Politics
Türkiye grants visa-free travel to Syrian diplomatic passport holders
Türkiye has granted visa exemptions to Syrian citizens holding diplomatic passports for official assignments in the country, as well as for tourist travel and transit crossings, according to a presidential decision published in the Official Gazette on Friday.
The decision, signed by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, allows Syrian diplomatic passport holders to travel to Türkiye without a visa for tourist purposes for up to 90 days within any 180-day period. The exemption also covers transit passages through Türkiye.
Syrian citizens holding diplomatic passports who are assigned to official duties in Türkiye will likewise be exempt from visa requirements under the new arrangement.
The decision, numbered 6458, was issued under Article 18 of Türkiye’s Law on Foreigners and International Protection.
The measure establishes a specific visa regime for Syrian diplomatic passport holders, distinguishing their travel requirements from those applicable to holders of ordinary Syrian passports.
The new arrangement covers three categories of travel: assignments to Türkiye for official duties, tourist visits and transit travel. For tourism, the 90-day limit applies cumulatively within each 180-day period.
The decision comes as Türkiye and Syria continue to expand official contacts and diplomatic engagement following a period of major political change in Syria.
The visa exemption is expected to facilitate travel by Syrian diplomatic officials and other eligible diplomatic passport holders between the two countries, while also simplifying transit and short-term visits.
Türkiye summoned Ukraine’s ambassador on Saturday after two Turkish-operated commercial vessels were damaged in separate drone attacks in the Black Sea near the Russian port of Tuapse, raising fresh concerns in Ankara about the safety of civilian shipping in the region.
Ukrainian Ambassador Naryman Dzhelialov was called to the Turkish Foreign Ministry in Ankara following attacks on the Lider Bordo Mavi and Lider Kocatepe, according to Turkish Foreign Ministry sources.
The diplomatic move came after the Lider Bordo Mavi was struck Aug. 26 while sailing near Tuapse. The vessel was carrying fresh produce and caught fire after being hit by three drones, according to Turkish shipping and regional sources. Five crew members were injured.
The ship, which flies the Cameroon flag and is operated by a Turkish company, had left the Turkish Black Sea port of Samsun around Aug. 25. It was bound for Tuapse after reportedly being unable to call at the Russian port of Novorossiysk.
A second Turkish-operated vessel, the Lider Kocatepe, was sent to the area the following day to assist the damaged ship. It was also targeted by a drone while en route, sustaining material damage before returning to Samsun, Turkish media reported.
There was no immediate public claim of responsibility from Ukraine for either attack. Russia has attributed similar recent strikes on commercial shipping to Ukrainian forces.
The incidents have added to mounting concerns over the risks facing commercial vessels operating in the Black Sea, where civilian ships have increasingly been caught up in the fighting between Russia and Ukraine.
Türkiye warns over civilian shipping
During Saturday’s meeting, Turkish officials conveyed Ankara’s concerns over the attacks and stressed the need to protect lives, property, navigation and the marine environment, according to Foreign Ministry sources.
Türkiye has repeatedly warned that the war must not further threaten civilian maritime traffic or disrupt commercial navigation in the Black Sea. Ankara has also maintained diplomatic contacts with both Kyiv and Moscow after incidents involving ships connected to Türkiye.
The latest attacks come as Türkiye seeks greater protections for civilian vessels and commercial infrastructure in the Black Sea. Turkish officials have recently pushed for a mutual halt to attacks on civilian ships, commercial ports and energy facilities.
The issue carries particular importance for Türkiye, a Black Sea coastal state whose shipping industry has continued to operate routes linking Turkish ports with Russia and other regional markets despite the war.
Growing risks at sea
The Black Sea has become increasingly dangerous for commercial shipping since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Ports, energy facilities and maritime infrastructure have been repeatedly targeted, while commercial vessels have faced growing risks from missiles, drones and naval activity.
Ukrainian officials have said attacks on vessels and infrastructure connected to Russia are aimed at disrupting Moscow’s wartime logistics and revenue rather than deliberately targeting civilians. They have also acknowledged the dangers faced by seafarers and urged shipowners to take the security situation into account when operating in the region.
