Mustafa Çiftçi, who was appointed as Interior Minister in February, underlined that they were working for the “Century of Peace” as the Republic of Türkiye is now in its second century. “Our security paradigm is centered on prevention,” he told journalists at a panel in Ankara on Tuesday about the media’s role in the fight against drugs.

Çiftçi said drugs were “a cluster of problems” and expanded organized crime networks, adding that they were also a source of revenue for financing terrorism. “It is a dark swamp feeding many crimes. It is our responsibility as the state to drain it,” he said.

Türkiye has long been a critical transit hub for illicit drug trafficking due to its location bridging Europe and Asia. It is on the so-called Balkan Route where heroin from Asia is trafficked to Europe, while synthetic drugs manufactured in Europe are trafficked to Asian countries.

The minister said Türkiye’s strategic location meant great opportunities in other fields, but it also meant a greater responsibility for the fight against crimes across borders. He noted that Türkiye’s struggle was not only a security matter confined to its own borders, citing the drug trafficking routes, international crime rings and regional instability, adding that it contributed to regional and global security. “Under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, we are building upon a vision for peace, security, stability and a strong social structure. We center our vision on family, youth, the future,” he said.

Çiftçi noted that the fight against drugs was not limited to counternarcotics operations, capturing suspects and legal procedures. “We are operating on a holistic approach, diagnosing the risk at its source, closing the paths to crimes, protecting the youth, raising awareness among families,” he said. The minister stated that one of the most important tools of this approach is the Project Support System (PRODES), carried out within the ministry’s Directorate General for Relations with Civil Society. “Our ministry provides grant support to associations in exchange for projects, the institutional capacities of our NGOs are strengthened, public-NGO cooperation is improved, and solutions to social problems are produced through voluntary organizations.”

Referring to the prevention projects carried out by the Ministry of Interior, Çiftçi reported that 9,798,000 citizens have been reached through these efforts.

“Between Jan. 1 and April 25, 2026, we carried out 17,188 operations against drug manufacturing and trafficking. In these operations, 16.8 tons of narcotics, 51.2 million drug pills, and 49,000 cannabis and skunk drugs (a cheap hybrid drug) were seized. The fact that 46 of the 298 organized crime groups we targeted were focused on narcotic crimes clearly shows how intertwined the drug threat is with organized crime, street violence, illegal money networks and the financing of terrorism.”

Expressing that the role of the media in the fight against drugs is a matter of utmost importance, Çiftçi said: “We see the media as one of our most strategic stakeholders that raises social awareness, warns families, protects youth, brings the public together with accurate information, and carries the will to fight to the broad masses. I would especially like to state that every media representative here undertakes a very valuable responsibility that appeals to the common conscience of society. This is because, in this struggle, words are at least as important as operations. News language, visual choices, headlines, repeated expressions and broadcast flow directly affect social perception. Any narrative that encourages, normalizes, sensationalizes or arouses curiosity about drugs causes great harm to the struggle.”

Çiftçi stated that any expression that portrays drugs as attractive, pleasurable, or easily accessible creates a risk for young people. He emphasized the need to avoid news language that marginalizes, hurts or portrays addicted individuals as helpless or dangerous. Since last year, a string of high-profile drug busts targeted celebrities, from singers and actors to social media influencers. Dozens of suspects were detained and tested for drugs.

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The Greek Cypriot administration’s plan for the deployment of French troops to the divided island has angered Turkish Cypriots.

Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Prime Minister Ünal Üstel slammed remarks by the leader of the Greek Cypriot administration on deploying French soldiers in southern Cyprus, saying it was “an extremely dangerous, provocative and unacceptable step.”

Üstel said the remarks were likely to cause “serious damage to the atmosphere of peace and stability on the island.”

“On the one hand, (Nikos) Christodoulides and his mindset speak of a new negotiation process; on the other hand, they ignore and disregard the Turkish Cypriot people. This contradictory attitude clearly reveals his real intention,” he said on Monday, according to local media.

He underscored that any military presence or military step on the island requires the consent and approval of the Turkish Cypriot people. Any move taken without such approval, he said, would be “null and void under international law.”

“No EU member can make decisions or take actions that disregard the TRNC’s sovereign rights and security,” Üstel said.

“(French President Emmanuel) Macron’s arrogant remarks and attitude are also noteworthy. France, known for its colonial mentality in almost every country it enters, can offer the Greek Cypriots only great disappointment in the long term.

“France, a member of the EU, which is one of the biggest obstacles to a just and lasting solution in Cyprus, attempting to deploy troops on the island is also a clear indication of the EU’s hypocritical policy,” he added.

“Abandoning the colonial approach to the Cyprus issue and adopting a fair stance” are expected from Macron and the EU, he stressed.

