First Meeting of the Balkan Peace Platform (2025)

Balkan Peace Platform is an informal consultation platform established under Türkiye’s leadership with the aim of fostering mutual trust dialogue and lasting cooperation among Balkan countries. The platform has been designed to complement existing regional mechanisms. Its first meeting was held at the level of Foreign Ministers on 26 July 2025 in Istanbul.

_{Balkan Barış Platformu Dışişleri Bakanları Toplantısı, 26 Temmuz 2025 - (Anadolu Ajansı)}

The purpose of the meeting was defined as developing common approaches to establish political stability and economic prosperity in the Balkans jointly addressing regional crises and strengthening connectivity. Discussions covered topics such as energy security transportation communication defense industry education and relations with the European Union. The decision to hold the meeting was taken by Türkiye President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and supported by the leaders of the regional countries.

Representatives from six Balkan countries attended the first meeting of the Balkan Peace Platform in Istanbul. Bosnia and Herzegovina Montenegro Kosovo North Macedonia and Serbia participated at the level of Foreign Ministers. Albania was represented at the level of Deputy Foreign Minister.

_{Balkan Barış Platformu Dışişleri Bakanları Toplantısı, 26 Temmuz 2025 - (Anadolu Ajansı)}

Türkiye hosted the meeting through Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. The political direction of the platform was guided by Türkiye President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. It was emphasized that the meeting was structured as a complementary framework without replacing existing regional mechanisms.

The meeting agenda included multidimensional issues aimed at ensuring regional stability. Participants assessed political developments in the region and exchanged views on energy security transportation infrastructure communication systems and enhancing connectivity.

Relations with the European Union were among the key agenda items. Participating countries discussed mutual experience sharing and coordinated implementation of their EU accession processes. Topics such as the Customs Union visa policies and the European Union’s enlargement strategy were also debated.

_{Balkan Barış Platformu Dışişleri Bakanları Toplantısı, 26 Temmuz 2025 - (Anadolu Ajansı)}

The need for programs to strengthen mutual understanding in education and youth affairs was highlighted. Opportunities for mobilizing young people to build direct contact through education and observation were assessed. Additionally the development of tourism regional economic interaction and cultural exchange were discussed.

Access to European Union defense projects and joint steps with candidate countries were addressed. Cooperation models for enhancing national defense industry capacities among the countries themselves were also examined.

In the context of global crises the necessity of collective rather than unilateral approaches was emphasized and consensus was reached on generating regional solutions to regional problems. It was underlined that economic and security dimensions of crises must be assessed together.

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan held a press conference following the first meeting of the Balkan Peace Platform held in Istanbul on 26 July 2025. In his remarks he evaluated the decisions taken and the topics discussed. Fidan emphasized the informal nature of the meeting stating: “We have agreed that when we make some progress in the coming period we will bring our leaders together using this format.”

_{Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan speaks at a press conference following the Balkan Peace Platform meeting held at a hotel in Istanbul, 26 July 2025 - (Anadolu Agency)}

In response to journalists’ questions about concrete decisions made during the talks Fidan recalled that six of the seven participating countries are candidate countries for European Union membership and stated: “One of our common agenda items is how we can share experiences together within the European Union accession process. What are our common positions and stances? Where do we have different understandings regarding our relations with the European Union? How can we take this further? As candidate countries how can we increase Brussels’ awareness of our region? We primarily focused on these issues.”

Fidan drew attention to the fact that the European Union has numerous policies in the region covering economic cultural political and technological areas and added: “Being a candidate country entails responsibilities. These responsibilities are becoming increasingly binding. Candidate countries can take steps to implement or not implement decisions made by the European Union based on their own preferences. What Türkiye has consistently sought from the outset is whether we can find a common ground and build a joint position based on that common ground. Therefore we reached an agreement to create a more coordinated environment in our work regarding the European Union.”

Minister Fidan stated that the Balkan Peace Platform allows detailed discussion on issues such as how candidate countries can jointly share experiences regarding the European Union’s visa and Customs Union policies what kind of changes the geopolitical environment has brought when the candidate countries’ memberships will materialize whether any economic political or security issues have been suspended until membership is achieved how these issues can be remedied if they exist how aware the European Union is of these matters and how aware the region is of the European Union’s sensitivities. “Historically geographically and culturally these countries are each other’s continuation.” He emphasized that in a community of highly interdependent countries it is important to act jointly on certain issues.

