Hakan Fidan, Turkey's Foreign Minister, urged South Korea and Turkey to actively collaborate to restore the collapsing international cooperation framework and stabilize the fragmented global order.
In a keynote address at the 143rd International Policy Forum at Korea University in Seoul on June 4, Fidan diagnosed that the outdated international order centered around major powers has shown its limitations. He emphasized that capable middle powers like South Korea and Turkey, with diverse backgrounds, must step forward to lead new diplomatic agreements to untangle the complex knots of current global issues.
Fidan pointed out the structural contradictions facing the international community today. Over the past 80 years, numerous international organizations and treaties have been established, yet in the face of significant crises, the world remains deeply divided and has lost a sense of common purpose.
He cautioned against narrowly interpreting the current situation as merely a security crisis. Relying on outdated tactics of military deployment or deterrence cannot resolve fundamental issues; rather, the essence of the crisis lies in the collapse of the international cooperation system itself.
A recent example is the armed conflicts spreading in the Gulf region, centered around Iran, which pose significant threats to global economic and strategic stability. Turkey is actively engaging in diplomatic channels with countries like Pakistan and Indonesia to mediate between the United States and Iran to prevent further escalation.
The ongoing war in Ukraine, now in its fifth year, starkly illustrates the ineffectiveness of the international community. Fidan criticized recent medium-range missile strikes near the borders of the European Union and NATO as an unacceptable escalation, warning of the risk of the conflict spreading throughout Europe.
Ukrainian forces continue to target Russian ground communications, disrupting enemy logistics. As the war shows no signs of ending, European leaders face intense pressure to expedite Ukraine's accession to the European Union as a foundation for future peace agreements.
The situation in Gaza starkly reveals the failures of the collapsed international order. The Foreign Minister characterized the international community's inability to prevent the ongoing tragedy as a severe legitimacy crisis. He explained that a system that cannot uphold universal human principles is destined to fail, and even countries that have benefited from the existing order now confront crises at their own doorsteps.
In a multipolar world, no single country can bear the burden of global crises alone. Fidan analyzed that the roles of middle powers like South Korea and Turkey have become increasingly important in this dynamic. When two countries with different social and geographical backgrounds transcend the narrow interests of a single power bloc, they can forge solid agreements.
To achieve tangible diplomatic outcomes, Fidan argued that regions must take the initiative to reform outdated systems. He also criticized the veto power system of the United Nations Security Council as an outdated monopoly of power by major countries, reiterating that the world is larger than just five nations. Hakan Fidan, who served as the head of Turkey's National Intelligence Organization for 13 years, was appointed Foreign Minister in 2023. In closing, he noted that when the concept of collective security was tested in the Korean Peninsula in the past, South Korea and Turkey stood shoulder to shoulder militarily.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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