The recent attacks involving Turkish-operated ships have nevertheless increased pressure on Ankara to safeguard its citizens, commercial interests and maritime trade.
Türkiye has sought to balance its relations with both Russia and Ukraine while positioning itself as a mediator in efforts to reduce the impact of the war on civilian activity. Ankara played a central role in the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which helped facilitate the export of Ukrainian agricultural products through the region.
As of Saturday, the condition of the five injured crew members from the Lider Bordo Mavi was being monitored. The full extent of the damage to both vessels was still being assessed.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan held separate phone calls Saturday with Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, as Ankara continued diplomatic consultations with key Middle Eastern partners.
Fidan discussed regional and bilateral issues with both officials, according to Turkish diplomatic sources. The sources did not provide further details about the conversations.
The calls come as Türkiye maintains intensive diplomatic engagement with Qatar and Egypt over a range of regional issues, including the situation in Gaza, developments in Syria and tensions affecting maritime security and energy routes.
Regional diplomacy
Türkiye, Qatar and Egypt have emerged as important diplomatic players in efforts to address conflicts and tensions across the Middle East.
Qatar has played a prominent mediation role in Gaza-related negotiations and other regional disputes, while Egypt’s geographic position and longstanding influence in Arab affairs have made Cairo a key player in efforts involving Gaza and broader regional stability.
Ankara has maintained close consultations with both capitals as it seeks to coordinate positions on regional crises and strengthen bilateral ties.
Fidan has held several rounds of discussions with his Qatari and Egyptian counterparts in recent weeks. His latest conversations with Sheikh Mohammed and Abdelatty underscore the continued importance Ankara places on maintaining direct communication with its regional partners.
Türkiye-Qatar ties
Türkiye and Qatar have developed a strategic partnership that covers political, economic and defense cooperation.
The two countries have maintained close relations through frequent high-level contacts, joint initiatives and expanding trade and investment ties. Qatar has also been an important partner for Türkiye in regional diplomacy, particularly on issues involving Gaza and wider Middle Eastern security.
Fidan and Sheikh Mohammed have held regular discussions on regional developments, including tensions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz and efforts to prevent further escalation in the region.
Sheikh Mohammed, who serves as both Qatar’s prime minister and foreign minister, has been at the center of Doha’s diplomatic efforts and has maintained contacts with regional and international officials as Qatar pursues its mediation role.
Türkiye-Egypt relations
Türkiye’s relationship with Egypt has also strengthened significantly after years of strained ties.
Ankara and Cairo have expanded political and economic cooperation through high-level visits and regular diplomatic consultations. The two countries have also sought to increase bilateral trade and investment while expanding cooperation in areas including defense and energy.
Fidan and Abdelatty have frequently discussed Gaza, Syria, Libya and Sudan, among other regional issues.
Fidan visited Egypt earlier this month for the second meeting of the Türkiye-Egypt Joint Planning Group, where the two sides reviewed bilateral relations and regional developments. The meeting also focused on strengthening economic cooperation and coordinating positions on several regional crises.
The two countries have expressed support for Libya’s unity and territorial integrity and for stability in Syria, while calling for stronger efforts to address the humanitarian and political situation in Gaza.
The latest calls are part of Fidan’s broader effort to maintain frequent contact with regional counterparts.
Since becoming foreign minister in June 2023 after serving as head of Türkiye’s National Intelligence Organization, Fidan has placed a strong emphasis on direct diplomatic engagement and coordination with regional and international partners.
Türkiye should turn its geopolitical advantages into technological and production capacity that is difficult to replace as artificial intelligence, semiconductors and critical minerals increasingly reshape global alliances, a report by the country’s National Intelligence Academy said Friday.
The report, titled “Alliances, Strategic Competition and Türkiye in the Technopolitical Order,” examined how technological transformation is changing international competition, alliances and the global distribution of power.
