YouSaid · the spoken record

Recep Tayyip Erdoğan

lines on the record: 298
first: 2007-09-24
most recent: 2023-09-24
sittings or episodes: 12
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

“Along with such measures, it is also essential that we bring an end to the civil war as quickly as possible and provide Somalia with democratic and unified governance in order to succeed in the fight against the piracy and terrorism originating there. In that regard, we would ask everyone to consider why the international community refuses to bestow on Somalia the attention it has given to conflict areas elsewhere in the world. The entire international community must act with a sense of utmost urgency in support of the efforts to build peace and stability in Somalia. The civil war that has suffocated our Somali brothers for 20 years must end without further delay. In that context, the recent progress made by Somali leaders towards building a national consensus gives us hope for the future.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“We also organized an emergency meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in Istanbul, at which pledges exceeded $350 million. Along with emergency humanitarian aid, Turkey is also determined to help build the infrastructure and facilities that will enable Somalia to stand on its own feet. In that regard, Turkey has undertaken a wide range of projects, from transportation to health and education, and from agriculture to fisheries and construction, including roads, hospitals, schools and water wells. By reopening our embassy in Mogadishu, we have also shown the world that claims of security problems cannot be an excuse for delaying assistance.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“Today, however, this cold colonial attitude stands aloof from places where it has no interest, and is watches idly as millions of children die for want of a morsel of bread in Somalia. I will be frank. No one can speak of peace, justice or civilization in the world if the cry rising from Somalia is left unheard. No words are sufficient to describe the agony there. Turkey’s approach to Somalia or any other international issue is firmly grounded on humanitarian principles, which is why we have launched a 31 11-50865 comprehensive aid campaign for Somalia with the strong support of our nation. We have collected donations from our people of about $300 million within the past two months; moreover, our humanitarian assistance to date totals more than $30 million.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“The civil war that has gone on for the past 20 years has wiped out all of Somalia’s resources and livelihood. The Somali people are being gradually dragged to their death as the world looks on. The international community is watching the suffering in Somalia as if it were a movie. It is urgent, however, that we face this situation, which is a test of our humanity. In doing so, we should not only look at the picture we see today, but also at the shameful history that has led Somalia into this great tragedy. Indeed, beneath the tip of this huge iceberg lie great crimes against humanity. In that respect, the situation in Somalia has also revealed the deep wounds inflicted by the colonialist mentality that kept Africa under its hegemony for centuries.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“The United Nations must therefore reform itself and renew its vision with a view to protecting the universal rights of humankind as a whole, rather than act in the interest and remain under the guardianship of certain countries. Last month in Somalia, for instance, I personally witnessed how the United Nations and the international community remain helpless in the face of today’s pressing problems. It is impossible for me to put into words the poverty and suffering I saw in Somalia. I am speaking of this because I have personally witnessed it, with my family and ministers. It is not hearsay; I have seen it myself. The tragedy of Somalia, where tens of thousands of children have died for the lack of a mere piece of bread and drop of water, is a matter of shame for the international community and cannot be dismissed in a few words.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“I extend my warm and respectful greetings to all, and hope that the sixty-sixth session of the General Assembly will yield fruitful results. I would like to congratulate Mr. Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser on his assumption of the presidency, and extend my sincere appreciation to Mr. Joseph Deiss for his service as the previous President of the Assembly. We are at a moment when both the international community and the United Nations are being tested in an unprecedented manner. I feel obliged, however, to state very frankly that today the United Nations is not demonstrating the leadership necessary to help humankind overcome its fears of the future.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“In conclusion, I would like to express my hope that the sixty-fourth session of the General Assembly will serve the best interests of all humankind, as well as the interests of peace.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“It is therefore essential to regard and understand diverse cultures not as the other, but as individual elements of humankind’s cultural inheritance, as well as to inculcate that spirit in new generations. That is the philosophy that underlies the Alliance of Civilizations, which has become a United Nations initiative that has strengthened its institutional structure under the co-sponsorship of Turkey and Spain. I have no doubt that the Alliance will make a significant contribution. We should ensure that it has a meaningful place in the Organization, as it can make important contributions to shaping a global civilization based on universal values centred on democracy, the rule of law, good governance, human rights, gender equality, young people and media.