Fidan noted that the European Union is currently pursuing two projects through special funds: the Security Action for Europe SAFE and the Rearm Europe initiative and that these projects grant special rights to EU member states while making different distinctions regarding candidate countries. He said: “We have agreed to work together on matters concerning candidate countries.” He added: “At the same time beyond SAFE and Rearm Europe how can we enhance our own defense industry cooperation? Because each country around the table has a different capacity. We addressed this as an agenda item.”

Hakan Fidan stressed the importance of young people gaining deeper mutual understanding through increased education and observation and said the meeting highlighted the significance of mobilization in youth and education matters adding: “In all six of these countries Turks are the top group in terms of tourism numbers. You know Balkan tours are now extremely popular. Our citizens are traveling to the Balkans. In every capital we visit—Belgrade Priština Skopje Tirana—the number of Turkish tourists is increasing. These countries are very pleased with this. Istanbul and the rest of Türkiye are also a major attraction for these countries both in terms of tourism and business. How can we take this further? Are we observing this adequately? Are we evaluating it properly? We are actively seeking answers to these questions and we will continue doing so.”

Fidan emphasized that the participants also agreed on generating regional solutions to regional problems and stated that if the region has the capacity to resolve its own problems it is both a duty and an obligation to demonstrate that capacity.

Recalling tensions between some Balkan countries Fidan said: “Here we observed with satisfaction—without naming specific participants—that no one wishes for a hot war or conflict as in the past. There is consensus around the table that problems must be resolved through diplomacy dialogue and negotiation. I have already seen this in my bilateral meetings. Therefore the existence of such a platform will also serve the resolution of existing problem areas.” On the other hand he pointed out that focusing solely on problems causes the region to miss opportunities with negative economic and security consequences.

Fidan noted that there is awareness and mental consensus on how to set aside certain problems or continue resolving them while pursuing peaceful cooperation in economic and other areas and how to enhance connectivity. He said: “The parties expressed this around the table. I believe this is the platform’s most significant contribution toward regional peace.”

Within the framework of the Balkan Peace Platform meeting Türkiye’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan held bilateral meetings with the foreign ministers of Balkan countries in Istanbul. These meetings were arranged separately alongside the main meeting.

_{Dışişleri Bakanı Hakan Fidan, Balkan Barış Forumu kapsamında Sırbistan Dışişleri Bakanı Marko Duriç ile İstanbul’da bir arada, 26 Temmuz 2025 - (Anadolu Ajansı)}

Fidan held one-on-one contacts with Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Foreign Minister Elmedin Konaković Serbia’s Foreign Minister Marko Čurić Montenegro’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ervin Ibrahimović and North Macedonia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Timčo Mucunski.

_{Dışişleri Bakanı Hakan Fidan, Balkan Barış Forumu kapsamında Bosna-Hersek Dışişleri Bakanı Elmedin Konakoviç ile İstanbul’da bir arada, 26 Temmuz 2025 - (Anadolu Ajansı)}

In addition to bilateral relations the meetings addressed regional issues covered in the general agenda of the meeting. Emphasis was placed on regional security continuation of political dialogue mechanisms and mutual economic cooperation. It was noted that there is a general understanding among the parties to resolve current problem areas through dialogue.

Following the first meeting several decisions were made regarding the structural continuity of the Balkan Peace Platform. Participating countries agreed that the platform will meet at regular intervals and decided that future meetings will be held every six months with Istanbul as the permanent host.

A goal was also set to hold future meetings at the leader level. Accordingly it was expressed that the platform should not remain limited to foreign ministers and should be sustained through a leaders’ diplomacy format. Priority was also agreed to be given to projects that will materialize regional cooperation.

At the conclusion of the meeting the parties united in a common understanding to build a long-term multidimensional and constructive foundation for cooperation aimed at ensuring regional stability and prosperity. It was also confirmed that the goal of the Platform is to become a results-oriented and unique structure.