It said artificial intelligence, semiconductors, critical minerals and energy infrastructure have moved beyond economic competition to become central elements of national security, industrial policy and strategic autonomy.
Talha Köse, head of the National Intelligence Academy, noted Türkiye’s key challenge was to convert its geopolitical position into technological and manufacturing strength and secure an indispensable role in critical value chains.
The report described the emerging international landscape as “controlled techno-bloc formation,” in which economic ties continue while strategic dependencies are increasingly reorganized around trusted partners.
It said the United States, China and the European Union were responding to technological competition through different models. Washington has focused on building technology and security networks, Beijing relies on its manufacturing scale and industrial depth, while the EU is seeking to combine regulatory influence with industrial policy.
For Türkiye, the report highlighted NATO membership, economic integration with Europe, industrial infrastructure and ties across multiple regions as strategic advantages.
It recommended a model combining “selective integration” with domestic capacity building rather than relying exclusively on a single geopolitical bloc or pursuing broad balancing.
The report said Türkiye should strengthen AI applications in defense, finance, logistics and industry while specializing in selected segments of semiconductor value chains.
It also called for a sector-based critical technology and supply-chain inventory and greater coordination between technology diplomacy, defense requirements, energy planning, trade and investment policies.
Türkiye’s long-term strategic weight, it said, will depend on its ability to transform geopolitical influence into lasting technological and manufacturing capabilities.
Türkiye said Friday that Greece’s newly announced spatial planning framework covering parts of the Aegean Sea would have no legal effect on Ankara, reiterating its position on longstanding disputes between the two neighbors.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Öncü Keçeli said Greece’s Special Spatial Framework for Industry and Supply Chains, announced Friday, would not create any legal consequences for Türkiye regarding the interconnected disputes in the Aegean.
“The Special Spatial Framework for Industry and Supply Chains announced by Greece today (Aug. 28), which also covers the Aegean Sea, will have no legal consequences for our country in the context of the interconnected Aegean disputes between the two countries, including geographical formations whose sovereignty was not transferred to Greece by international treaties,” Keçeli said.
He reiterated Ankara’s call for Athens to pursue an approach consistent with the Athens Declaration on Friendly Relations and Good-Neighborliness, signed by the two countries on Dec. 7, 2023.
Keçeli also stressed Türkiye’s readiness to cooperate with Greece as one of the two coastal states of the Aegean Sea.
“We once again emphasize that, as Türkiye, we maintain our position that an approach consistent with the Athens Declaration on Friendly Relations and Good-Neighborliness should be adopted, and that as one of the two coastal states of the Aegean Sea, we are always ready to cooperate with Greece,” he said.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Friday urged Muslim nations to set aside their differences and unite, saying they should not rely on outside powers to safeguard regional peace and security in the face of Israel’s genocidal policies and expansionist goals.
“As Muslims, we will get nowhere by placing our hopes in others. We must build peace and security in our region together. There is strength in unity,” Erdoğan said during a Mawlid al-Nabi Week event at Istanbul’s Haliç Congress Center.
He noted that Muslims must be strong, defend their own rights and interests together, and work together to build peace and security in the region.
Erdoğan strongly criticized the Israeli government led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for seeking to spread instability across the Middle East through its genocidal actions in Gaza, the occupied West Bank and Lebanon.
“Israel’s current government, addicted to war, is trying every possible way to drag our entire region into instability,” he said.
He said Israel’s policies threatened not only its neighbors but also those advocating regional peace and humanitarian values.
Erdoğan stressed that Türkiye’s opposition to Israel’s expansionist policies was not driven solely by its own national interests but by concern for people throughout the region, regardless of their religion or ethnic background.
He pointed to the humanitarian situation in Gaza, where Palestinians continue to struggle with shortages of basic necessities, while also highlighting the displacement and casualties caused by Israeli attacks in Lebanon.
The Turkish president warned that a fragmented response would leave the region more vulnerable and argued that Muslim countries must strengthen solidarity and cooperation in confronting common challenges.
