Türkiye’s foreign minister accused Saturday of using security concerns as cover for territorial expansion, in the latest flare-up in escalating tensions between the two regional powers.

Israel and Türkiye have been trading near-daily diplomatic barbs over a range of regional conflicts, from Israel’s war on Gaza to rising tensions linked to Iran.

“Israel is not after its own security. Israel is after more land,” Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum in the Mediterranean resort city.

“Security is being used by the Netanyahu government as an excuse to occupy more land,” he added, referring to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Speaking in English at a panel discussion, Fidan said Israel had created an “illusion” internationally by portraying itself as acting purely in its own defense.

“It has become very clear, especially in recent years, that it is more than that,” he said.

From Palestinian lands including Gaza, the West Bank and East Jerusalem, and now extending towards Lebanon and Syria, Israel was pursuing “an onward occupation and expansionism in the region,” Fidan said.

“I think this has to stop.”

“Israel has to know that the only way to live peacefully in the region is to let other countries enjoy their own security, territorial integrity and freedom, and not to use power against them,” he added.

Türkiye and Israel have frequently been at odds, including over Israel’s military campaign in Gaza that have killed over 73,000 Palestinians and differences over Syria’s future.

Relations were severely strained in 2010 when Israeli forces raided a flotilla of ships attempting to breach Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza, killing nine Turkish activists and one U.S. national. The flotilla was co-organised by a Turkish aid group.

‘Move back to Russia-Ukraine talks’

Fidan on Friday met the foreign ministers of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Egypt for talks on regional issues, including the Middle East conflict, on the sidelines of the forum.

Asked about the discussions, Fidan said regional countries needed to come together to address shared challenges.

“It is time for all of us to come together in a very mature way and own our problems,” he said, again singling out Israel as the only country seeking territorial gains.

Commenting on Türkiye’s quiet diplomacy over the Russia-Ukraine war, Fidan said those efforts had been overshadowed by tensions involving Iran.

“That has left the Russia-Ukraine war on the side,” he said.

He added that attention should shift back to Ukraine talks once tensions with Iran eased, warning that the conflict remained open to escalation.

Türkiye, which has hosted several rounds of Russia-Ukraine negotiations, is also hosting Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha at separate panels during the Antalya Diplomacy Forum.

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The 5th Antalya Diplomacy Forum opened in Türkiye on Friday, gathering global leaders and top officials to discuss rising international challenges and uncertainties, including the Middle East war.

Held under the auspices of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and hosted by the Turkish Foreign Ministry, the three-day forum is taking place in the southern Mediterranean city of Antalya under the theme “Mapping Tomorrow, Managing Uncertainties.”

The high-stakes forum is also bringing together the foreign ministers of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Egypt.

Pakistan’s powerful army chief met senior negotiators in Tehran on Thursday as Washington and Iran considered a fresh round of talks to end the six-week war.

The foreign ministers of Türkiye, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Egypt are to meet on the sidelines of the forum, with the war and the blockade of the crucial Strait of Hormuz expected to dominate. The timing of the meeting has not yet been announced.

Pakistan has positioned itself as a key mediator in regional diplomacy, having hosted rare talks between Iran and the U.S. last weekend, which ended inconclusively.

“We are making the necessary efforts to reduce tensions, extend the cease-fire and continue the negotiations,” Erdogan said in an address to his ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) in Parliament this week.

“Negotiations cannot take place with clenched fists. Weapons must not be allowed to speak again instead of words. The window of opportunity opened by the cease-fire must be fully utilized.”

The White House has said further talks with Iran would “very likely” be in Islamabad, where Vice President JD Vance led the U.S. delegation in the last round of negotiations.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, who met Qatar’s ruler in Doha on Thursday as part of a regional tour, will also join the forum and meet Erdoğan on its margins, as Islamabad pushes for a U.S.-Iran second round.

“We will continue to provide all the support we can to ensure that the ongoing temporary cease-fire turns into a permanent one,” a Turkish Defense Ministry source said on Thursday.

“We hope that this war, whose effects are being felt increasingly not only regionally but also globally, will come to an end as soon as possible, and that the parties will act constructively in the ongoing negotiation process,” the source said.

Türkiye, while a vocal critic of Israel, has joined diplomatic efforts with Egypt and Pakistan to help reach a cease-fire in the conflict.

Ankara has said the Middle East cease-fire should include Lebanon, which is facing Israeli attacks.

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said on Monday that the strategic Strait of Hormuz should be reopened “as soon as possible” while warning that its status would remain a key point of contention.

He described the waterway as an “international free passage zone,” adding that any disruption to freedom of navigation is not something parties want to see.”

More than 150 countries are expected to take part in the Antalya gathering, including more than 20 heads of state and government.