The Balkan Peace Platform is an informal consultative initiative established under Turkey’s leadership, aiming to enhance mutual trust, dialogue, and lasting cooperation among Balkan countries. Designed to complement existing regional mechanisms, the platform serves as a forum for open exchange and collaboration. Its inaugural meeting was held at the foreign ministerial level on July 26, 2025, in Istanbul.

_{Balkan Peace Platform Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, July 26, 2025 – (Anadolu Agency)}

The primary objective of the meeting was to develop common approaches for ensuring political stability and economic prosperity in the Balkans, to address regional crises collectively, and to enhance regional connectivity. Discussions covered key topics such as energy security, transportation, telecommunications, defense industry cooperation, education, and relations with the European Union. The decision to convene the meeting was made by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and received support from the leaders of the participating Balkan countries.

The first meeting of the Balkan Peace Platform, held in Istanbul, was attended by representatives from six Balkan countries. Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Kosovo, North Macedonia, and Serbia were represented at the level of foreign ministers. Albania participated in the meeting at the level of deputy foreign minister.

_{Balkan Peace Platform Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, July 26, 2025 – (Anadolu Agency)}

Turkey hosted the meeting through its Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, with the political direction of the Platform being guided by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. It was emphasized that the Platform was designed as a complementary mechanism, not as an alternative to existing regional frameworks.

The agenda of the meeting encompassed a wide range of topics aimed at ensuring regional stability. Participants reviewed the current political developments in the Balkans and exchanged views on key issues such as energy security, transportation infrastructure, telecommunications systems, and enhancing regional connectivity.

Relations with the European Union were also among the central items discussed. The participating countries addressed the sharing of experiences regarding their EU accession processes and emphasized the importance of coordinating these efforts. Topics such as the Customs Union, visa policies, and the EU’s enlargement strategies were deliberated in detail.

_{Balkan Peace Platform Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, July 26, 2025 – (Anadolu Agency)}

The meeting emphasized the need for programs that would strengthen mutual recognition in the fields of education and youth. Opportunities for youth mobility—particularly through educational exchanges and observation programs—were explored as a means to foster direct engagement among young people in the region. Additionally, discussions addressed the development of the tourism sector, enhancement of regional economic interaction, and promotion of cultural exchange.

Participants discussed ways to facilitate access to EU defense projects and to take joint steps with EU candidate countries in the defense industry field. Various cooperation models were also evaluated to help countries in the region build and expand their own defense industrial capacities.

In the context of global crises, the necessity of pursuing joint rather than individual approaches was raised. There was a consensus on the importance of generating regional solutions to regional problems. Within this framework, participants stressed that crises should be evaluated with attention to both their economic and security dimensions.

Following the Balkan Peace Platform meeting on July 26, 2025, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan held a press briefing in Istanbul. In his remarks, he summarized the key themes and decisions discussed during the meeting. Fidan underscored the informal nature of the gathering and stated: “We have agreed that once some progress has been made in the coming period, we will bring our leaders together within this format.”

_{Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan speaks at a press conference following the Balkan Peace Platform meeting held at a hotel in Istanbul, July 26, 2025 – (Anadolu Agency)}

In response to questions from the press regarding concrete decisions taken during the meeting, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan reminded that six of the seven participating countries are candidate members of the European Union (EU). He stated: “One of our shared agenda items was how we could exchange experiences throughout the EU accession process. What could be our common stances and positions? What are the differences in our understandings in relations with the EU? How can we take this forward? Specifically, how can we, as candidate countries, raise awareness in Brussels regarding our region? These were the main subjects we focused on.”

Fidan pointed out that the EU has significant policies regarding the region in various fields, including economy, culture, politics, and technology, adding: “Being a candidate country comes with responsibilities that can become increasingly binding. Candidate countries can choose whether to implement EU decisions. Now, there is an idea, long considered by Turkey, of finding a common ground and forming a joint position on these matters. Therefore, we reached a consensus on fostering a more coordinated environment in our work regarding the EU.”

