Hakan Fidan Speaks in New York: The Path for the New Century in Turkey-US Relations Is Drawn

As the 100th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Turkey and the United States approaches, the past and future of the roughly century-long partnership between the two countries were examined in a comprehensive program held in New York.

During the event held during the United Nations General Assembly week, diplomacy, defense, trade, energy, regional security, and the future of strategic cooperation between the two countries were discussed.

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Presidential Communication Chief Prof. Dr. Burhanettin Duran, Presidential Advisor Akif Çağatay Kılıç, along with Turkish and American diplomats, academics, and experts, were followed on site by the New York correspondent of the U.S. Post, Özlem Özgüt Yörekli.

In the First Segment, Burhanettin Duran delivered a 'Second Century' Message

In the program's first segment, Presidential Communication Chief Prof. Burhanettin Duran emphasized that the 100th anniversary of Turkey‑U.S. relations in 2027 would not only be a historical milestone but also an opportunity to create a new roadmap for the future.

Duran highlighted the capacity of the two countries to sustain dialogue despite serious disagreements in the past. Stating that the future of Turkey‑U.S. relations should not be shaped solely through crisis management, he said that areas such as defense industry, energy, trade, investment, advanced technology, artificial intelligence, supply chains, and critical minerals should be among the key cooperation themes of the second century.

Duran also emphasized the Turkish community in the United States. Stating that the Turkish‑American community forms an important bridge between the two countries, Duran said that universities, the business world, students, scientists, media and think tanks play an important role in the social foundation of relations.

It was announced in the program that panels, photo exhibitions, digital and traveling exhibitions, documentaries, academic symposia and various publications are planned as part of the 100th anniversary of Turkey‑US diplomatic relations.

Critical Messages from Hakan Fidan

In the second part of the program, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan took the podium. While approaching the second century of diplomatic relations between Turkey and the United States, Fidan said that the current momentum must be turned into a lasting and concrete cooperation, emphasizing that the partnership has retained its strategic importance despite past crises and disagreements between the two countries.

Fidan said that three areas—economy, defense, and energy—stand out in the new era. Stating that the trade volume between the two countries has reached about 40 billion dollars, he reminded of the 100 billion‑dollar trade goal. Expressing that the problems limiting cooperation in defense must be solved, Fidan noted that long‑term agreements in the energy sector will also play an important role in the future of Turkey‑US relations.

In his speech, Fidan also devoted considerable space to regional developments, emphasizing the importance of dialogue between Turkey and the United States on topics such as the Middle East, Syria, Iraq, Gaza, the Caucasus, and the Russia‑Ukraine war.

Highlighting the 'regional ownership' approach that foresees regional countries taking greater responsibility for their own security and stability, Fidan said that Turkey‑US cooperation could contribute not only to the two countries but also to regional and global peace and stability.

Fidan Answered Questions About Turkey‑US Relations

After Fidan’s speech, the session was moderated by Prof. Dr. Kılıç Buğra Kanat, a member of the Presidential Security and Foreign Policy Council.

Responding to Kanat’s questions, Fidan emphasized that as Turkey‑US relations enter their second century, the existing cooperation potential must be used more effectively and the momentum gained should be turned into tangible results.

Highlighting economy, defense, and energy as the three key areas of cooperation for the new era, Fidan offered assessments on critical issues on the two countries’ agendas, including regional security, problems in the defense industry, and the Russia‑Ukraine war.

The $100 Billion Trade Target Returns to the Forefront

Fidan noted that the trade volume between Turkey and the United States has reached about 40 billion dollars, while also reminding of the previously set trade target of 100 billion dollars between the two countries.

Addressing restrictions in the defense sector, Fidan said that barriers limiting cooperation among allied countries must be removed. He identified energy as the third major area where long‑term, tangible results can be achieved between the two countries.

Fidan Emphasizes 'Regional Ownership'

In answering questions from moderator Prof. Dr. Kılıç Buğra Kanat, one of the key points Fidan emphasized was the 'regional ownership' approach.