Üstel said steps taken, or intended to be taken, while ignoring Turkish Cypriots “will certainly receive the necessary response.”

“You are turning southern Cyprus into a base for foreign soldiers and a sphere of influence for foreign powers. This policy will bring no benefit either to you or to the Greek Cypriot people. My advice is that you abandon these dangerous steps as soon as possible; otherwise, you will once again be the losing side,” he warned, addressing Christodoulides.

Christodoulides announced on Sunday that they would sign an agreement with France for the deployment, for “humanitarian purposes.” He said the agreement was expected to be finalized in June. The Greek Cypriot leader recently welcomed Macron to the island, a few months after the two sides signed a strategic partnership agreement.

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New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani incurred the wrath of the Turkish American community after his remarks regarding the so-called Armenian “genocide.”

The community on Monday staged a protest where several Turkish associations rallied in Times Square. Protesters chanted slogans and carried placards to protest the remarks, while a small group of Armenian Americans confronted the protesters.

Digital trucks displaying information countering the claims mentioned by Mamdani also passed through Times Square. Trucks displayed information about the history of the issue, as well as information about Turkish diplomats and civilians killed by the Armenian terrorist group ASALA in the 1970s and 1980s, including in the U.S.

Participants said in a statement issued regarding the protest that the mayor’s characterization of recent developments in Karabakh was inaccurate. The statement noted that, as mayor of a city bringing together diverse cultures and ethnic groups, Mamdani’s remarks risk alienating communities he is responsible for serving.

It also stressed that the events of 1915-1923 should be evaluated in light of historical facts and called for avoiding rhetoric that deepens misunderstandings.

In his social media post marking the anniversary of the 1915 events, Mamdani said “1.5 million Armenians” were killed by the Ottoman Empire and claimed that Azerbaijan and Türkiye attacked Armenians in Karabakh in 2020, adding that more than 100,000 Armenians were “expelled” from the region in 2023.

Türkiye objects to the presentation of the 1915 incidents as “genocide,” describing them as a tragedy in which both sides suffered casualties.

Ankara has repeatedly proposed the creation of a joint commission of historians from Türkiye and Armenia, as well as international experts, to tackle the issue.

Gökhan Doğan, vice president of the Turkish American National Steering Committee, said at the rally that they convened to exhibit a strong stand against the remarks. “Mamdani’s words deeply hurt the Turkish American community. It has been a routine for Armenians to bring their lies into politics. We will continue telling that this should remain a matter for historians. We are deeply affected that Mamdani joined this plot,” he said. Doğan said that their community would remain standing united against untrue allegations.

Addressing the protest, Gülay Aydemir, chair of the Federation of Turkish American Associations, said it does not matter who voiced the lies. “We are here for Türkiye to advocate the truth. I believe we have to raise our voice stronger against the mayor’s remarks. As long as we stand united, such remarks will not be repeated,” she said.

Mamdani’s remarks also irked Türkiye, while the mayor also claimed that Türkiye “attacked Karabakh” in the same social media post during Azerbaijan’s offensive to liberate its territory from the Armenian occupation in 2020. Yet, Türkiye had a toned-down or more general response to the allegations of genocide.

Türkiye’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement on April 24 that a growing climate of peace and reconciliation in the South Caucasus reflects a strong push by regional actors seeking stability and cooperation, while warning against efforts to inflame tensions rooted in historical disputes. In a statement, the ministry said parties involved in discussions over the events of 1915 share a clear stance against the politicization of the issue, criticizing some third-country politicians for exploiting the matter for narrow political interests or to deflect from their own responsibilities.

Ankara reiterated that Türkiye, which it said has long embodied a culture of coexistence, has opened its archives and continues to support the establishment of a joint history commission to examine the events of 1915 in a fair and objective manner. The proposal, the ministry noted, remains on the table. Calling for a forward-looking approach, the ministry urged third parties with constructive intentions to support ongoing dialogue efforts and contribute to building a shared and just historical understanding, as well as reinforcing the region’s emerging atmosphere of cooperation.

Türkiye’s position on the 1915 events is that the deaths of Armenians in eastern Anatolia took place when some sided with the invading Russians and revolted against Ottoman forces. A subsequent relocation of Armenians resulted in numerous casualties, made worse by massacres conducted by militaries and militia groups from both sides. The mass arrests of prominent Ottoman Armenian politicians, intellectuals and other community members suspected of links with separatist groups, harboring nationalist sentiments and being hostile to Ottoman rule occurred in the then-capital city of Istanbul on April 24, 1915. The date is commemorated as the beginning of later “atrocities.” Ankara objects to the presentation of these incidents as “genocide,” describing them as a tragedy in which both sides suffered casualties.

Ankara is of the opinion that controversial episodes in history, such as the events of 1915, should be studied without prejudice by respecting the scientific and legal principles to write a just account of the incidents. With this understanding, Türkiye proposed the establishment of a Joint History Commission and opened its archives.

