relations systems, and incompatibilities between governance, the socioeconomic structure and the political order were among the key factors driving this need.

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was in Istanbul on Saturday, where he met President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan for talks focusing on Black Sea grain corridor and maritime safety.

Also on Saturday, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, who was in the U.S. city of Atlanta for a G-20 foreign ministers’ meeting, called on both sides of the Russia-Ukraine conflict to make a deal to reach a peace agreement, warning that the nearly five-year war has inflicted enormous damage on the global economy and carries the risk of further regional escalation.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency (AA) and broadcaster TRT on the sidelines of the G-20 meeting, Fidan said the economic and social costs of the conflict have become increasingly difficult to ignore, particularly for European countries. “These wars are no longer sustainable. Therefore, Russia and Ukraine must reach an agreement,” he said.

He added that a lasting settlement would require not only peace between Russia and Ukraine but also an improved relationship between Russia and Europe.

“A constructive relationship between Europe and Russia needs to be redefined in the aftermath of peace. This is because any peace agreement that Ukraine reaches with Russia will not be limited to those two countries alone. In a sense, Europe also needs to reconcile with Russia and restart certain aspects of their relationship. This is important,” Fidan stressed.

Fidan warned that the closure of the Strait of Hormuz had significantly compounded the economic consequences of the Ukraine war, further disrupting energy supplies and international trade. He said the interconnected nature of the global economy made it “increasingly difficult” to calculate the full financial impact of these disruptions. European industries had long benefited from relatively inexpensive Russian energy, which supported manufacturing, exports, and related financial activities. The breakdown of these economic connections has created far-reaching consequences, he explained. He stressed that the mounting economic burden must be brought to an end.

Fidan also expressed concern over disruptions to commercial shipping in the Black Sea, noting that Russian and Ukrainian grain and energy supplies are struggling to reach international markets. “Food security, in particular, is an incredibly problematic issue. It needs to be brought to a halt as soon as possible.”

He said Türkiye is continuing intensive diplomatic contacts and making substantial efforts to facilitate the transportation of grain from the Black Sea to international markets.

Fidan said the Ukraine war has caused significant human suffering alongside its economic and geostrategic consequences. He voiced concern that the conflict could spread further if international efforts fail to stop it.

He said many of the scenarios Türkiye had previously feared of the war expanding had already materialized.

“If we do not stop it, the conflict could expand further, a scenario we certainly do not wish to see. To be frank, we are warning both international and regional actors about this. For our part, we will continue to do everything we can,” he said.

Using its good relations with both Russia and Ukraine, Türkiye has continued to position itself as a diplomatic interlocutor in efforts to end the war and address its broader regional and international consequences.

In a joint news conference with Zelenskyy on Saturday, President Erdoğan stated that attacks on civilian vessels could further escalate tensions in Black Sea, which would serve no one’s interests.

Underlining that their meeting also addressed ensuring Black Sea maritime safety, Erdoğan said that Ankara has been “actively” working to protect maritime safety and stability.

“However, in parallel with the recent escalation, we are witnessing the conflict spreading into the Black Sea,” he said. “We cannot accept these attacks under any circumstances, regardless of who carries them out or what justification they may offer,” he added, urging both parties to act responsibly and conduct themselves accordingly.

The Turkish president vowed that Ankara would continue to hold talks with both sides on restoring safety in the Black Sea.

Erdoğan underlined that the talks between Ukraine and Russia, hosted by Türkiye, had shown that concrete results can be achieved through diplomacy. “Even at this stage, we maintain that there can be no losers in a just peace,” he said. The Turkish leader expressed Ankara’s readiness to make “every possible effort to pave the way for peace” in Ukraine.

He voiced hope for fresh momentum to efforts aimed at achieving lasting peace in Ukraine, helped by a possible deal over safety in the Black Sea. He said they intend to advance the process through discussions with Russia as well. “Today, we once again reaffirmed our commitment to the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of our strategic partner, Ukraine,” he said. “The entry into force, as of Oct. 1, of the free trade agreement signed between our countries in 2022 represents an important milestone in our bilateral economic and trade relations. “This agreement has brought us one step closer to our target of achieving a bilateral trade volume of $10 billion,” he said. Turkish companies that remained in Ukraine despite the war, which began in 2022, will play a significant role in the country’s reconstruction, he added.

For his part, Zelenskyy said that he had agreed with Erdoğan to work on the Black Sea grain corridor.

“Today, I reached an agreement with President Erdoğan to work on the Black Sea grain corridor. Our goal is to ensure that this corridor remains in place and continues to function effectively,” he said during the news conference.

Türkiye was instrumental in establishing the first Black Sea grain corridor of 2022-2023. Zelenskyy said Türkiye supports efforts to ensure safe navigation in the Black Sea and restore normal living conditions. “Türkiye consistently supports our efforts to ensure our sovereignty and territorial integrity, secure safe navigation in the Black Sea, and restore normal living conditions in the Black Sea region,” he said.

He also described Türkiye and Ukraine as allies in defense and the defense industry, saying their cooperation would continue to grow. “We are working on new joint industrial ventures and other economic projects. The free trade agreement between our nations has entered into force, creating new opportunities for both the Ukrainian and Turkish business communities,” he said.

He added that progress on freedom of navigation would help unlock the agreement’s full potential, while energy and infrastructure projects offered significant opportunities for both countries. “Especially at a time when the Russians have intensified their terrorist attacks on the energy infrastructure of our cities and villages, every energy project we undertake with our partners carries great importance,” he said.

Zelenskyy said he also met representatives from Turkish energy companies and expected supplies of generators and other energy equipment to increase in the coming week. He urged the swift implementation of agreements reached at the presidential level and thanked Türkiye for its continued support, saying cooperation in security and the economy was growing stronger despite difficult circumstances. Zelenskyy also said Ukraine was preparing for trilateral talks with Russia and the US scheduled for the first half of November.

“We discussed the prospects of this format and other possibilities with the president, specifically the potential for including Türkiye and the rest of Europe in the process, as well as the possibility of holding meetings here in Türkiye,” he said.

He stressed that “strong decisions are needed to achieve peace” and urged a clear message to be delivered to Russia at every level that there was no alternative to peace and that support for Ukraine would not weaken. He said de-escalation was possible if Russia was compelled to take steps to reduce tensions.