(MENAFN- AzerNews) Turkiye is a regional stabilizing power that has done its part
to ensure peace and stability, particularly during the
Russia-Ukraine war, according to the country's communications
director.
According to Azernews, speaking at a conference titled "War in
Ukraine: Regional and Humanitarian Consequences" in Ankara,
Turkiye's capital, Presidency's Director of Communications
Fahrettin Altun said the COVID-19 pandemic, regional political and
economic tensions, and hot conflicts have shattered the global
balance, and the Turkish government is working to resolve the
crises.
"The constructive and stabilizing role Turkiye has been playing
for the past two decades with regards to the region and globe had
to be acknowledged in the last few months, even by those denying
it," Altun said, adding that the country's efforts for regional
security and crisis resolution have somehow been overlooked by some
circles.
Arguing that Turkiye's is in one of the world's most difficult
geographical locations, with many of its neighbors by sea or land
experiencing major problems such as war and civil uprisings over
the past 20 years, he said hundreds of thousands have been killed
and millions have been displaced right before the eyes of the
international community.
According to Altun, the crisis has transformed Ankara into the
region's most experienced actor in the field of diplomacy. No other
leader has taken as much initiative for peace as President Recep
Tayyip Erdogan, and Turkiye's efforts to mediate between Ukraine
and Russia are not a coincidence, he added.
"The active role we have played in such crises for years paved
the way for negotiations in Antalya and Istanbul amid the war in
Ukraine," he said, adding that the fact that they have transformed
into an actor in whom both sides have faith is a result of the
crisis position they have maintained for years.
The developments in war-ravaged Ukraine indicate that such
crises do not have a military solution, he said, noting that
Turkiye has called for and is striving to achieve a cease-fire and
the restoration of peace as soon as possible.
"We, as Turkiye, believe that there are means to end the crisis
if contact, dialogue and negotiations are held in an efficient
manner," he said, underlining that Ankara will tirelessly maintain
its diplomatic efforts to bring an end to the deadly war.
The war between Moscow and Kyiv also highlighted another
argument Turkiye has voiced many times, including the weakness of
the international organizations, according to Altun. He noted that
none of them played a key role in the conflicts revolving around
Syria, Libya, or any other country.
Given that the US can be paralyzed by the veto rights of the
permanent members of the UN Security Council, he believes that
international organizations, such as the UN, should be restructured
so that they can function effectively.
At least 1,932 civilians have been killed and 2,589 injured in
Ukraine since Russia declared war on its neighbor on Feb. 24,
according to UN estimates, with the true figure feared to be much
higher.
More than 4.6 million Ukrainians have fled to other countries,
with over 7 million more internally displaced, the UN refugee
agency has said.
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