YouSaid · the spoken record

Abdullah Gül

lines on the record: 114
first: 2003-09-24
most recent: 2013-09-24
sittings or episodes: 7
sources: un-general-debate

Every line below is reproduced as it was said and linked to the record it came from. Nothing here is summarised or generated. Directory · Search · Corrections

“We must join our strength to build an enduring international order that is worthy of the principles of the Charter of the United Nations. A stable, secure, and prosperous world is the best way to secure and advance all of our interests. Achieving such a world remains our fundamental responsibility to our nations.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“Our approach to Africa is one of equal partnership and is best captured in the African proverb which states, “If you want to go fast, go alone. But if you want to go far, go together.” For Turkey, relations with Africa remain a key priority. Turkey is a candidate for a non-permanent seat on the Security Council for the term 2015-2016. If elected, Turkey will bring an independent voice to the Security Council, one that listens to all and tries to find comprehensive and lasting solutions through dialogue. We expect the support of all Members for our candidacy. I believe that the new millennium is one in which democracy, rule of law, respect for human rights and global welfare will continue to expand. I believe that an international peace shaped by freedom, justice, dignity, social progress and economic welfare is within our reach.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“It is essential to strike a balance between protecting freedom of expression and preserving respect for faiths. The current challenges of development are matters of global concern. Turkey is now runing a comprehensive assistance and direct investment package for the world’s least developed countries. Humanitarian diplomacy is a key objective of Turkish foreign policy. In fact, Turkey became the fourth- largest donor last year. Including the contributions of Turkish non-governmental organizations in the fields of health, education, and capacity-building, Turkey’s humanitarian assistance totals $2 billion per year. Our engagement in Somalia is an exemplary case. We have allocated $300 million so far.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“For that reason, I have personally initiated and led the efforts to establish the Trilateral Summit process among Afghanistan, Pakistan and Turkey. Since 2007, it has proven a real success, and I am confident that more success will follow. Another important issue that affects us all is terrorism. It is real, extremely dangerous, and a crime against humanity, and it must be defeated. We can defeat it only when we get rid of “my terrorist/your terrorist” distinctions. Effective international partnership against terrorism remains a key priority for Turkey. There is yet another issue that needs our attention. Unfortunately, Islamophobia has become a new form of racism. It aims to create an abstract, imaginary enemy from the millions of peace-loving Muslims all over the world.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“Frozen conflicts hinder effective regional cooperation. We strongly urge peaceful resolution of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict and achieving sustainable peace in the Caucasus, based on territorial integrity. We have proposed a comprehensive strategy for regional economic cooperation and development, combined with gradual withdrawal from the occupied territories. We believe that can serve as a solid basis for regional peace. Another area where regional cooperation is in high demand is the Balkans. In the last few years, Turkey has bolstered its efforts to build strong ties with all Balkan nations. Our objective is to create an atmosphere of dialogue, trust, mutual understanding and conciliation. We also have a dependable interest in a secure, prosperous and peaceful Afghanistan. Here, too, regional cooperation and ownership is a must.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“There is also a need for the presence of a reconciled and unified Palestinian front. That brings us to another issue upon which our credibility rests — the question of Cyprus. Repeated attempts towards a peaceful settlement have ended in failure, including the rejection of the Annan plan in 2004. Turkey, as a guarantor, is fully and sincerely committed to finding a just and negotiated settlement. We therefore expect the international community to urge the Greek Cypriots to reciprocate by engaging in result-oriented, time-framed negotiations in good faith. Those who must solve this question are the Turks and Greeks of Cyprus. They must start negotiating as soon as next month, with no ifs or buts. The settlement of the Cyprus question is essential to a stable and peaceful eastern Mediterranean.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“The noble cause of the Arab peoples deserves our full and unhesitating support. The continuation of the Palestinian question for more than half a century has inflicted colossal damage on the very concept of justice. The denial of the right of the Palestinians to have a State of their own has no justification on any moral, political or legal ground. Despite insistent calls of the international community, the continued expansion of the illegal settlements on Palestinian land undermines the prospects for a two- State solution. The case for peace is self-evident. We therefore welcome and strongly support the talks initiated between the parties under the auspices of the United States. The success of future efforts mainly depends on the Israeli Government’s acceptance of the establishment of a viable, contiguous Palestinian State.