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“We should not forget that each culture and civilization flourishes through the inspiration provided by the successes of other cultures and civilizations. As a matter of fact, our common values today, as well as our science, law and art, have been influenced not only by the ancient Greek and Roman civilizations, but also by ancient Eastern civilizations. From Al-Khwarizmi, the father of algebra, to Al-Farabi, who laid the foundations of music; from Ibn Sina, who ushered in a new era in medicine, to Sinan the architect, who produced the finest engineering examples of his time, many Turkish and Islamic scholars, men of learning and artists have made significant contributions to the progress of humankind.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“Turkey continues to participate actively in peacekeeping operations around the world under the umbrella of the United Nations, NATO, the European Union and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. We also strongly support least developed and developing countries in their struggle to resolve development problems. In addition, as a party to the Kyoto Protocol, Turkey is ready to live up to its responsibilities with respect to a vital issue that concerns the future of our world. We support the determined efforts being made 35 09-52320 by the Secretary-General in the process of devising a new climate change regime. I should also like to draw the Assembly’s attention to another very important issue that poses a threat to our world.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“A fair and lasting solution in Cyprus will make a major contribution to the transformation of the eastern Mediterranean into a zone of peace, stability and cooperation. I call upon everyone to do their utmost to help achieve that goal. In the meantime, the Turkish Cypriot side is still subject to unfair measures of isolation, despite the fact that in 2004 it accepted all the sacrifices that the Annan plan entailed. It is not fair to expect the Turkish side to pay the price for a lack of a solution. The lifting of such restrictions on Turkish Cypriots will not only remove an unjust practice, but also accelerate the process of resolution.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“However, at this juncture, I would also like to stress that, if a solution cannot be found due to Greek Cypriot intransigence, as was the case in 2004, the normalization of the status of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus will become a necessity that can no longer be delayed. It is therefore essential to realize that negotiations cannot be sustained ad infinitum, that the current window of opportunity cannot remain open forever, and that efforts must be deployed to ensure the success of the process. I would also like to take this opportunity to emphasize once again that a comprehensive solution to be achieved on the basis of established United Nations parameters, which will secure the founding of a new partnership in Cyprus, will enjoy the open support of Turkey as a guarantor Power.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“We believe that the integration of the countries of the region into Euro-Atlantic institutions is important. That perspective should be maintained. Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus support efforts to find a comprehensive solution on the island. The basis upon which such a solution should be built is right here under the roof of the United Nations. If all the parties to the current negotiations were to act constructively, it would be possible to reach a comprehensive solution by the end of 2009. We believe that the Secretary-General should, as he did in 2004, play a role in bridging the differences on which the parties themselves cannot agree. It should be our common objective to submit the solution to be reached to a referendum in the spring of 2010, at the latest.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“We are maintaining our infrastructure investments in order to help those two countries achieve the prosperity they deserve. The ministerial-level meeting of friends of a democratic Pakistan that we convened in Istanbul in late August is an indication of the importance we attach to Pakistan’s stability and prosperity. I would like to take this opportunity to announce that, in addition to becoming the lead country on Afghanistan in the Security Council in 2010, we shall also assume the chairmanship of the Council’s Counter-Terrorism Committee. Our strong support for efforts to achieve security and stability in Afghanistan and to combat terrorism will continue unabated during the course of our performance of those duties on the Council. The Balkans is another region that we follow closely.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“We also believe that the dispute over our neighbour Iran’s nuclear programme, which has long preoccupied the international community, should be resolved through dialogue. Turkey defends the right of all countries to benefit from the peaceful use of nuclear energy. On the other hand, we also call on all countries to act responsibly and to bear in mind the serious consequences of the proliferation of nuclear weapons for the whole world. In that spirit, we supported the adoption of Security Council resolution 1874 (2009), on North Korea’s nuclear test last May. We also closely follow the situation in Afghanistan and developments in Pakistan. We support the struggle against extremism by the peoples of Afghanistan and Pakistan, with whom we enjoy historical and brotherly ties.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“We hope that the peace process will be revitalized as quickly as possible. To date, Turkey has made every possible effort to contribute to the peace process in the Middle East. The indirect negotiations between Syria and Israel, which we hosted in 2008, are a case in point. Depending on the mutual desire of both parties, we are ready to resume our active role in the future. 09-52320 34 We have always said that our neighbouring country Syria is a very important country in our region and is in a position to play a key role in the search for regional peace, security and stability. Lebanon, too, is of critical importance to regional stability. Turkey has expended intensive efforts to ensure that a comprehensive political compromise prevails in Lebanon. We will continue to strongly support Lebanon’s stability in the future.