Erdoğan: Türkiye not to choose between East and West, Mecca defense pact not aimed at Iran or Israel

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said Türkiye would not choose between East and West as the global balance of power shifts, emphasizing Ankara's commitment to NATO while pursuing deeper partnerships with China, Russia, and regional powers.

In an exclusive written interview with US-based Newsweek magazine published Friday, Erdoğan outlined Türkiye's approach to a changing international order, addressing the new Mecca Joint Defense Agreement with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, tensions involving Iran and Israel, the war in Ukraine, and developments in Syria.

"We do not believe it is right to impose on Türkiye a choice between the West or the East," Erdoğan said, stressing that the country's geographical position requires a multidimensional foreign policy.

He said Türkiye was strengthening its position within NATO while deepening cooperation with the Organization of Turkic States, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, where Ankara is a dialogue partner.

Erdoğan also expressed Türkiye's intention to expand trade, investment, and connectivity with China, highlighting the importance of the Trans-Caspian East-West-Middle Corridor and regional transportation projects.

"The world's center of gravity is shifting," he said, noting that emerging powers were increasingly demanding greater representation in global decision-making.

He called for reforms to the UN Security Council to make it more representative, effective, and accountable, arguing that the international system must reflect the changing global balance of power.

- Mecca defense pact not directed against Iran or Israel

Addressing the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement signed by Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan in August, Erdoğan rejected suggestions that the pact was designed to counter Iran, Israel, or any other country.

"It would not be correct to view the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement as an alliance established against Iran, Israel, or any third country," he said.

Erdoğan described the agreement as an expression of the three countries' shared responsibility to build a safer, more peaceful, and prosperous future.

He said the pact was founded on Article 51 of the UN Charter, which recognizes the right to self-defense, and stipulated that an armed attack against any of the three signatories would be considered an attack against all.

However, Erdoğan stressed that the nature of any response would depend on the attacked country's request and requirements.

Support could include intelligence, logistics, or ammunition, with more extensive military assistance possible depending on the scale of the threat, he said.

He cautioned against assuming that every potential incident in Iraq, Yemen, or elsewhere would automatically trigger a predetermined military response.

- Türkiye seeks diplomatic solution to US-Iran tensions

On the conflict involving the US, Israel, and Iran, Erdoğan emphasized Türkiye's ability to maintain direct contact with opposing sides.

"The United States is our ally within NATO. Iran is our neighbor," he said, adding that he had stressed the importance of diplomacy in his latest meeting with US President Donald Trump.

Erdoğan said Ankara was also maintaining open channels with Iranian officials and using its diplomatic relationships to reduce tensions.

He warned that instability in the Strait of Hormuz directly affected global energy supplies and global trade, underscoring the need to prevent the conflict from spreading and bring the parties back to negotiations.

On his relationship with Trump, Erdoğan said direct and open communication provided opportunities to manage differences and strengthen bilateral cooperation, particularly in defense, trade, and regional security.

He emphasized, however, that Türkiye would continue to balance its relations with neighboring countries, alliance commitments, and national interests as a sovereign state.

- Erdoğan says Türkiye-US ties not defined by Israel amid rising tensions

Asked whether he was concerned about Israel's influence within the US administration as some Israeli officials portrayed Türkiye as the "next" threat after Iran, Erdoğan emphasized Ankara's direct relationship with Washington.

"I do not define Türkiye-US relations through a third country. Our counterpart in Washington is the administration of the United States. Whenever there is an issue we need to discuss with President Trump, we speak with him directly," he said.

Erdoğan acknowledged serious disagreements with the Israeli government on numerous issues, saying rhetoric portraying Türkiye as a new source of threat was linked to Israel's domestic political dynamics and electoral climate.

"We do not view this rhetoric as a responsible approach that fosters regional peace," he said.

"Türkiye has no hostility toward the Israeli people or toward any other society. What we oppose are policies that we consider contrary to international law and steps that deepen instability in our region."

- Erdoğan calls for integration of armed groups into Syrian state

Turning to Syria, Erdoğan stressed that all armed groups must be integrated into the central state structure to consolidate the country's sovereignty, territorial integrity, and national unity.

He said the process should proceed on the basis of equal citizenship and support a political order in which all Syrians, including Kurds, could enjoy greater security, freedom, and prosperity.

Regarding the terror group PKK's decision to dissolve and disarm, Erdoğan described the move as an important milestone but emphasized that its implementation on the ground remained essential.

He also said Ankara was closely monitoring attempts by the PKK/PJAK to exploit developments in Iran, warning against external interference and the mobilization of ethnic and sectarian divisions.

"Türkiye's criterion is not ethnic identity; it is terrorism, violence and threats to our national security," he said.

- Türkiye ready to facilitate renewed Russia-Ukraine peace talks

On the Russia-Ukraine war, Erdoğan warned against the risk of the conflict spreading to other European countries and reiterated Türkiye's readiness to facilitate renewed negotiations.

He cited the Istanbul talks, the Black Sea Grain Initiative, and prisoner exchanges as concrete results of Ankara's ability to maintain communication with both Moscow and Kyiv.

Erdoğan said he had reaffirmed Türkiye's willingness to contribute to peace during his latest meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Bishkek.

He also called for a lasting mechanism to protect commercial shipping in the Black Sea, stressing the importance of keeping civilian maritime transportation, trade routes, and energy infrastructure outside the conflict.

"Once the necessary political will is demonstrated, Türkiye stands ready to contribute to bringing the parties back to the negotiating table and paving the way for peace," he said.

Erdoğan concluded that Türkiye would continue preserving its established alliances while developing new partnerships, pursuing a foreign policy that combined national interests, regional stability, and global peace.