ANTALYA, Türkiye, April 12. Speaking at the 4th Antalya Diplomacy Forum, Mehmet Kemal Bozay, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye, underscored the importance of regional solidarity and future-oriented cooperation to ensure lasting prosperity in the Balkans, Trend reports.
Bozay opened his remarks by thanking fellow ministers for their support during the 2023 earthquake in Türkiye, recalling the immediate assistance received from neighbors such as North Macedonia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro. “Solidarity is one of the key words in the region,” he said, noting that the swift response from Balkan countries left a lasting impression on the Turkish people.
Addressing the topic of regional ownership, Bozay emphasized the need to focus on the future rather than dwelling on historical grievances. “Living in the past is like putting your hand into Pandora’s box — you don’t know what issue will come out,” he said. He cautioned that historical inertia can contribute to challenges such as depopulation, as younger generations may leave the region in search of better opportunities.
Highlighting the potential of the Balkans, Bozay called for coordinated efforts to retain talent and create opportunities for youth. “This is a very rich region. The young generation is clever, hardworking, and they should be given reasons to stay,” he said.
On European integration, Bozay reiterated that the European Union cannot fully represent the continent without including all candidate countries, including Türkiye. He advocated for multilateralism and deeper cooperation, warning against becoming stuck in bilateral disputes. “We should move toward collective arrangements, joint projects, and programs that support political stability and economic welfare in the region,” he stated.
He concluded by urging regional leaders to focus on “twin transformation” – green transition and digitalization – as a basis for cooperation and long-term prosperity. “Let’s be proud of our history, but work together on future-oriented projects that meet the needs of today’s world,” Bozay said.