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“On every possible occasion, Turkey has stressed that it is not possible to turn a blind eye to the appalling conditions in Gaza, and we will continue to make that point. It is our common humanitarian and moral responsibility to ensure that the tragedy unfolding in Gaza is brought to an end and that an atmosphere of lasting peace is created in the region. It is extremely important that the international community remain engaged in this matter and inject new vigour and momentum into efforts to resolve the problem. We call on all parties concerned not to remain indifferent to this question and not to condone further suffering. We also believe that the resumption of the Israeli- Palestinian talks, which have been disrupted by the Gaza conflict, is of the utmost importance.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“Currently, the importation of construction materials to Gaza is not permitted; only food and medication are allowed to pass through, and the suffering of the people of Gaza continues. We demand that these obstacles be immediately lifted and normalcy restored to Gaza for the sake of the peace and security of Israelis and Palestinians alike. The Palestinian question cannot be resolved solely by satisfying the demands of one party alone. The security of the Palestinians is as important as the security of Israel. The Palestinian people’s quest for freedom and peace is as legitimate as Israel’s quest for stability. The settlement of the Palestinian question, which is one of the greatest obstacles to regional and global peace, will be possible only when everyone is treated fairly and equitably.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“Similarly, six months have elapsed since the Sharm el-Sheikh conference, at which the international community pledged billions of dollars for the reconstruction of Gaza. However, I regret to say that the human tragedy in Gaza continues. People are living in tents and cannot find drinking water. In the face of this situation, are we fulfilling our humanitarian responsibility? What can the United Nations or the Security Council do? What measures have the United Nations and the Security Council really enacted? We really must think about that because the promises made in Gaza have not been fulfilled. As at the time of aggression, Gaza has once again been left to its own devices in the aftermath of the heavy destruction it suffered.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“I wish to draw the Assembly’s attention to the following facts. The aggression against Gaza carried out at the end of 2008 quickly turned into a human tragedy and resulted in the deaths of nearly 1,400 people, most of whom were women and children, as the result of phosphate bombs. Over 5,000 people were injured and the infrastructure of Gaza was completely destroyed. Even United Nations buildings in Gaza did not escape this destruction. Secretary- General Ban Ki-moon personally witnessed the devastation and voiced his reaction. The 575-page United Nations report on Gaza (A/HRC/12/48), released on 15 September 2009, clearly confirms this fact. It has been eight months since the declaration of the ceasefires that ended the hostilities in Gaza and the adoption of resolution 1860 (2009).”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“In this connection, I also wish to emphasize the significance of the strategic dialogue mechanism set up between Turkey and Iraq, which is important in terms of both the fight against terrorism and other aspects of our bilateral relations. We are fully committed to maintaining and further developing this process. Another area to which Turkey is sensitive is the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. In our view, the resolution of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, based on the vision of two States existing side by side in peace and security, is an indispensable element of regional and global peace. The achievement of Palestinian national unity will expedite the establishment of an independent Palestinian State. Turkey has always stood by the Palestinian people and will continue to do so.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“In this regard, we hope that our regional partners will share Turkey’s vision for region-wide peace, security and stability. We believe that the Caucasus Stability and Cooperation Platform, which we launched in the aftermath of the crisis of August 2008, can make a substantial contribution to efforts in that direction. 33 09-52320 Another issue of great interest to us and the world is Iraq’s territorial integrity, political unity and internal peace. We attach great importance to the continuation of the political dialogue process encompassing all groups in Iraq and the establishment of national unity. A clear manifestation of this importance is the neighbouring countries process regarding Iraq, which was initiated by Turkey.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“Therefore, our constructive and peaceful regional policies serve not only our own neighbourhood but also world peace. However, we do not consider those efforts to be sufficient. We seek to move from a relationship of passive good- neighbourliness to one of active friendship and cooperation. The positive impact of this approach on regional and world peace is well appreciated by all our friends in the East and the West. Another concrete example of this approach is our ongoing dialogue with our neighbour, Greece. Another case in point is our quest to normalize our relations with Armenia, which has gained fresh momentum of late and begun to bear fruit. We also believe that the conflicts and disputes in the Caucasus, including but not limited to the problems between Armenia and Azerbaijan, are issues that need to be resolved.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“In this context, we want the views and expectations of the United Nations troop- contributing countries, in particular, on such issues as early and effective coordination, capacity-building and enhanced cooperation with regional organizations to be taken into full account. Turkey continues to be a force for peace and stability in its region. Especially in the course of the past seven years, we have made every effort to settle our problems with our neighbours. Thanks to this approach, which we call a zero-problem policy with our neighbours, Turkey has made significant progress in solving outstanding issues with its neighbours and has greatly improved its bilateral relations. The problems of our region have global implications as well.