Who is Who - Feridun Sinirlioglu: New OSCE Chief, a key figure in Turkey’s secret diplomacy

Feridun Hadi Sinirlioglu, a seasoned Turkish diplomat and close associate of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, has been elected as the new head of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). Throughout his diplomatic career, Sinirlioglu has participated in numerous high-profile international negotiations and missions, playing a pivotal role in Ankara's secret diplomacy in recent years.

Early Life and Education

Sinirlioglu was born on January 30, 1956, in Giresun, Turkey. After completing high school in Istanbul, he graduated from Ankara University’s Faculty of Political Sciences and earned his master’s and doctorate degrees in International Relations from Boğaziçi University.
He is married to Ambassador Ayşe Sinirlioglu and has two children. He speaks fluent English and German.

Diplomatic Career

Sinirlioglu began his career in the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1982, initially working in the Personnel and Multilateral Cultural Affairs Departments.

In 1985, he served as a senior officer at the Turkish Embassy in The Hague and later in Beirut. Upon returning to Ankara, he worked as a First Secretary in the Bilateral Political Department on Greek affairs (1991–1992). From 1992 to 1996, he served as a Political Counselor at Turkey’s UN Mission in New York.

Between 1996 and 2000, he was Chief Advisor to the President of Turkey. He subsequently became Deputy Director General for the Middle East and North Africa, and in 2002, he was appointed Turkey's Ambassador to Israel.

Sinirlioglu also briefly served as Turkey’s Minister of Foreign Affairs in a transitional government in 2015 and was Turkey’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations from October 15, 2016, to 2023.

Serbia and Kosovo

Sinirlioglu holds the record for the longest tenure as Undersecretary of the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. During this period, he led a delegation to Serbia to enhance bilateral relations and foster economic, regional, and multilateral cooperation.

While he did not directly engage with Kosovo-related issues, Sinirlioglu supported Kosovo’s membership in international organizations, which he reiterated during a meeting with Kosovo's Consul Blerim Reka in New York.

A Mediator in Crises

Sinirlioglu has been a key player in Turkey’s foreign policy, particularly in relations with the Middle East and Western nations. He was instrumental in balancing Turkey’s relations with NATO and the EU and mediating significant regional crises, including those involving Syria and Iraq.

Notably, he maintained communication with Israel during a period of strained relations, leading to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s apology to Erdoğan over the Mavi Marmara flotilla incident. He also contributed to shifting Turkey’s foreign policy on Syria and negotiating with the U.S., enabling Turkey to participate actively in the fight against ISIS and opening its bases to allied aircraft.

Election as OSCE Chief

Sinirlioglu’s election to lead the OSCE is tied to a diplomatic compromise between Turkey and Greece—two nations traditionally at odds. Turkish media reported that joint efforts by Greece and Turkey secured the necessary support from OSCE member states.

This agreement coincides with a broader rapprochement between Greece and Turkey after decades of tension, with expectations that his election will help reduce hostilities and improve bilateral relations.