Erdogan Outlines Multidimensional Foreign Policy and Defends Defense Pact

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced that Turkiye will pursue a multidimensional foreign policy, refusing to choose between the West and the East. In an interview with Newsweek, Erdogan stated that the global balance of power is shifting and emphasized that while Turkiye remains committed to NATO, it will simultaneously deepen partnerships with Russia, China, and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

Erdogan defended the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement signed in August by Turkiye, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan, rejecting claims that the pact targets Iran or Israel. He described the agreement as a commitment to collective self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter, though he clarified that military responses would depend on the specific request of the attacked member.

On broader geopolitical issues, Erdogan called for reforms to the UN Security Council and urged the integration of armed groups into the Syrian state. He also reiterated that Turkiye is ready to facilitate peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine once the necessary political will is demonstrated.