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“The United Nations must become a much more effective institution on such matters as climate change, sustainable development, the struggle against poverty, gender equality and the protection of human rights and dignity, and we fully support reform efforts to that end. However, there is no doubt that the reform of the United Nations system will be incomplete if not accompanied by Security Council reform. I would like to underscore once again that Turkey is in favour of enlarging the non-permanent membership of the Security Council. Another important aspect of reform that I wish to underline is the need to improve the United Nations peacekeeping system.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“Against that backdrop, the relevance and indispensability of the United Nations has become even more evident. In order to establish a fair and participatory global order, we must work together to enhance the Organization’s efficiency. We certainly do not despair. We maintain our hope that the achievement of global peace and stability is within our grasp. We therefore wish to see the United Nations serve as the voice and spokesperson of the global public conscience. We believe that a more representative, democratic, transparent, just and effective United Nations will be able to make a greater contribution to global peace and stability.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“We can indeed make the twenty-first century an era ruled by peace instead of war; trust instead of fear; justice instead of injustice; tranquillity instead of terror and violence; and prosperity instead of hunger and poverty. It is our common responsibility and historic duty to participate in the construction of such a world, regardless of our differences of language, religion or nationality. Threats such as terrorism and the proliferation of nuclear weapons have become sources of worldwide concern. Problems such as hunger and poverty, the increased frequency of pandemics, food and energy security, growing xenophobia and radicalism remain grave challenges. In addition, global warming and the financial crisis are fundamental issues that demand substantial solutions.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“09-52320 32 The global problems of our age necessitate solutions on a global scale, and we therefore need to work in a determined fashion. From wars to economic crises, from hunger and poverty to terrorism, from energy security to climate change, the problems of our world are extremely challenging. However, none of them is insurmountable. If we are to resolve these problems, we need a fair and inclusive global order that is based on trust and regards diversity as a source of wealth. It is possible to make the transition from a conception of the world based on risk and perceptions of threats to one that is based on trust and solidarity. Indeed, this has become a necessity for all of us. To do so, however, we need a new kind of leadership.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“It is a great pleasure for me to address and greet the General Assembly once again from this rostrum in my capacity as Prime Minister of Turkey on the occasion of the general debate of the Assembly’s sixty-fourth session. I would like to congratulate Mr. Ali Abdussalam Treki on his election as President of the General Assembly at its sixty-fourth session. I also wish to express my appreciation and thanks to Mr. D’Escoto Brockmann for his able and prudent conduct of the presidency of the Assembly at its sixty-third session. I take this opportunity also to thank all the Member States for the high degree of trust and approval shown to my country in electing it last year as a non-permanent member of the Security Council by a wide margin of support.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“The Turkish side overwhelmingly voted in favour of the Secretary-General's plan, whose impartiality cannot in any way be called into question. The Greek Cypriots, however, were misled by their leadership to reject the plan. Despite the constructive attitude displayed by the Turkish side since then, no progress has been achieved towards a settlement owing to the intransigence of the Greek Cypriot side. It is our hope that the Annan report, which has not been endorsed yet by the Security Council, will be endorsed soon.”
2007-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 62 (2007)
“Turkey strongly supports the United Nations and the United Nations-led efforts to intensify international cooperation aimed at preventing their proliferation. Finally, Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus have been supporting the efforts to find a comprehensive settlement to the Cyprus problem under the good-offices mission of the United Nations Secretary-General on the basis of well established United Nations parameters. The United Nations remains the sole forum for a solution. It should be recalled that the comprehensive settlement plan of the former United Nations Secretary-General emerged in 2004 as a result of extensive negotiations between the parties and was submitted to a simultaneous referendum on both sides of the island.”
2007-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 62 (2007)
“An act of terror committed in any part of the world in essence targets us all, as it constitutes a heinous crime against humanity. We condemn in the strongest terms this scourge that recognizes no national boundaries. As the Prime Minister of a nation that has experienced first-hand the bitter consequences of terrorism, I renew from this rostrum my appeal to the international community for an enhanced collective commitment and cooperation in the combat against this threat to humanity. Considering the sophisticated new technologies terrorist elements are utilizing today, effective international cooperation to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction takes on a whole new meaning and urgency.”