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“To that end, we must devise and enforce a political strategy led by the Permanent Five and the neighbouring countries. For the last three years, the Middle East has been experiencing a remarkable era of social and political change. The process of transformation begun in 2010 marks the end of the century-old, region-wide status quo. Of course, there have been and will be waves of reaction against the changes. Nevertheless, the advances in the region, including in Tunisia, Libya and Egypt, are irreversible. Arab peoples are equally capable of building pluralistic societies. Yet we should not expect the newly emerging political systems to transform into mature democracies overnight. It is only through slow but steady democratic processes that societies will come to understand the value of conciliation.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“There has to be a sound strategy with well- defined and well-calculated objectives for a peaceful solution. It has to aim to end Syria’s civil war, ensuring the immediate safety and security of the Syrian people and the country’s stable transition. The enforcement of such a strategy requires a fully determined, committed and robust international engagement — exactly what has been missing since the beginning of the conflict. In short, we cannot and shall not leave the Syrian people to their fate. The burden of ending Syria’s plight now rests on the shoulders of the international community. Strong words of support must now be matched by real deeds. We must be relentless in our search for a new, stable, intact and secure Syria, at peace with its people and its neighbours.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“We must be aware of the threat and realize that with each day we lose in indecision, the more remote the prospects for a peaceful Syria become. After the Syrian people took to the streets against the regime, many international statements were made to support their cause, strong in their wording and promises. Those apparent commitments raised the hopes of the Syrian people. Yet many nations remained at a comfortable distance, disturbed only by the horrible images from Syria. Meanwhile, the Syrian people’s cries for help went unheeded. What could match the Syrian people’s disappointment as they suffered the worst massacre of the twenty-first century as the international community simply looked on. That brings me to the question of what needs to be done.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“Agreement on chemical weapons must not be allowed to substitute for a comprehensive political strategy to address the situation in Syria. The conflict has evolved into a real threat to regional peace and security. Any recurrence of the proxy wars of the Cold War era will plunge Syria into further chaos. The continuation of the refugee crisis will pose vital social, political and economic risks for the host nations, as we have learned bitterly on many occasions. We know that civil wars are among the most brutal. We also know how they foster radicalism and extremism. Once extremist groups take root in a State, they form autonomous structures and become a real threat to security, not only at home but also abroad. In the end, dissolving such organizations presents the greatest challenge to restoring security in a country.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“The agreement to destroy Syria’s chemical arsenal must not allow the regime to avoid responsibility for its other crimes. Syria, a great country and a great nation, is consuming itself. It is a disgrace that the Security Council has failed to uphold its primary responsibility in that case. It is deeply regrettable that political differences, balance-of-power politics and geopolitical considerations have prevailed over the imperative to end the tragedy. Staying on this course cannot be an option. When the tragedy began, we spoke of the killing of hundreds of people, then thousands, then tens of thousands, and now we speak of over a hundred thousand deaths. If we cannot stop the conflict now, rest assured that we will be talking about twice that number next year. I cannot emphasize this enough.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“I hope it will be a first step in the formation of a security architecture to ensure the elimination of all weapons of mass destruction in the Middle East. Yet the recent approach to the situation in Syria also raises difficult questions. Were it not for the use of chemical weapons, would the international community have continued to turn a blind eye to the deaths of more than 100,000 people? For how long can we afford to evade our moral responsibility to the people being killed even as we speak here? The conflict neither began with the use of chemical weapons nor will it end with an agreement to eliminate them. We therefore bluntly reject any position that is not troubled by the killing of innocent people in itself, but only by the means of such killing. Such an approach is immoral and totally unacceptable.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“Turkey welcomes and firmly supports the United States-Russian agreement to eliminate Syria’s arsenal of chemical weapons. That agreement has to be translated into a tangible Security Council resolution. When Syria comes clean about its arsenal, once and for all, it will be a relief for the Syrian people and the region. As Syria’s neighbour, Turkey will appreciate more than most the complete and verifiable destruction of those weapons. Nevertheless, we cannot forget that chemical weapons were used against Syrian civilians only a month ago. The perpetrators of that crime against humanity must be held accountable and be brought to justice. I also see the agreement on Syrian chemical weapons as an opportunity.