Turkish Foreign Minister to Visit Ireland for Bilateral Talks

Strategic Insights -

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan is set to visit Ireland on August 26-27, 2025, marking a significant milestone in the strengthening of bilateral relations between the two countries. During his visit, Fidan will meet with Simon Harris, Irish Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Trade and Defence, to discuss regional consultations, high-level contacts, and joint events. The visit aims to deepen trade, economic, and cultural relations between Turkey and Ireland, as well as to explore new opportunities for cooperation in the defense industry sector.

Key Takeaways:

  • Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan will make his first visit to Ireland on August 26-27, 2025, to hold talks with Simon Harris, Irish Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Trade and Defence.
  • Fidan will emphasize the importance of strengthening bilateral relations and regional consultations between Turkey and Ireland, as well as the possibility of increasing high-level contacts and joint events in the coming period.
  • The visit aims to deepen trade, economic, and cultural relations between Turkey and Ireland, and to explore new opportunities for cooperation in the defense industry sector.
  • Ankara expects to take steps to strengthen relations between Turkey and the European Union under Ireland's rotating presidency of the European Union.
  • Turkey's accession to the European Security Action Mechanism is a geostrategic necessity, and Fidan will emphasize Turkey's openness to developing partnerships with Ireland in this area.
  • The two countries aim to increase trade volume from around US$2 billion to US$3 billion, and Ireland's investments in Turkey have reached US$1.3 billion.
  • The approximately 13,000 Turkish citizens residing in Ireland play a pivotal role in strengthening relations between the two countries.
  • The number of Irish tourists visiting Turkey is steadily increasing, reaching approximately 200,000 by 2024.

Statistics:

  • Trade volume between Turkey and Ireland currently stands at around US$2 billion.
  • The two countries aim to increase trade volume to US$3 billion.
  • Ireland's investments in Turkey have reached US$1.3 billion.
  • Approximately 13,000 Turkish citizens reside in Ireland.
  • The number of Irish tourists visiting Turkey reached approximately 200,000 by 2024.
  • 2026 marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Turkey and Ireland.

Sources:

  • [No source provided in the original text; material is a press release from the Emirates Centre for Strategic Studies and Research]