Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Friday the world is facing a deepening crisis in both power and direction, warning that the international system has reached a “serious and dangerous threshold”.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum 2026, Erdogan said global mechanisms tasked with protecting human rights and security have remained ineffective, and at times indifferent, in the face of major crises.

He described the current turmoil as “primarily a moral and existential crisis”, pointing to developments in Gaza following the events of October 7 as evidence of the scale of the breakdown.

“Reading what is happening in Gaza merely as a humanitarian tragedy would be incomplete,” Erdogan said, adding that the situation reveals the limits of the current international order.

He also criticised the global system’s response to conflicts across the region, saying it has failed “the most basic test of humanity” in places such as Syria, Gaza, the West Bank and Lebanon.

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Call for diplomacy, ceasefire opportunity

Erdogan stressed the importance of preserving diplomatic channels, saying disputes should not be resolved through violence.

“No matter how deep the disagreements, we must not allow words to be replaced by weapons or negotiations by bloody conflict,” he said.

Referring to tensions involving the US, Israel, and Iran, Erdogan said the opportunity created by a ceasefire should be used effectively to establish lasting peace.

He also stressed the need for a conciliatory approach, warning that parties should remain “ready and vigilant” against any attempts by Israel to undermine the negotiation process.

Highlighting the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz, Erdogan said access to open seas for Gulf countries should not be restricted.

“The essential point is to ensure freedom of navigation based on established rules and to keep the Strait of Hormuz open to commercial shipping,” he said.

Regional, global policy priorities

On Syria, Erdogan said strengthening stability and normalisation in the neighbouring country is vital for the region’s future.

He reiterated Türkiye’s readiness to support direct negotiations, including a possible leaders’ summit, if the parties in the Russia-Ukraine war are willing.

Erdogan also reaffirmed Türkiye’s commitment to its EU membership goal, while calling on the bloc to overcome what he described as a “direction problem” and remain faithful to its founding vision.

Addressing tensions in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean, he said Türkiye aims to turn the region into a “basin of stability and prosperity”, while rejecting “maximalist unilateral approaches” that seek to exclude Ankara and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

Erdogan added that Türkiye continues to pursue a peaceful foreign policy across regions while strengthening its existing alliances, and remains open to cooperation with neighbouring countries through initiatives such as “the Development Road project” in the energy and connectivity sectors.