2007-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 62 (2007)
“Our commitment to peace and development in Africa also finds expression in our development assistance to the continent coordinated through the branch offices of the Turkish International Cooperation and Development Agency, which have been established since 2005 in Ethiopia, Sudan and Senegal. The Turkey-Africa Cooperation Summit, which we will host in 2008, and our participation in seven different United Nations and European Union peacekeeping missions in Africa are other concrete examples to this effect. Turkey also seeks to diversify and expand its network of political and commercial cooperation with the countries of South Asia, the Far East and the Pacific region, as well as Latin American countries and the Caribbean. Terrorism continues to threaten the security of all free nations.”
2007-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 62 (2007)
“The development aid provided by Turkey through official and private sources reached 1.7 billion dollars last year. We intend to continue our contributions to the relevant United Nations funds, as well as assistance at the bilateral level. The Ministerial Conference of the Least Developed Countries hosted by Turkey in Istanbul in July this summer is another concrete expression of our resolve to assist the developing countries and enable them to take full advantage of the benefits of globalization. We are already taking steps to follow up on the outcome of this conference.”
2007-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 62 (2007)
“The most conclusive outcome of this meeting was that we must all assume our fair share of responsibility in effective international cooperation to find solutions to global warming and climate change, which pose, as never before, a grave threat to humankind’s survival. Another grim reality in this context is that the developing world, bearing the least responsibility for climate change, will be the most adversely affected by its consequences. It is therefore incumbent on us all to assist, to the best of our ability, the developing countries in overcoming the many overwhelming challenges that they confront. To this end, Turkey is rapidly becoming a donor country with the significant development, technical and humanitarian assistance it has been providing in recent years.”
2007-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 62 (2007)
“In this connection Turkey is also favourably considering participation in the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur, established in accordance with Security Council resolution 1769 (2007), whose adoption we highly welcomed. To the extent that we can stop and prevent the recurrence of conflicts that exhaust our energy and resources, we will be better able to focus on global problems that will define the common fate of humankind. At the top of these problems is the issue of climate change, which you, Mr. President, have in a very timely manner designated as the main theme of the General Assembly this year. We discussed this issue requiring urgent collective action in all its aspects during the high-level meeting that I also had the opportunity to attend earlier this week.”
2007-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 62 (2007)
“At this juncture where uncertainty regarding the final status of Kosovo persists, we continue to maintain our view that we must mobilize all efforts to find a just and sustainable solution to this question. Turkey has currently assumed the command of the Kosovo Force Multinational Task Force South in the region. Turkey performs noble duties from the perspective of peacekeeping in almost all the regions cited above. Through its participation in various peacekeeping operations conducted under the banner of the United Nations, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, the European Union and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, Turkey has proven its capacity to significantly contribute to the maintenance of international peace and security.”
2007-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 62 (2007)
“On the other hand, frozen conflicts pending a resolution continue to jeopardize regional peace and stability in the South Caucasus. Solutions to be found through peaceful means to existing frozen conflicts should be based on the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Azerbaijan and Georgia. In order to realize our vision of peace, stability and economic prosperity for the region, we not only seek to contribute to the resolution of these frozen conflicts, but at the same time continue to invest in the infrastructure of regional cooperation through significant energy and transportation projects, such as the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan and Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum oil and natural gas pipelines and the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railroad.”
2007-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 62 (2007)
“Our commitment to the security of the country by assuming the command of the International Security Assistance Force twice since its inception and currently of the Regional Command in Kabul, together with our contributions to the reconstruction effort through significant infrastructure projects, are the concrete expression of the challenging mission we have undertaken in Afghanistan. The activities of the Turkish Provincial Reconstruction Team in the province of Wardak, carrying out its functions under dangerous security conditions, are also part of this effort. Moreover, the process of tripartite summits that we have initiated, with the participation of Afghanistan and Pakistan, in the desire to enhance peace and stability in the region is helping to restore confidence between these two neighbouring countries.”
2007-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 62 (2007)
“We stand ready to support in every way possible the parties in the efforts to revive the peace process and to contribute to the prospective international meetings to be convened for this purpose. We hope to see the ongoing political crisis in Lebanon promptly overcome through dialogue among the different factions. We will continue our intense efforts, including our contributions to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, to assist in restoring stability in that country. We will also continue to invest in the democratic, free and prosperous future of the friendly people of Afghanistan.”
