Turkish diplomat becomes OSCE chief with support from foes

A senior Turkish diplomat has been appointed as the new secretary-general of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) with the unanimous support of all 57 participating countries, including Greece, Armenia, and Cyprus.

Turkey and Greece, as part of a mutual agreement, jointly advanced former Turkish Foreign Minister Feridun Sinirlioglu for the post, while Greece nominated Maria Telalian for the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights at the OSCE.

The two countries have been fostering closer ties since last year, marked by frequent visits and efforts to resolve longstanding bilateral issues.

“This is both a result and an indicator of the recent rapprochement in Turkish-Greek relations,” said a Turkish official, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Sinirlioglu was selected for the position on Friday during a meeting in Malta, where the OSCE chairmanship was being led.

The OSCE had been without a secretary-general since 2023 due to the ongoing Ukraine war and the resulting tensions between Western powers and Russia and its allies.

Turkish sources believe the unanimous decision to support Turkey’s candidate reflects the international trust in the country.

Ankara’s active and constructive diplomatic efforts in addressing crises in Ukraine, Azerbaijan and other regions have been at the forefront of the international agenda in recent years.

Notably, Armenia and Cyprus – countries with historically strained relations with Turkey – did not object to the appointment and even lent their support.

In an official statement, the Turkish Foreign Ministry congratulated Sinirlioglu, stating that his election by consensus reflects the international recognition of “Turkey’s prestige, foreign policy, and active diplomacy” in resolving global crises.

In his career of more than 30 years, Sinirlioglu held many positions, including his recent role as UN special coordinator for Afghanistan.