Answer from Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan to the question of the Mecca Alliance: This is not an attack agreement

Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan held a joint press conference with Hungarian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Anita Orban.

Making evaluations about the security of Europe, the Russia-Ukraine war and the developments in the Black Sea, Fidan warned about increasing attacks on civilian ships.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan, who made important statements on live broadcast, said, "We should never allow the (Russia-Ukraine War) Black Sea to turn into a new conflict front."

'EUROPE'S SECURITY CANNOT BE CONSIDERED INDEPENDENT FROM Türkiye'

Stating that Turkey's opportunities and capabilities should be taken into account in discussions regarding the security of Europe, Fidan pointed out the importance of making comprehensive evaluations before permanent steps are taken in security policies and said, "Europe's security cannot be considered independently of Türkiye's security and opportunities and capabilities. Discussions must be qualified before taking permanent approaches in security policies. Otherwise, it may be too late."

DRAW ATTENTION TO THE SPREAD OF THE WAR TO THE BLACK SEA

Fidan said that Turkey has been making intense efforts to prevent conflicts from spreading to the Black Sea since the beginning of the war, and cited the meticulous implementation of the Montreux Straits Convention and the Black Sea Grain Initiative as concrete examples of this approach.

Stating that the war is currently spreading to the Black Sea, Fidan stated that the effects of the expanding conflicts on different fronts are also felt in the region.

Emphasizing that attacks against civilian ships pose a serious threat to life, property, navigation and environmental safety, Fidan said that the Black Sea should not be allowed to turn into a new conflict front.

TURKISH SHIPS AND PERSONNEL ARE ALSO AFFECTED

Stating that Russia and Ukraine's efforts to gain military superiority over each other seriously affected the safety of navigation in the Black Sea, Fidan announced that Turkey conveyed its evaluations and warnings to both sides.

Referring to the impact of the attacks on Turkish ships and personnel, Fidan said, "We see that especially ships with Turkish flags, Turkish owners and Turkish personnel are affected by this. We are doing our best to end this situation." he said.

DISRUPTIONS IN GRAIN SHIPMENTS THREATEN FOOD SAFETY

Fidan pointed out that the consequences of the attacks were not limited to ships and personnel. Stating that citizens of other countries were also affected by these attacks, Fidan said that the inability of the transported cargo to reach international markets constitutes a separate problem.

Stating that disruptions in grain shipments in particular lead to food safety problems, Fidan emphasized that this situation should be prevented and said, "While these attacks also affect citizens of other countries, it does not only affect personnel and ships. We see that food safety problems occur due to the inability of ships to reach international markets, especially the grain carried by them, and we need to prevent this situation."

"NOT AN ATTACK AGREEMENT"