UPDATE 2 - Counterparts congratulate Hakan Fidan on appointment as Türkiye’s foreign minister

UPDATES WITH CONGRATULATIONS BY ITALIAN, ROMANIAN, IRANIAN, INDIAN FOREIGN MINISTERS; CHANGES HEADLINE

By Ahmet Gencturk, Burc Eruygur, Dilara Hamit, and Faruk Zorlu

ANKARA/ISTANBUL/ATHENS (AA) – Foreign ministers extended congratulations to Hakan Fidan on his appointment as Türkiye's foreign minister after the swearing-in ceremony of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov conveyed his congratulations to Fidan and wished him "great success in this honorable position." Bayramov expressed confidence that the bonds of brotherhood and alliance between Azerbaijan and Türkiye would be further strengthened.

In a phone conversation later, Bayramov and Fidan exchanged views on various aspects of bilateral relations and regional issues between the two countries, and Bayramov invited Fidan to visit Azerbaijan, according to a statement by the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry.

Tahsin Ertugruloglu, from the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), extended well wishes to Fidan. He took to Twitter and expressed his belief that the two leaders would continue to work with determination to advance their national causes.

Joining in the congratulations, Estonia's Margus Tsahkna emphasized the alliance between his country and Türkiye. Tsahkna wrote that Türkiye is "our ally, and we are looking forward to working with you."

Catherine Colonna in France said: "See you soon to continue French-Turkish cooperation, peace and regional stability, global issues, dialogue at NATO." Her message highlighted the importance of the ongoing collaboration between the two nations.

Andriy Yermak, the head of Ukraine's Presidential Office, expressed his gratitude to Fidan for his commitment to establishing lasting peace in the region. Yermak emphasized their close friendship and Ukraine's strong ties with Türkiye.

Besides, "Looking forward to working together and further developing the strategic partnership between our two friendly nations," wrote Dmytro Kuleba, the top diplomat of Ukraine.

Similarly, Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom congratulated Fidan and expressed his expectation of "good cooperation" between their respective countries.

Bruno Rodriguez from Cuba was among Fidan's counterparts to send congratulations.

"I express cordial congratulations and wishes for success in his new duties to Hakan Fidan, on the occasion of his appointment as Minister of Foreign Affairs of Türkiye. I reaffirm the willingness to continue strengthening the bonds of friendship and cooperation between both nations," he wrote on Twitter.

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani stressed friendly relations between Rome and Ankara as well strategic partnership of the two countries in NATO and the Mediterranean in his message to Hakan Fidan on his appointment as Türkiye's new foreign minister.

"We are ready to work together to address global challenges," he said.

Romanian Foreign Minister Bogdan Aurescu, who represented his country at the inauguration ceremony of Erdogan on Saturday, said on Twitter: "Congratulations Hakan Fidan for your appointment as Foreign Minister of Türkiye. Looking forward to working together to deepen Romania-Türkiye Strategic Partnership, make Black Sea peaceful, prosperous resilient and NATO stronger!"

Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian also conveyed his congratulations to Fidan.

"I sincerely congratulate my brother Hakan Fidan for his appointment as the Turkish foreign minister. We had many close meetings. He is a professional and wise diplomat," Amirabdollahian said on Twitter.

India's External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar also congratulated Fidan on his appointment, saying: "Look forward to working for stronger India-Türkiye relations."

Fidan has served as Türkiye's intelligence chief since 2010.