Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has urged the international community to increase pressure on Israel to prevent violations of the Gaza peace plan, saying efforts to move to the next phase should not lose momentum.
“The efforts that the parties will make on this issue are important. In particular, putting pressure on Israel’s reluctance and preventing its violations are extremely important for moving to the second phase in Gaza,” Fidan said on April 29 at a joint press conference with Austrian Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger.
“We are warning both the international community, the mediators and all actors on the Board of Peace to take the necessary measures,” he added.
Fidan said the situation in Gaza and the West Bank, which he described as an extension of Israeli expansionism in the region, did not serve the interests of either the Middle East or Europe.
He warned that continued instability could create further security risks, pressure on energy security and new irregular migration flows. He also said around 1 million people had been displaced in Lebanon due to Israeli actions, warning that any further expansion could trigger additional migration.
“Israel must be placed under more qualified international pressure on this issue,” Fidan said.
The Turkish minister was in Vienna on an official visit on April 29-30, according to the Turkish Foreign Ministry.
The ministry said he met Meinl-Reisinger and was also received by Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker.
Fidan said talks with the Austrian side covered trade, investment, irregular migration, counterterrorism and consular issues.
He described cooperation with Austria on irregular migration as “good,” adding that Türkiye had gained significant experience in this field.
The minister said the situation of Syrian migrants was closely linked to stabilization efforts in Syria, adding that governance policies there were important for both migration management and regional stability.
Fidan also praised the contribution of the Turkish community to Austria’s political, social, economic and cultural life.
On regional tensions, Fidan said Türkiye was working to help talks between Iran and the United States reach a swift conclusion.
He said the crisis around the Strait of Hormuz should end and disruptions there should be resolved so that conditions could return to normal.
Fidan warned that the crisis had created serious problems for regional countries, particularly over energy prices, energy supply and the movement of food and other goods.
The situation, he said, showed the importance of alternative connectivity routes.
Fidan said Türkiye hoped talks launched in Islamabad would succeed, adding that Ankara remained in contact with all parties and would continue efforts to support a solution.
On the European Union, Fidan said Türkiye’s position on membership had not changed, while recent developments had exposed structural problems in the accession process.
He said work was continuing on updating the Customs Union and securing visa liberalization.
Fidan also said including Türkiye in initiatives such as “Made in EU” was important for strengthening Europe’s supply chains, adding that Ankara expected Austria’s support on these issues.
The two sides also discussed connectivity projects linking Europe and Asia, including the Middle Corridor and the Three Seas Initiative. Fidan attended the 11th summit of the Three Seas Initiative in Dubrovnik on April 28 on behalf of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the Foreign Ministry said.
The Russia-Ukraine war was also on the agenda.
Fidan said Türkiye had hosted negotiations between Russia and Ukraine in various formats and at different levels since 2022, adding that Ankara supported ongoing U.S.-led mediation efforts.
He said Türkiye would continue to contribute to efforts aimed at ending the war.