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“It should never forfeit its prime responsibility for the sake of power politics. We must realize that inaction by the Security Council only emboldens aggressive regimes. We need a United Nations capable of forcing the perpetrators of brutal actions to submit to justice and the rule of law. Only through such a United Nations can we achieve the truly peaceful world envisioned by the Organization’s founders. Yet as much as that remains a noble goal, it is also an urgent necessity. Decisive action is the only way that the United Nations system will remain relevant and credible. To face that new reality, we need a Security Council that is truly democratic, representative, effective and accountable. No issue facing us is more pressing than the situation in Syria. Let me be clear.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“Today regional and international peace and security depend upon the maintenance of domestic order in each individual nation. True domestic peace is the key to regional and international peace and stability That is a challenge that we will continue to face in the years ahead. We all know that no one holds a monopoly on righteousness, yet I would like to touch upon the function of the whole United Nations system. We all need a strong, efficient and credible United Nations. We need a United Nations fit for its purpose in confronting current global realities. The United Nations of which I speak should be a body capable of taking action to maintain international peace and security. It should be able to safeguard security, justice and the people’s fundamental rights and freedoms.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“Such conflicts have been increasing in both frequency and magnitude. They are largely driven by the problem of political legitimacy, which leads the governed to withhold their consent and limits the prospects for domestic order. Leaders without political legitimacy share a common delusion. Instead of reading the future and leading transformation, they believe that they can buy time with irresponsible actions against their own people. Eventually, those domestic conflicts escalate into civil wars, such as the tragedy we are witnessing in Syria. The actions of those leaders have implications for peace and security beyond their own borders. If some leaders insist on defining their security in a way that inflicts insecurity upon other nations there can be no collective security.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“I wish to start by extending our sincere congratulations to Mr. John Ashe on his assumption of the presidency of the General Assembly at its sixty-eighth session. At the dawn of the twenty-first century, we had every reason to be optimistic about the future. With the end of the Cold War, the moral balance of the world shifted towards the pursuit of peace. A lasting peace is far more than the mere absence of war. We, the international community, understood the imperative of working together for a stable world order. We maintain our strong commitment to the universal principles of the United Nations system and, in a spirit of solidarity and cooperation, we develop effective international responses to the scourge of terrorism. Yet the most profound crises of our times have been emerging from internal conflicts.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“In conclusion, I wish to reiterate our view that the United Nations can and should play an even larger role in chartering a better future for humankind. It is up to us, the Member States, to provide the United Nations with the necessary political support and concrete tools so that it can fulfil that role. I assure the Assembly that Turkey, for its part, will continue to lend its full support and cooperation to the United Nations in our quest to leave a much safer, more prosperous, cleaner and healthier world to our children.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“We share the vision of the Secretary-General that a settlement will be within reach before the end of this year, but this process should not be open-ended. A positive outcome emerging from these negotiations would rapidly transform the eastern Mediterranean into a pillar of peace, stability, cooperation and welfare in the European Union. The Turkish Cypriots have shown that they are in favour of a settlement, as clearly manifested in the 2004 referendum, but they continue to suffer unjustly from the absence of a settlement. I would like to repeat the call made by the Secretary-General to the international community to take the necessary steps to eliminate the isolation of the Turkish Cypriots and enable their integration into the greater world.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“In the wake of the terrible disaster caused by the floods, it is critically 27 10-54827 important to support the people and the democratic Government of Pakistan in healing their wounds. Africa is another region that requires the international community’s collective responsibility and action. The burden of resolving the overwhelming problems of that continent cannot be placed on the shoulders of Africans alone. It is in this understanding that Turkey has devised a comprehensive policy that includes effective political, social and economic measures to help address the challenges that Africa faces. On the Cyprus issue, our long-standing commitment and full support of a just and lasting settlement remains unchanged.