Fidan argued that interventions from outside the region have often been insufficient in solving problems in the past, stating that regional countries must take greater responsibility for security and stability. He highlighted the need to institutionalize regional cooperation.

Defense Industry and the Russia‑Ukraine War Were Also Asked

During the session, questions directed at Fidan also covered the defense industry issues between Turkey and the United States. Fidan said that both sides were continuing to work on these matters and that some steps needed to be completed for a solution.

In his assessment of the Russia‑Ukraine war, Fidan noted that the conflict has been escalating in recent years and that the risk of energy, transportation, and communications infrastructure becoming targets has grown. He said that Turkey is maintaining its approach to ending the war.

In the Third Segment, Turkish and American Names Share the Same Table

In the program's third segment, Turkey‑U.S. relations were examined this time in a large‑participation expert panel.

The panel was moderated by Dr. Kadir Üstün, Executive Director of SETA Foundation in Washington, D.C.

Participants included former U.S. Ambassador to Turkey James Jeffrey, former U.S. Ambassador to Azerbaijan Matthew Bryza, Ambassador Akif Çağatay Kılıç, Senior Advisor to the President on Foreign Policy and Security, and Ambassador Prof. Dr. Çağrı Erhan, Senior Advisor to the President and Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Security and Foreign Policy Council.

Çağrı Erhan Explained the Historical Background of the Relations

In the first part of the panel, Prof. Dr. Çağrı Erhan described the historical development of Turkish‑American relations. He pointed out that the relations are not limited to the official diplomatic period that began in 1927, and discussed contacts extending back to the Ottoman era as well as economic, diplomatic and maritime relations of the 19th century.

Erhan noted that despite various problems encountered over the course of history, the parties have found solutions at different times.

James Jeffrey: 'We Can Trust Each Other'

Then speaking, former U.S. Ambassador to Turkey James Jeffrey assessed Turkish‑U.S. relations based on his long diplomatic experience.

Jeffrey highlighted that the two countries share common interests and, although disagreements arise from time to time, the areas where Turkey and the U.S. need each other are important. He noted that Turkey's regional influence is significant for Washington and explained that coordination between the two nations becomes especially critical during crisis periods.

Akif Çağatay Kılıç: 'The Last 15 Years Have Been One of the Most Dynamic Periods'

Ambassador Akif Çağatay Kılıç focused especially on the last 15 years of Turkey–US relations.

Kılıç, noting that the two countries sometimes adopt different approaches on Syria, Iraq, the Russia–Ukraine war, and regional security issues, emphasized that the conditions in the region where Turkey is located are also constantly changing.

Kılıç stated that NATO is one of the important elements of Turkey–US relations, while explaining that there are disagreements between the two countries over threat perception and approaches to regional developments.

Matthew Bryza: Attention to Turkey's Geopolitical Position

Former U.S. Ambassador to Azerbaijan Matthew Bryza also drew attention to the importance of Turkey's geographic and strategic position from the U.S. perspective.

Bryza said that Turkey's simultaneous status as a country of the Middle East, Europe, the Balkans, and the Black Sea gives it a highly significant geopolitical position. Bryza, who argued in Washington that Turkey's strategic importance has never been adequately understood, emphasized the importance of the two countries acting together as partners in managing their problems.

Bryza also cited past collaborations between Turkey and the United States in the field of energy security, saying that links extending from Central Asia, South Caucasus, and Turkey to global markets have become a renewed important agenda item.

Message from New York to the Second Century

The common point of the messages given in the program in New York was that Turkey–U.S. relations have a broad strategic foundation despite past crises and disagreements.

In the new era ahead of the two countries, which are preparing to celebrate the 100th anniversary of their diplomatic relations in 2027, defense, energy, trade, investment, technology, artificial intelligence, and regional security topics are expected to take on greater prominence.

The program held during the United Nations General Assembly week, which was also followed on site by U.S. Post New York Representative Özlem Özgüt Yörekli, brought together Turkish and American senior figures on the same platform, turning into a comprehensive meeting where messages about the second century of Turkey–U.S. relations were delivered.