2007-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 62 (2007)
“The next ministerial meeting of the expanded group of neighbouring countries will be hosted by Turkey at the beginning of November this year. Another major source of instability in our region is the Middle East problem. We regard the question of Palestine, with wide repercussions both in and beyond the region, as the crux of all ills in the Middle East. The political rift within Palestine has further complicated the situation. Therefore, a lasting political solution to the question of Palestine and peace with Israel on the basis of a two-State solution will have important implications for regional as well as global stability. We believe that a negotiated settlement to this long-standing dispute will also reflect positively on the resolution of other problems in the region.”
2007-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 62 (2007)
“Likewise, ensuring a dignified place within the international community for a territorially intact, nationally unified and democratic Iraq at peace with itself and with its neighbours is at the top of our priorities for restoring stability in our region. In line with our desire to realize this common vision, we continue to diversify our cooperation with the Iraqi Government and support the process of political dialogue and national reconciliation in this country. The group of neighbouring countries of Iraq, created upon Turkey’s initiative and later expanded at the meeting held in Sharm el-Sheikh to include the permanent five members of the Security Council and the Group of Eight, is similarly intended to serve such a purpose.”
2007-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 62 (2007)
“In doing so, we seek to utilize the many possibilities offered by our strategic position, our accumulated knowledge of and insight into the region, our cultural and historical ties and our vast experience in peacekeeping. Our highest priority is to restore stability in our region. In that connection, Turkey will resolutely pursue its efforts to serve as an important factor for peace and stability and to promote multidimensional relations with all its neighbours. The encouraging level we have achieved in our relations with Greece today as a result of the process of rapprochement that we have been pursuing for nearly 10 years is the tangible outcome of that resolve.”
2007-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 62 (2007)
“Jorge Sampaio, and with the support that I am confident the international community will not deny this initiative. The meeting held at the United Nations with the Alliance Group of Friends earlier this week served to renew our hope and confidence in the promising future of the initiative. The vast majority of international problems of high priority on the agenda of the United Nations are taking place in our immediate surroundings, the scene of major tension and transformation. We are exerting every effort to constructively contribute to the resolution of all these disputes which directly impact Turkey, although we are not party to any of them.”
2007-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 62 (2007)
“I genuinely believe that with the valuable support of its fellow Member States, Turkey, with its European and Asian identity, can assume a distinctive and constructive role in harmonizing and reconciling differing views within the Security Council, just as it does in its efforts to facilitate harmony among cultures. We have reached an important stage in the implementation phase of the Alliance of Civilizations initiative under the auspices of the Secretary-General; we are co-sponsoring this initiative together with Spain. We are determined to make our vision of global harmony become a reality through the implementation of concrete projects under the strong leadership of the High Representative, the former President of Portugal, Mr.”
2007-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 62 (2007)
“We must bear in mind that reforming the Security Council in a way that would command the widest possible consensus would also reflect positively on the legitimacy, credibility and effectiveness of the United Nations itself. I wish on this occasion also to confirm Turkey’s candidature for a seat on the Security Council at the elections to be held next year. My country, which is committed to the ideals enshrined in the Charter and which constructively contributes to the maintenance of global peace at a strategic crossroads where different continents and cultures meet, has not been represented on the Council for almost half a century.”
2007-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 62 (2007)
“The United Nations, created precisely for that mission, is the only international forum that can possibly, with our collective resolve, lead us to those objectives. The United Nations is also the source of international legitimacy for our actions to those ends. But, it is incumbent on us, the Member States, to make the Organization stronger and more effective and to furnish it with the means and structures it needs to tackle competently the many challenges of our century. Here, I believe we need to be more resolute and bold in our actions while adopting more forthcoming and creative approaches. Although significant structural reforms have been realized, the process is far from completed. The reform process must continue, and structural and functional adjustments should be made to respond to needs that may arise.”
2007-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 62 (2007)
“It gives me great pleasure once again to address this body where we unite our goals and labours for a better and brighter future. I wish to wholeheartedly congratulate you, Sir our good friend the former Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Macedonia, Mr. Srgjan Kerim on your election to preside over this global forum. I would also like on this occasion to pay tribute to the Secretary-General, Mr. Ban Ki-moon, and to wish him success in his current position. Our world today needs, more than ever before, effective cooperation to find common solutions to our global problems, to replace desperation with hope, poverty with prosperity, injustice with justice and violence with peace around the world.”
2007-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 62 (2007)