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“Given this context, we attach particular importance to the peaceful resolution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Any failure in Afghanistan will certainly have unpredictable consequences for the international community. Therefore, Afghanistan deserves our close attention and sincere commitment. Afghanistan is going through a historic process of transformation. As military operations continue, there must be a simultaneous and growing emphasis on civilian efforts to win the hearts and minds of the Afghan people. Turkey’s commitment to Afghanistan is open-ended. We will continue our assistance as long as the Afghans require it. Supporting Pakistan’s democracy is also of singular importance, not only in and of itself, but also to the stability of the region as a whole.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“Moreover, the launching of trilateral cooperation mechanisms with Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia, on the one hand, and with Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia, on the other, was of historic significance. Through these mechanisms, we are trying to create a new atmosphere of mutual understanding and cooperation among those nations. I believe that the integration of the western Balkan countries into the European and Euro-Atlantic structures would be a decisive final step for the resolution of conflicts in the region. As for the Caucasus, we remain committed to pursuing our efforts in search of a comprehensive and sustainable peace in the region, while respecting the principle of territorial integrity. In recent years, we have all seen how frozen conflict can easily turn into active clashes in the region.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“This controversy can be resolved only in conformity with International Atomic Energy Agency norms and obligation under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, and in respect for the right to the peaceful use of nuclear energy. In this vein, the Tehran Declaration and the July gathering in Istanbul provide a window of opportunity to be seized. We believe that there is no alternative to diplomacy. As a Balkan country, Turkey attaches cardinal priority to the peace, stability and economic development of the Balkans. In recent years, we have actively engaged in result-oriented initiatives in the Balkans by intensifying our high-level bilateral visits to Belgrade and Sarajevo.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“As for Iraq, the elections of 7 March marked a new period for the people of that country. Nevertheless, the post-election political stalemate is aggravating the security situation and hindering the launch of a comprehensive reconstruction programme. We sincerely hope that the new Government in Iraq will reflect the balance that emerged at the elections. The new Government must be inclusive, effective and democratic. In the aftermath of the withdrawal of foreign combat troops, we also urge all neighbours of Iraq to act responsibly and support the territorial integrity, political unity and sovereignty of Iraq. We must all help the Iraqi people in their quest for a better future. Our contributions to international efforts in the search for an urgent and peaceful settlement of the Iranian nuclear issue will also continue.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“In this context, the attack in May of the Israeli armed forces on the international humanitarian aid convoy on the high seas resulted in grave civilian casualties and was an unacceptable act, in clear violation of international law. In the light of international law, Turkey expects a formal apology and compensation for the aggrieved families of the victims and the injured people. Therefore, we attach particular importance to the work of the panel of inquiry and the fact-finding mission. We are pleased to have received the report (A/HRC/15/21) of the fact-finding mission established by the United Nations Human Rights Council. The report offers a solid legal framework for establishing the facts of the incident. We also look forward to the successful completion of the work of the panel.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“Permanent peace in the Middle East is the key to a peaceful and stable future for the world. Unfortunately, the absence of peace there has had serious and adverse strategic consequences for the rest of the world. Turkey has therefore always supported every effort aimed at reaching a comprehensive peace in the Middle East. In this understanding, we appreciate President Obama’s efforts and welcome the direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians. We hope that this new engagement can take us closer to a viable and fair settlement. On the other hand, it will be very difficult to make progress towards permanent peace unless we put an end to the humanitarian tragedy in Gaza.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“If we allocate a small fraction of our defence expenditures to financing and establishing a peacekeeping capability, we will have more cost- efficient results in maintaining peace and stability in the world. Moreover, if we could pool some of our defence equipment — equipment that has lost its effective utility in military terms but is still relevant for disaster-relief operations — we could swiftly improve such rapid-reaction capability. Of course, existing regional capacities could be instrumental in this global endeavour. All such resources should be channeled directly to those in need, and not eroded by excessive administrative costs. On the political side of our agenda, there is no shortage of enduring regional issues. Because of time 10-54827 26 constraints, I will touch only briefly on some of them here.