Drawing parallels with atrocities committed under Adolf Hitler and Cambodia’s Khmer Rouge leader Pol Pot, Erdoğan said history had demonstrated the consequences of failing to act against grave violations.
“Unfortunately, civilians had to pay the price for the silence toward Hitler, Pol Pot and other ruthless tyrants in recent history,” he said.
Erdoğan also criticized international institutions and the wider global community for failing to demonstrate sufficient resolve to halt Israel’s crimes, saying the lack of an effective response was allowing violations to continue in Gaza, the occupied West Bank and Lebanon.
He reiterated that Muslim countries needed to overcome their differences, strengthen cooperation and act collectively to protect their rights and contribute to regional stability.
Türkiye called for stronger international efforts to halt Israeli attacks, ensure the implementation of the Gaza cease-fire and protect Palestinian rights as Deputy Foreign Minister Musa Kulaklıkaya chaired an extraordinary meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Kulaklıkaya chaired the OIC’s 23rd Extraordinary Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers on Thursday, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said. The meeting focused on the Palestinian issue and the election of a new OIC secretary-general.
In his address, Kulaklıkaya highlighted the OIC’s role amid regional and global challenges and discussed ways to strengthen the organization’s contribution to regional peace, stability and prosperity.
He stressed the need to halt attacks in Gaza, fully implement the cease-fire and ensure the uninterrupted, unhindered and sustainable delivery of humanitarian assistance.
Kulaklıkaya also said securing the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people and implementing a two-state solution based on international law were essential to achieving lasting peace.
He warned that Israeli violations against Palestinians and practices that Türkiye considers contrary to international law should not be allowed to become a “new status quo,” calling for stronger international efforts to ensure accountability.
The deputy minister also expressed concern over the displacement of Palestinian families and rising settler violence in the occupied West Bank. He said provocations targeting Al-Aqsa Mosque and other holy sites in Jerusalem risked fueling regional tensions and reaffirmed Türkiye’s support for preserving their historical status quo.
He also pointed to risks posed to regional stability by Israeli military actions targeting Lebanon, Syria and other countries in the region.
On the sidelines of the meeting, Kulaklıkaya held talks with Palestinian Foreign Minister Varsen Aghabekian, Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed bin Abdulkarim El Khereiji, Maldives Foreign Minister Abdulla Khaleel and Bangladesh State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humayun Kabir, discussing bilateral ties and regional issues.
Kulaklıkaya also met newly elected OIC Secretary-General Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, Indonesian Deputy Foreign Minister Anis Matta, Senegalese Foreign Minister Cheikh Niang and Gambian Foreign Minister Sering Modou Njie.
During talks with the Palestinian foreign minister, Kulaklıkaya reaffirmed Türkiye’s support for the Palestinian cause and stressed the importance of maintaining diplomatic pressure on the Israeli government to fulfill its commitments and move to the second phase of the Gaza peace plan.
Moreover, as the Palestinian Foreign Ministry stated, Aghabekian discussed developments in Gaza and the West Bank, efforts to prevent further Israeli escalation and ways to strengthen diplomatic support for Palestinians.
She further held separate meetings with officials from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Senegal, Indonesia and Somalia, calling for intensified efforts to secure humanitarian aid, support the Palestinian government and address Israeli settlement activity.
Organisation of Islamic Cooperation
The OIC was established at a summit held in Rabat, Morocco, on Sept. 25, 1969, in response to the burning of Al-Aqsa Mosque in Israeli-occupied East Jerusalem.
Under the OIC Charter, the organization’s headquarters is designated as Jerusalem, although its General Secretariat has operated from Jeddah since its establishment. Türkiye was among the OIC’s 25 founding members. Its Permanent Mission to the OIC began operating in Jeddah on July 24, 2015.
With 57 member states, the OIC is the world’s second-largest intergovernmental organization after the United Nations and remains the only official body representing the Muslim world.
Russia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Thailand, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and the Central African Republic hold observer status in the organization.
Türkiye hosts the second-highest number of OIC-affiliated institutions among member states, after Saudi Arabia.
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