Turkish defense chief's intense diplomacy in 2022

By Sarp Ozer

ANKARA (AA) - Turkish National Defense Minister Hulusi Akar conducted intense diplomacy in 2022 as part of Türkiye's efforts for peace and security in the country, region and beyond.

Akar held 141 face-to-face meetings and 55 phone calls with his counterparts, including the defense ministers of the US, France, Italy, Spain, Russia, Ukraine, Finland and Sweden. He also visited nine countries.

Akar's defense and security diplomacy also heavily focused on the war between Ukraine and Russia. In this context, Akar met Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov and Ukrainian Infrastructure Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov.

Türkiye's efforts also led to the landmark grain deal to resume Ukraine’s Black Sea grain exports, and prevented a worldwide crisis.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres attended the signing ceremony of the deal officially known as the Initiative on the Safe Transportation of Grain and Foodstuffs from Ukrainian Ports, along with representatives from Russia and Ukraine.

A Joint Coordination Center with officials from the three countries and the UN was set up in Istanbul to oversee the shipments.

On Oct. 29, Russia announced that it would suspend its participation in the UN-brokered Black Sea grain export deal due to Ukrainian attacks on its Black Sea Fleet ships.

However, after President Erdogan's conciliation, the deal resumed as of Nov. 2.

Türkiye, internationally praised for its unique mediator role between Ukraine and Russia, has repeatedly called on Kyiv and Moscow to end the war through negotiations.

Thanks to Erdogan and Akar's diplomatic efforts, two Turkish planes, stranded in Ukraine due to the closure of airspace, also returned home.

Two A400M aircraft, which landed in Ukraine to deliver humanitarian aid and evacuate Turkish citizens, were stranded at the Borispol airport.

- Meetings, phone calls

Akar met his US counterpart Llyod James Austin in person and also held phone calls to discuss fight against terrorism and the sale of F-16 fighter jets to Türkiye.

He also met Israeli Defense Minister Benjamin Gantz in the capital Ankara to discuss bilateral and security issues. Gantz's visit to Türkiye was the first by an Israeli defense minister in over a decade.

Besides, the Turkish defense chief separately met the defense ministers of Sweden and Finland, as their NATO membership process continues.

Akar emphasized both countries should take concrete steps against the provocative actions of the PKK terrorist organization.

Separately, Akar hosted Italian Defense Minister Lorenzo Guerini and British Defense Minister Ben Wallace in Istanbul.

At the meeting, mutual views were exchanged on defense industry, military education cooperation, and latest developments in the world and the region, as well as defense and security issues between the countries.

Akar took part in the six videoconference meetings with Bulgarian Defense Minister Dragomir Zakov, Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak, Romanian Defense Minister Vasile Dincu, Georgian Defense Minister Juansher Burchuladze and Ukraine's Reznikov.

Meanwhile, the ninth Georgia-Azerbaijan-Türkiye Defense Ministers Meeting, attended by Azerbaijani Defense Minister Zakir Hasanov and Burchuladze, was held in Kayseri.

- Important meeting in Moscow

On Dec. 28, Akar and the head of Türkiye’s National Intelligence Organization (MIT) Hakan Fidan met Russia's defense chief Sergey Shoigu and Assad regime's Defense Minister Ali Mahmoud Abbas, as well as the intelligence heads of the regime and Russia in Moscow.

At the meeting in Moscow, the Turkish, Russian, and Syrian defense ministers agreed to continue tripartite meetings to ensure stability in Syria and the wider region.

* Writing and contributions by Diyar Guldogan