Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reiterated Ankara’s positions on the Aegean, Eastern Mediterranean and Cyprus during his address to the 81st UN General Assembly in New York. He called for disputes in the region to be addressed through dialogue, good-neighbourly relations and international law, while again calling for international recognition of the Turkish Cypriot administration.
Erdogan calls for East Mediterranean conference
In his speech, the Turkish president said existing issues in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean should be resolved on the basis of good-neighbourly relations and international law.
He also referred to Ankara’s proposal for an Eastern Mediterranean conference, saying it could help create common ground between the countries involved.
Call for recognition of Turkish Cypriots
Erdogan repeated his call for the “sovereign equality” and “equal international status” of Turkish Cypriots to be recognised.
He also called on the international community to recognise the “Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus” and establish political, diplomatic and economic relations with it.
The call reflects Ankara’s long-standing position on the Cyprus problem. The Republic of Cyprus and Greece support a settlement based on a bizonal, bicommunal federation in line with relevant UN Security Council resolutions, while Turkey supports a two-state approach based on the recognition of Turkish Cypriot sovereign equality.
Turkey and Europe’s security architecture
Erdogan also presented Turkey as a regional security actor, highlighting its defence industry and economic resilience.
He argued that excluding Turkey from Europe’s security architecture would not make Europe stronger or safer and said Ankara expected a corresponding strategic approach from the European Union.
Gaza and Palestinian statehood
A significant part of the address focused on Palestine and Gaza.
Erdogan criticised the absence of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas from the General Assembly and called for greater international pressure on Israel.
He reiterated Turkey’s support for an independent Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, and called for the reconstruction of Gaza.
Regional conflicts and UN reform
The Turkish president also addressed the conflict in the Gulf, warning against its expansion into surrounding areas.
He referred to attacks on commercial vessels in the Black Sea and said Turkey continued to support efforts to address regional conflicts through regional cooperation.
Erdogan again called for reform of the UN Security Council, arguing that global decision-making should not depend on five countries.
Turkey’s regional partnerships
Erdogan highlighted Turkey’s cooperation with Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, describing regional cooperation as a way of addressing problems through regional mechanisms.
He also announced that the fourth Turkey-Africa Summit would be held in Libya in December.
‘We will not remain silent’
Concluding his speech, Erdogan said Turkey would continue to speak out on behalf of what he described as oppressed and disadvantaged people.
He presented international cooperation, justice and solidarity as an alternative to conflict and isolation.
The 81st UN General Assembly general debate opened on September 22 and will continue through September 28.
Also read: Erdogan tells UK PM Turkish Cypriots must have “sovereign equality”
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