Among the participants are Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

More than 150 countries are represented at the event, including over 20 heads of state and government and nearly 15 deputy leaders. The forum also brings together more than 50 ministers – over 40 of them foreign ministers – as well as representatives from 75 international organizations.

In total, more than 460 high-level participants and nearly 5,000 attendees, including academics and students, are expected to take part.

Participants from Africa and Europe make up nearly half of the attending heads of state, while foreign ministers are expected to join mainly from Africa (around 40%), Europe (35%) and Asia (22%).

The forum features more than 40 panels and events, including leadership-level discussions addressing political, economic, environmental and technological challenges, with a particular focus on the evolving global landscape.

Sessions are being streamed live on the forum’s official website and social media platforms, with several also broadcast by Türkiye’s public broadcaster TRT.

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Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa said Friday that a strengthened partnership between Syria and Türkiye could serve as a cornerstone for regional stability and global security, as his country seeks to rebuild ties and reposition itself after years of conflict.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency (AA) on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum (ADF), al-Sharaa emphasized the historical and geographic ties between the two countries, describing their relationship as a foundation on which broader cooperation could be built.

“The Syria-Türkiye partnership is a base upon which many things can be constructed for the future of regional and global security,” he said.

Al-Sharaa noted that Syria had been largely isolated from the region and the international community under the former regime, but said the country’s transition had opened new opportunities to restore diplomatic and economic relations.

“The liberation of Syria from the former regime created an opportunity to rebuild ties regionally and internationally,” he said, adding that Türkiye had been a consistent supporter of the Syrian opposition for more than a decade.

He described Syria as moving from a period of crisis into a period of opportunity, highlighting ongoing efforts to attract investment and deepen cooperation with regional partners, particularly Türkiye.

Addressing energy security and supply chains, al-Sharaa said Syria’s geographic position offers strategic advantages as a transit corridor linking East and West.

He pointed to disruptions in global energy markets following recent regional tensions, including conflict involving Iran, as increasing the importance of alternative routes.

“Syria can provide a secure corridor for energy supply and trade routes,” he said, noting connections linking the Arab Gulf to Türkiye through Syria and Jordan, as well as access to the Mediterranean Sea.

He also referred to the so-called “Four Seas” project, a regional integration initiative aimed at connecting energy and trade networks across the Caspian Sea, the Mediterranean, the Red Sea and the Gulf. Al-Sharaa said the project reflects a broader global demand for secure supply chains and diversified energy routes.

As part of economic cooperation, al-Sharaa said Syria and Türkiye are working on establishing a free trade zone in the northwestern province of Idlib, located along key transit routes connecting Idlib, Latakia, Aleppo and Damascus.

He added that infrastructure projects are underway, including airport expansions and port investments, with Turkish companies playing an active role in Syria’s reconstruction efforts.

Integration process

On internal developments, al-Sharaa said progress had been made in integrating various armed groups into a unified national framework.

He noted that forces linked to the YPG terrorist group are being incorporated into state structures, while remaining foreign military elements in northeastern Syria have withdrawn.

“The integration process between the Syrian state and these forces is ongoing and progressing positively,” he said, describing it as critical for national stability.

On Jan. 30, the Syrian government announced that it had reached a comprehensive agreement with the U.S.-backed YPG aimed at ending divisions in the country and launching a new phase of integration.

The ministry said the completion of the handover of U.S. sites “represents a natural outcome of the successful integration of the YPG into national structures, and of the Syrian state assuming full responsibility for combating terrorism and addressing regional threats on its territory.”

Recently, the Syrian Foreign Ministry also announced that the government has taken control of all military bases previously used by U.S. forces deployed in the country as part of the international coalition against Daesh, marking a significant shift in control over northeastern regions.

The ministry said in a statement that it “welcomes the completed handover of military sites where United States forces were previously present in Syria to the Syrian government,” adding that the move was carried out “in full coordination between the Syrian and American governments.”

Moreover, reflecting on the Antalya forum, he praised Türkiye’s role in hosting international dialogue platforms and contributing to global diplomacy.

“Türkiye has become a country with significant influence both regionally and globally,” he said.

He concluded with a message to the international community, urging engagement with a changing Syria.

“Syria is no longer defined by crisis,” he said. “It is becoming a place of reconstruction, stability and a new future, a historic opportunity.”

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United Nations officials and Turkish lawmakers highlighted expanding cooperation on humanitarian and development issues during a panel held on the sidelines of the 152nd General Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union in Istanbul.

The discussion, titled “U.N. presence in Türkiye: A test case for closer cooperation between the U.N. and parliaments,” brought together senior U.N. representatives and parliamentarians to assess how legislative bodies can support global development goals and humanitarian work.

U.N. Resident Coordinator in Türkiye, Babatunde Ahonsi, said parliaments play a central role in translating international commitments into national law and ensuring accountability. He said Türkiye has developed a “diverse and inclusive” partnership with the U.N. system, adding that cooperation has continued for years with a strong focus on humanitarian priorities.