Mamdani’s statements had prompted Azerbaijan to issue a scathing criticism as well. Aykhan Hajizada, spokesperson for Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry, responded to statements regarding Karabakh on social media on April 25 and has called Mamdani to “act responsibly and refrain from spreading misinformation.”

“We reject your inflammatory statement. Such remarks demonstrate a lack of understanding of history and realities of the region, and distort facts for political narratives. In 2020, Azerbaijan acted within its internationally recognized sovereign territory, in line with international law and UN Security Council resolutions. The counter-terror measures of 2023 resulted in restoration of Azerbaijan’s constitutional order following three decades of illegal occupation. Claims of ‘expulsion’ ignore the fact that Armenian residents were offered reintegration, full equal rights, and security guarantees. It is particularly troubling that an elected official promotes one-sided narratives while ignoring ethnic cleansing and massacres against hundreds of thousands of Azerbaijanis during the occupation period, as well as destruction of cultural and religious heritage.”

Such reckless statements are unacceptable and should be removed without delay, Hajizada said in his post.

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President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said on Monday that they were seeking to “read the change and manage it well” as the world was going through a transformation in the age of artificial intelligence and robotics.

The Turkish leader was speaking at the OECD Skills summit in Ankara. The summit is hosted by the Ministry of Labor and Social Security and was attended by representatives of agencies and governments from dozens of countries. It focused on the impact of artificial intelligence and related developments on the workforce, skills that will be required in employment in the future and adapting education systems to these changes.

The president said that it was clear that the pace of transformation cannot be changed or prevented, but the decision-makers can shape it. “We see major changes in employment in particular. The technological developments transform methods of production, evolve occupations. Some jobs disappear while others emerge,” he said. Erdoğan stated that the summit was significant and hoped that it would contribute to shaping the global skills policies. “The international studies demonstrate that population of working age in most of OECD countries is shrinking. Our population is aging and our labor markets face new pressures, new challenges. Digital and green transformation radically change the features of skill demands. Labor demand inevitably drops in some sectors while there is a shortage in finding employees in new fields of employment,” he said. “This is also experienced by our country. Widespread use of artificial intelligence and robotics technologies bring about new opportunities, along with new concerns,” he said.

He noted that education is a priority in this new process. “Knowledge is one of the greatest resources for a country, a company or an individual. The outdated knowledge, however, is a burden. It is essential to process knowledge, to transform it as much as having it. So, the education, with all its components, should adapt to the pace of change,” he said. Erdoğan pointed out that OECD surveys indicated that students’ basic skills in many countries were in decline and the teaching workforce was aging. “We are no longer living in an era where education starts at school and ends with obtaining a diploma. Education is now a lifelong dynamic process,” he said. Erdoğan also noted that the world population was aging and this meant that people would spend more time in the workforce compared to the past decades. “Add this extreme individualization and dissolution of traditional family structure as well as selfishness and we face a serious situation,” he warned.

Erdoğan stated that on this matter, Türkiye was ahead of many countries, pointing out to strong family ties and a culture of charity and solidarity. He added that his government was strengthening the family with new projects and keeping everyone covered with the world’s most comprehensive social security system.

The president said they also concentrated on the education of adults. “Updating the skills of adults, giving them skills in new fields and helping them to adapt to the change is critical. Flexible education models, career guidance mechanisms and efficient collaborations with employers will be defining factors in labor markets. Lifelong learning will also boost countries’ competitive edge,” he said. Erdoğan said discrimination in the workforce meant the absence of a fair order and noted that Türkiye managed to improve women’s participation in the workforce to that extent. “This rate was 27.9% when our governments came to power and it has now risen to 34.7,” he underlined. He said they removed all barriers women faced in participation in social life, the economy and education. In this context, he referred to a new benefit for women that Parliament recently approved by increasing maternity leave to 24 weeks for working mothers.

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Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan will pay a two-day official visit to Austria starting on Wednesday.

His visit will kick off with a meeting with Austrian Minister for European and International Affairs Beate Meinl-Reisinger. He is also expected to be received by Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker and hold talks with Feridun Sinirlioğlu, a veteran Turkish diplomat who now serves as secretary-general of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). He will also address a conference at the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna and is scheduled to attend a meeting with the representatives of Turkish civic society organizations in Austria.

Foreign Ministry sources said Fidan’s talks will touch upon a broad range of issues, from bilateral ties to current affairs. His talks with the Austrian officials will concentrate on exploring the opportunities to deepen fields of cooperation, diversification of commercial and economic relations, increasing the trade volume and discussing potential for promoting mutual investments. Sources said Fidan would also highlight cooperation potential in strategic fields, particularly energy, digitalization, connectivity and the defense industry. In addition, the minister will emphasize that Türkiye attaches importance to the well-being, prosperity and social harmony of the Turkish community in Austria.