Fidan highlighted that the Balkan Peace Platform provides an opportunity to thoroughly discuss topics such as experience-sharing on the EU’s visa and Customs Union policies, how the changing geopolitical environment affects these countries, the timing of their EU membership, and the challenges they face until accession. He added that the awareness of both the EU and the region regarding each other's sensitivities was also debated. He emphasized: “Historically, geographically, and culturally, these countries are continuations of each other. Therefore, it is crucial for this community of highly interdependent nations to act together on certain issues.”

Fidan noted that the EU currently has two major defense projects—the Strategic Autonomy Fund for Europe (SAFE) and the Rearm Europe initiative—and that special rights are granted to EU members in these projects, while different definitions apply to candidate countries. He stated: “We decided to work together on matters related to candidate countries. Additionally, outside of SAFE and Rearm Europe, we discussed how we can enhance our own defense industry cooperation, considering that each country around the table has different capacities. This was included as a main agenda item.”

He also underlined the importance of enabling young people to become more familiar with each other’s countries through education and observation programs. “We emphasized the significance of youth mobility in terms of education and cultural exchange,” he said, and added: “In all six of these countries, Turkish tourists rank first in visitor numbers. Balkan tours have become extremely popular. Our citizens travel to the Balkans in increasing numbers, visiting capitals like Belgrade, Pristina, Skopje, and Tirana. These countries are very pleased with this. Istanbul and the rest of Turkey are also significant attraction points for these countries, both for tourism and business. We discussed how to further this dynamic. Are we observing and evaluating this adequately? We are in pursuit of enhancing this, and we will continue to do so.”

Fidan emphasized that they also agreed on “producing regional solutions to regional problems,” adding that if the capacity exists to solve certain issues internally, it is a duty and responsibility to act accordingly. Referring to existing tensions among some Balkan countries, Fidan stated: “We were pleased to observe that none of the participants, whom I won’t name, want to return to the days of active conflict or war. There is a consensus around the table on resolving issues through diplomacy and dialogue. I have also observed this during my bilateral meetings. Therefore, having such a platform will contribute to resolving existing problem areas.”

He also pointed out that due to the region's focus on problems, opportunities were being missed, which has adverse economic and security repercussions. Fidan noted that there was awareness and a shared understanding that certain issues could be “put in brackets” or addressed through peaceful means while exploring cooperation in economic and other fields and enhancing connectivity. He concluded:

“The parties expressed this clearly during the meeting. I believe this is the most significant outcome of the Platform in terms of sustaining regional peace.”

Within the framework of the Balkan Peace Platform meeting, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan held bilateral talks with the foreign ministers of Balkan countries in Istanbul. These meetings were conducted separately on the sidelines of the main session.

_{Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan meets with Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Đurić in Istanbul during the Balkan Peace Forum, July 26, 2025 – (Anadolu Agency)}

Fidan held one-on-one meetings with Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Foreign Minister Elmedin Konaković, Serbia’s Foreign Minister Marko Ćurić, Montenegro’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ervin Ibrahimović, and North Macedonia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Timço Mucunski.

_{Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan meets with Bosnia and Herzegovina's Foreign Minister Elmedin Konaković in Istanbul during the Balkan Peace Forum, July 26, 2025 – (Anadolu Agency)}

During the meetings, alongside bilateral relations, regional issues forming the core agenda of the Platform were addressed. The discussions particularly focused on regional security, the continuation of political dialogue mechanisms, and enhancing mutual economic cooperation. It was noted that there is a general understanding among the participants to resolve existing problem areas through dialogue.

Following the first meeting, several decisions were made regarding the structural continuity of the Balkan Peace Platform. The participating countries agreed to hold regular meetings, deciding that new sessions would be convened every six months, with Istanbul serving as the permanent venue.

A goal was also set to elevate future meetings to the level of heads of state and government. In this context, a shared intention was expressed to ensure that the Platform does not remain limited to foreign ministers but also evolves into a leadership diplomacy format. Furthermore, it was decided to prioritize projects that would concretely enhance regional cooperation.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the parties reached a consensus on building a long-term, multidimensional, and constructive cooperation framework aimed at ensuring regional stability and prosperity. Additionally, the goal of shaping the Platform into a result-oriented and unique structure was reaffirmed.