Multilateralism ideal response to shifting global system: Turkish foreign minister

By Faruk Zorlu

ANKARA (AA) - Multilateralism should be the MIKTA nations' response to a shifting global system marked by "global complexities and multiple crises," Türkiye’s Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Thursday.

"We are living through the transformation of the international system, marked by global complexities and multiple crises. We all believe that effective multilateralism should be our response. Not isolationism or unilateralism," Cavusoglu said, addressing the 23rd MIKTA foreign ministers meeting on the sidelines of the ongoing G-20 gathering in India’s capital New Delhi.

"I am happy that the common sense of MIKTA, a grouping of Mexico, Indonesia, South Korea, Türkiye, and Australia, represents a successful practice in that regard," he said.

Stressing the importance of roles that all MIKTA countries play in the development and humanitarian action, he said: "Based on our experience and capacity, we can build up MIKTA’s joint action."

Handing over the group's chairmanship from Türkiye to Indonesia, Cavusoglu underlined Ankara's efforts to prioritize global health, effective migration management, and food security during its term.

"These were based on the spirit and challenges of our times. We have made every effort to turn these priorities into action. We are pleased that the Istanbul grain deal has been instrumental in mitigating the global food crisis," he said.

"We issued 22 joint statements and held 77 joint activities. Forty-seven of these were by our diplomatic missions. Our collaboration extended to 25 countries and eight international organizations," he added.

Touching upon humanitarian assistance provided to Ukraine, Pakistan, and Rohingya living in Bangladesh on behalf of MIKTA in the past year under the chairmanship of Türkiye, he said: "Engagement of our respective national institutions on further thematic issues was another important step in our cooperation. We have no doubt that this positive trend will continue."

Cavusoglu also expressed gratitude for MIKTA's support in the aftermath of the Feb. 6 twin tremors in Türkiye.