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“Such issues no longer fall into the category of soft risks, but rather pose a clear and present threat to humankind. In the face of such overwhelming threats, it is time to take global action within the United Nations framework. To that end, I call on Member States to explore the possibility of establishing a global rapid- reaction capability to effectively tackle natural and ecological disasters, food shortages and epidemics. This would also help to maintain international peace and security by mitigating threats that arise from weak governance, the collapse of public order and domestic or inter-State conflict over diminishing natural resources.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“In recent years, tragedy has struck many nations because of the adverse impact of climate change around the world. Some parts of our planet are experiencing severe drought, while others have been hit by devastating floods. The current plight of Pakistan is a reminder that this has become a pressing issue that calls for urgent remedial action. We must acknowledge that a sustainable environment is an indivisible global public good for humankind. We must therefore assume collective responsibility for preserving it. Billions of lives, not just today but also of future generations, will depend on the actions we take now. The global food crisis is another urgent concern. It poses a worrying challenge to coming generations. These compelling economic, demographic, ecological and biological challenges oblige us to redefine the notion of security.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“During the past decade, Turkey’s economic indicators improved, as did its development assistance. Our relatively greater means have enabled us to contribute more to the development of others. Turkey has now evolved into an emerging donor. With the contribution of Turkish-based non-governmental organizations, our overall development assistance exceeds $1.5 billion annually. Through the Turkish International Cooperation and Development Agency, we allocate that amount to diverse capacity-building projects, in fields such as health, education, agriculture and infrastructure. Developing nations are also more exposed than others to the gravest threats of four interconnected problems: global warming, climate change, epidemics and food security.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“Within the Group of 20 (G-20), we strongly support the efforts of international forums aimed at restoring global growth and streamlining financial practices. We believe that the G-20 should continue to play a central role in putting together the right policies and measures to those ends. The situation of the least developed countries has worsened in the aftermath of the global crisis. Every effort should therefore be made to integrate those countries into the global economy. In that endeavour, we should act according to the principles of free and fair trade and avoid protectionist tendencies. It is with these thoughts that we look forward to the Fourth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries, to be organized next year in Istanbul.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“We must draw the proper lessons from it in order to avoid a recurrence of similar shocks in the future. That crisis was caused by the irresponsible acts of some financial institutions in the most developed markets. Ordinary people have paid the highest price for the mistakes of a few in developed nations. The current economic crisis revealed once again the weakness and deficiencies of the existing global and national financial and economic architectures, which lack effective governance and regulations to oversee reckless financial institutions. The Turkish economy, however, has managed to stay on course in spite of the world economic crisis, thanks to previously undertaken comprehensive economic and financial measures.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“We also support the calls made in May at the Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons for convening a conference on a zone free of weapons of mass destruction in the Middle East in 2012. I believe that such an initial step would be a sine qua non for all non-proliferation initiatives in the rest of the world. In responding to those security challenges, we should keep in mind that global problems cannot be solved unilaterally, bilaterally or within a small circle of like-minded nations. Therefore, it is more important 25 10-54827 today than ever for us to adopt a multilateral approach to global problems. One such problem is the current global economic crisis. Though we are in a slow recovery, the impact of the crisis is still being felt today.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“We cannot overcome that menace unless all Member States, including nuclear States, adopt a just and principled approach to their respective policies. Establishing a credible global non-proliferation regime will not be possible if we ignore the de facto existence of nuclear weapons in certain countries at the heart of some of the world’s most delicate regions. In this context, I would like to call on all Member States to intensify their efforts to create a zone free of weapons of mass destruction in the Middle East, as was envisaged in Security Council resolution 687 (1991), and as has been repeatedly called for by the General Assembly.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“Indeed, this afternoon, we will be holding a Security Council summit to exchange views and ideas on this matter at the highest political level. Furthermore, next Monday, we will hold a thematic debate of the Security Council on counter-terrorism. Terrorism is indeed a leading and most pressing challenge for the international community on the global scale. It cannot be countered without sincere, effective, cohesive and concrete international cooperation. I would like to recall that our struggle against terrorism is bound to fail unless we fight all terrorist organizations, irrespective of their supposed political, ideological, ethnic or religious aims. The proliferation of weapons of mass destruction is one of the risks of our contemporary world.