On relations with the EU, sources said Fidan would express Türkiye’s commitment to full membership in the bloc as part of the vision laid out by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. He will also underline that it was of interest to all parties to approach Türkiye-EU relations through a strategic vision rather than narrow-minded political calculations and the need for a more comprehensive and institutionalized cooperation to overcome the current challenges in relations.

On the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Fidan will voice Türkiye’s commitment to efforts to end the conflict with a fair and sustainable peace and persuade the sides to return to negotiations to achieve this goal, according to the Foreign Ministry sources.

Other issues that Türkiye’s top diplomat will discuss with Austrian officials include the U.S.-Israel-Iran war, the situation in the Strait of Hormuz and the situation in Gaza. Fidan will express Türkiye’s commitment to efforts to end the conflict permanently and highlight the necessity of a return to the status quo in the Strait of Hormuz and ensuring unhindered passage. On Gaza, sources said Fidan would stress Israel’s violations of the cease-fire and its steps to derail the peace plan. He will also point out how the Netanyahu administration encouraged illegal settler terrorism and expanded the occupation of the Palestinian territories systemically. According to the diplomatic sources, Fidan would also highlight that Israel’s policies of occupation and destruction threatened peace and stability in the entire region.

Türkiye and Austria, which fought several wars during the Ottoman era, fought together in World War I, and after the fall of the empire, established good ties. Austria’s Meinl-Reisinger last met Fidan during the Antalya Diplomacy Forum earlier this month.

Austria and Türkiye’s trade volume exceeded $4.3 billion in 2025, and the countries aim to elevate it to $5 billion in the short run. Foreign direct investment in Türkiye by Austria surpassed $11.2 billion between 2005 and 2025, while the Turkish investments in Austria in the same period were $887 million.

Austria also has a large Turkish community numbered around 350,000 people, while Türkiye is popular among Austrian tourists. In 2025, more than 563,000 Austrian tourists visited Türkiye.

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Türkiye’s communications chief said Sunday that establishing an information ecosystem based on accurate, verified and reliable data is among the country’s top priorities, warning that modern conflicts are increasingly being fought not only on battlefields but also through screens, perceptions and public narratives.

Burhanettin Duran, head of Türkiye’s Communications Directorate, made the remarks at the closing session of the Muslim Impact Forum 2026 in Istanbul, where he said the world was undergoing a deep transformation marked by wars, genocide, pandemics and weakening trust in international institutions.

Duran said the international system had reached a critical threshold, arguing that institutions once seen as the backbone of global order no longer offer a clear vision for the future.

“We are truly passing through a turning point,” he said. “But the main issue is that the international community and the institutions once regarded as the backbone of the global system do not have a clear forward-looking vision.”

He noted that one sign of the current crisis was that major powers were increasingly unwilling to assume major responsibilities. In many cases, he added, the founders of the old system had become its main disruptors.

Duran stressed international institutions created to preserve stability and resolve conflicts had become increasingly ineffective, while crimes against humanity had either been committed or tolerated.

Against that backdrop, he said the Communications Directorate views the creation of a trusted information environment as one of its most urgent goals.

“In today’s climate of growing uncertainty in the international system, wars are no longer fought only on the front line, but also in minds, on screens and through perceptions,” Duran said. “Fake videos, manipulated content and organized propaganda networks now form the new front lines of conflicts.”

He said strategic communication must be considered alongside crisis management and conflict zones, adding that Türkiye, under President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, was working to strengthen its capacity to manage information rationally, shape the future and counter perception operations.

Duran noted that Türkiye had recognized the shortcomings of the international system earlier than many other actors because of its geography and history, and had repeatedly called for reform.

He cited crises ranging from Iraq and Syria to the Azerbaijan-Armenia conflict, Ukraine, the Iranian nuclear issue and Gaza, saying Türkiye had played roles as a mediator and peace-oriented actor.

He reminded Erdoğan’s phrase “The world is bigger than five” as a direct response to what Türkiye sees as injustice, imbalance and dysfunction at the center of the global order.

Duran said Muslim countries and societies had little influence in shaping the international order established 80 years ago and that global institutions did not adequately reflect their values, traditions or experiences. As a result, he said, Muslim societies became actors expected to adopt norms rather than set them.

He called on Muslim societies to reclaim their own narratives through cooperation between states, civil society, academics, journalists, artists and citizens.

Duran said digital literacy, verification mechanisms and institutions fighting disinformation were now essential in countering Islamophobia, prejudice and hate campaigns.

“If we cannot tell our own story, others will continue to tell it on our behalf,” he said. “And if others tell our story, they will also define our place in the world.”

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