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President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said Türkiye continues to work to open the way to peace, citing prisoner exchanges between Russia and Ukraine and mediation efforts in Africa as results achieved across a wide geography.

Erdoğan addressed the 9th Istanbul Mediation Conference by video message. The event, hosted by Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan at the Hilton Istanbul Bomonti Hotel and Conference Center, was held under the theme "Partnerships and New Perspectives for Peace: Mediation in a Changing World."

Commitment to diplomacy

Erdoğan said Türkiye does not accept an approach to international politics built on distrust. "Even in the most intractable conflicts, we believe there is always a door for diplomacy," he said. "The issue is to show the will, courage and sincerity to keep that door open." Türkiye, he added, will continue to bring parties together for peace, to mediate for fair solutions and to take responsibility.

Key takeaways

• Erdoğan addressed the 9th Istanbul Mediation Conference by video message, hosted by Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan.
• He cited Russia-Ukraine prisoner exchanges and mediation in Africa among Türkiye's gains in pursuit of peace.
• Erdoğan said a system in which the will of more than 190 countries rests with 5 countries is neither fair nor able to restore trust.
• Türkiye will keep working to bring parties together, mediate for fair solutions and keep the door for diplomacy open.