Ahonsi noted increasing coordination with the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye and said efforts are moving toward more structured institutional engagement, particularly in areas such as human rights, gender equality, empowerment and child protection.

Daniela Carmela Ciccihella, deputy representative of the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees in Türkiye, said cooperation with lawmakers is critical in shaping legislation affecting refugees and stateless people. She said the U.N. Refugee Agency provides parliamentarians with data, trend analysis and policy support to inform decision-making, stressing the importance of integrating refugee protection into legislative and budgetary processes.

Maryse Guimond, director of U.N. Women in Türkiye, highlighted efforts to strengthen women’s participation in political leadership, saying inclusive governance is key to sustaining peace. She noted that dialogue platforms for women parliamentarians have been established, describing them as a “transformative step” in advancing gender equality.

Malti Gandhi, deputy representative of the United Nations Children’s Fund in Türkiye, said Türkiye serves as a model for cooperation with UNICEF, particularly in turning child-focused priorities into policy discussions at both public and legislative levels. She said the U.N. seeks to support national decision-making while contributing comparative global expertise.

Gandhi added that the broader goal of U.N. engagement with parliaments is to improve living conditions and ensure that “no one is left behind,” underscoring the importance of sustained dialogue between international institutions and national legislatures.

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President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan warned that unlawful attacks on Iran have heightened regional security risks, calling for a new and stronger security architecture during talks with regional leaders at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum.

According to the Presidential Communications Directorate, Erdoğan made the remarks during a meeting with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on the sidelines of the forum.

He emphasized that Türkiye will continue and intensify efforts to preserve the cease-fire and ensure lasting peace, while stressing the need for a comprehensive and durable regional security framework.

The leaders also discussed possible joint steps to achieve sustainable peace across the region.

On the margins of the forum, Erdoğan held a series of bilateral meetings with regional counterparts, including Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, Moldovan President Maia Sandu and Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze.

The meetings, held in Antalya’s Belek region, focused on bilateral ties and regional developments.

Senior Turkish officials, including Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, National Defense Minister Yaşar Güler, National Intelligence Organization head Ibrahim Kalın and Communications Director Burhanettin Duran, attended the meetings.

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Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan called for transforming a fragile cease-fire between the U.S. and Iran into lasting peace and warned of mounting regional risks, saying the Middle East is facing one of its most serious tests in recent history.

Speaking at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, Fidan stressed the need to “put out the fire” in the region, expressing hope that the recently reached cease-fire would be fully implemented and evolve into a durable peace.

He referred to the 14-day cease-fire between the United States and Iran reached earlier this month and efforts led by Pakistan to revive stalled talks between Washington and Tehran.

Fidan warned that the world is entering an era defined by overlapping crises and uncertainty, where multiple threats reinforce one another.

He said the ongoing war and its regional spillover effects have caused serious damage to the international system, underlining that the latest escalation has once again demonstrated that war produces no winners.

Praising diplomatic efforts that helped secure the temporary cease-fire, particularly those led by Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Fidan said the root causes of the conflict must not be ignored.

He described Israel’s expansionist policies as a direct threat to global stability, urging those seeking lasting peace to take action to halt further escalation.

Fidan noted that the international community has shown rare unity in efforts to de-escalate tensions, calling for this momentum to be used to strengthen dialogue and diplomacy.

He emphasized that diplomacy must remain central to resolving conflicts, describing it as the key tool to prevent further escalation, rebuild trust and preserve common ground for the future.

Fidan outlined two main pillars for shaping a more stable future. The first is reforming global governance to make international institutions more inclusive, transparent and accountable, warning that current structures are increasingly ineffective and risk deepening crises.

He also stressed the need for fairer distribution of global prosperity and cautioned against the misuse of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence as tools of dominance.

The second pillar, he said, involves taking strategic steps to ensure lasting regional peace and stability. He pointed to ongoing conflicts, including the Russia-Ukraine war, Israel’s expanding military actions from Gaza to Syria, Lebanon and Iran, and instability in the Horn of Africa and Sudan, as evidence of rising interconnected crises.

Fidan highlighted Türkiye’s role as a key diplomatic actor capable of engaging with all sides, emphasizing Ankara’s commitment to mediation and regional stability.

He added that a sustainable regional order requires respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, recognition of diversity as a source of strength, stronger regional security cooperation, an end to the use of non-state actors and progress toward a two-state solution in Palestine.

On the sidelines of the forum, Fidan also held separate meetings with Austrian Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, according to the Foreign Ministry.

The Antalya Diplomacy Forum, held under the auspices of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, brings together world leaders and senior officials from April 17 to 19 in southern Türkiye, focusing this year on the theme “Mapping Tomorrow, Managing Uncertainties.”

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