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“The mission of the United Nations is to protect the dignity, security and well- being of all human beings. Therefor, peace, security, stability and general welfare constitute the tenets of Turkey’s work and action in the United Nations. Since this Assembly gave us an overwhelming mandate for Turkey’s non–permanent seat on the Security Council, we have worked hard, sincerely, objectively and effectively to contribute to peace, security and the welfare of the international community. In these two years, we have tried to offer added value, in a fair and principled manner, in addressing various global and regional issues. We have sought to advance the discussions within the Council on an issue to which we have always accorded high priority: peacekeeping and peacebuilding.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“It is also with that sense of responsibility that Turkey has decided to put forth its candidature for a non-permanent seat on the Security Council for 2009 and 2010. Turkey has not been represented in the Council for nearly half a century, and we believe that the main tenets of our foreign policy, together with our economic, social and cultural attributes, will allow us to bring added value to the work of the Council. I hope that the General Assembly, with its valuable support, will do us the honour of granting Turkey the opportunity to do so.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“At the same time, I believe that efforts to end the unfair isolation of the Turkish Cypriots who voted courageously in favour of the Comprehensive Settlement of the Cyprus Problem in 2004 — a plan that was unfortunately rejected by the other side — are long overdue. Before concluding, I would like to stress the indispensable nature of the United Nations in resolving all those matters. Indeed, without an effective and functional world body, it is impossible to realize the hopes and expectations of our nations. That is why we attach the utmost importance to reforming and further strengthening the United Nations system as a whole. It is also why Turkey is constantly stepping up its engagement in and contributions to all aspects of the United Nations agenda, ranging from development and peacekeeping to human rights.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“That is why I invite all the parties to give serious consideration to the longstanding idea of collective arrangements for conflict prevention and resolution that would promote regional security and stability by building confidence, facilitating political dialogue and encouraging economic and cultural cooperation in the Middle East. Turkey gives full backing to diplomatic efforts towards a political settlement in Cyprus. The solution lies in the establishment of a new partnership State composed of two constituent States of equal status. The process towards that goal should be based on the United Nations parameters of bi-zonality and the political equality of the two sides. We welcome and firmly support the comprehensive settlement negotiations recently started between the two leaders under the good offices of the Secretary-General.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“That is equally vital for the common struggle against terrorism and for the stability of the region. Finally, an urgent and peaceful settlement of the question of Iran’s nuclear programme, in conformity with International Atomic Energy Agency norms and Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons obligations and respecting the right to the peaceful use of nuclear energy, remains high on Turkey’s active diplomatic agenda. I am convinced that would-be solutions to individual conflicts in the Middle East will be sustainable only if we adopt a comprehensive approach based on a positive vision for the future.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“In Iraq, too, Turkey stands firmly with the Iraqi people and Government. Besides our bilateral efforts, I am particularly pleased to see that the Neighbouring Countries process, which I initiated five years ago, is functioning well. If the international community’s efforts are to succeed, the Iraqi people need to settle their differences through dialogue and compromise on controversial issues, among them the final status of Kirkuk. Afghanistan is another country where Turkey is investing heavily in the future of a nation with which we have special historical ties. Turkey will continue to contribute to the security of the Afghan people and to their reconstruction efforts. We will also continue our initiatives to create an atmosphere conducive to regional ownership and cooperation, in particular between Pakistan and Afghanistan.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“I sincerely believe that a positive perspective thus created will help to solve frozen conflicts, including occupied Nagorno-Karabakh, on the basis of respect for the principle of territorial integrity. No doubt, such a perspective will also help improve the bilateral ties between the countries of the region. The President returned to the Chair. It is also well past time to settle the conflicts of the Middle East, at the core of which lies the Palestinian question. Turkey actively supports all endeavours to bring about a lasting solution to that central problem and alleviate the plight of the Palestinian people. Turkey is also making every effort to help advance the Syrian and Lebanese tracks. One 08-51570 22 recent example is the indirect peace talks that Syria and Israel started under Turkey’s auspices this past May in Istanbul.