Turkish President: Turkey Strives to Pave the Way for Peace Through Diplomacy
The Turkish President reaffirmed his country's efforts to pave the way for peace by leveraging its mediation expertise and prisoner exchanges.
Translated by Qiyas from كونا — Original source
Istanbul, October 23 (KUNA) -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Friday that his country is striving to pave the way for peace, drawing on its experience in prisoner exchange operations between Russia and Ukraine and its mediation efforts in Africa. This was stated in a video message addressed by President Erdogan to the 9th Istanbul Conference on Mediation, in which he said that the Turkish city, which has united peoples and cultures over the centuries, has today become one of the world’s diplomacy hubs.
He pointed out that the United Nations General Assembly is holding its sessions this year under the theme “Rebuilding Trust,” emphasizing that “a system in which the will of more than 190 countries is subject to the whims of five countries is neither just nor capable of establishing full trust.” For years, the Turkish president has called for reform of the UN Security Council, where five countries—the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Russia, and China—hold permanent membership and veto power.
He noted, “Today, millions of people in Palestine, Lebanon, Sudan, and other crisis areas, who had pinned their hopes on the United Nations, feel deep disappointment.” He added, “In Turkey, we have made it a principle not to abandon diplomacy, even in times when parties are not speaking to each other and hopes are fading.”
The Turkish president continued, “We believe that there is always a door for diplomacy, even in the most complex disputes. What matters is demonstrating the will, courage, and sincerity necessary to keep that door open.” He added, “From the prisoner exchanges between Russia and Ukraine to the mediation efforts we are undertaking in Africa, we are today striving to pave the way for peace through the achievements we have made across a wide geographical area.”
In this context, he noted that the world is going through a phase marked by increasing conflicts and tensions, during which trust in international law and institutions is being undermined. He affirmed Turkey’s determination to continue bringing parties together to achieve peace, play a mediation role to reach just solutions, and shoulder responsibility.
Istanbul is hosting the 9th Istanbul Conference on Mediation today and tomorrow, Saturday, under the patronage of Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, with the participation of experts, diplomats, and academics from several countries. The conference is held under the theme “Partnerships for Peace and New Perspectives: Mediation in a Changing World,” with the participation of ministers, secretaries-general, and high-level representatives of international organizations, including the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).
The conference brings together approximately 200 high-level officials, experts, diplomats, academics, and representatives of think tanks from various countries who have made significant contributions to mediation and conflict resolution. (End) T.A. / A.B. K.H.