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“Encouraged by its strong regional ties, Turkey has launched another initiative designed to prevent further conflict in the recently traumatized South Caucasus. In that regard, I believe that the Caucasus Stability and Cooperation Platform proposed by Turkey could be an instrumental framework for building a climate of confidence in the region that will allow discussion of our common problems in a democratic setting. In the light of impressions from my visits to our neighbours Armenia and Azerbaijan and those of Prime Minister Erdogan to the Russian Federation and Georgia, all parties concerned seem receptive to the idea; we hope they will give it a chance to work.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“Driven by that conviction, we are taking active part in negotiations to shape our new global climate change agreement, which will replace the Kyoto Protocol. Turkey also pays special attention to the global water crisis. In that regard, we hope that the Fifth World Water Forum which we will host in Istanbul next March will inspire new thinking and concrete action on this important question. If I may now turn to the political issues besetting our region, I am pleased to note that Turkey has been actively contributing to the advancement of peace by facilitating dialogue. We have also been working hard to build a sense of co-ownership of regional issues among our neighbours through a series of regional cooperation initiatives.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“As a result of such fast-growing aid programmes, Turkey is now recognized as an emerging donor country by the international community. The United Nations Ministerial Conference of the Least Developed Countries which Turkey hosted in Istanbul last year has clearly demonstrated our commitment to humanitarian and development assistance. We have now offered to host the Fourth Ministerial Conference. Similarly, the first-ever Turkey-Africa Cooperation Summit held in Istanbul last month provided an important opportunity to explore new avenues of cooperation with the African continent. Turkey is also committed to combating global warming, which has serious implications for the entire world, but more so for the developing countries.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“In this vein, we look forward to hosting the second Forum meeting of the Alliance of Civilizations in Istanbul next April. As I said, a top priority issue on our agenda is the need to address the problems of the developing world. There is no question that developing countries should get all the assistance they need to achieve sustainable development. They must be supported under a renewed global development agenda and through increased foreign investments and enhanced trade facilities. For its part, Turkey is trying to contribute to this endeavour, first and foremost through increased development assistance. Turkey also provides special facilities for development, health, education and agricultural projects in various parts of the world.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“We must indeed remain extremely vigilant against the risk of further alienation between different cultures and religions. In that respect, we regard the Alliance of Civilizations initiative, which we cosponsored with Spain under the auspices of the United Nations Secretary-General, as an important instrument that can help us avoid such a dangerous track. Turkey will continue to be a leading country in further advancing the goals of this initiative which enjoys worldwide backing, including from the European Union and the Organization of the Islamic Conference. We hope that the Group of Friends of the Alliance of Civilizations, which now consists of 14 international organizations and 76 countries representing different regions ranging from Latin America to Africa and Asia, will keep growing.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“In this framework, we believe that the most pressing task before the international community is to bridge, as quickly as possible, the enormous gap between the wealthiest and the least fortunate. We have certainly made considerable progress in that direction, including towards meeting the Millennium Development Goals; however, our common fight against poverty, illiteracy, epidemic diseases, child mortality and climate change is still far from over. On the contrary, volatile fuel prices, the food crisis and the global economic slowdown have brought about an even 21 08-51570 more challenging development and security environment. Under such circumstances, the fight against terrorism, racism, xenophobia and all forms of religious discrimination and extremism takes on particular importance.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“At the outset, I wish to extend our sincere congratulations to Mr. Miguel d’Escoto Brockmann on his election as President of the General Assembly at its sixty-third session. I would also like to take the opportunity to pay tribute to the President of the General Assembly at its sixty-second session, Mr. Srgjan Kerim, for his able leadership during his past term. For Turkey, the United Nations Charter reflects the common aspirations and conscience of humanity. The United Nations provides a political and moral compass for our endeavours towards a just international order — a better order that will prevent new conflicts, ensure that human rights are upheld and lead to more equitable and sustainable distribution of prosperity.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)