I wish to begin by warmly
congratulating the President of the General Assembly.
Although the empowerment of women has long been a
United Nations priority, it has been nearly 40 years
since a woman last held the Assembly presidency.
Thus, we are encouraged by her election. I wish her
every success.
I also want to express my appreciation to the
President of the General Assembly at its sixtieth
session, His Excellency Mr. Jan Eliasson. The World
Summit Outcome (resolution 60/1), which addresses
the challenges of our time, was the joint product of our
work and his tireless efforts. His sound guidance
enabled us to move forward on the pressing issues
related to reform. The Peacebuilding Commission, the
Human Rights Council and the Global Counter-
Terrorism Strategy are the hallmarks of those efforts.
In addition, it is my distinct pleasure to pay a
heartfelt tribute to our Secretary-General, Mr. Kofi
Annan. His name will continue to inspire us whenever
we think of his dedication to global peace and stability
and his tireless reform efforts.
The hostilities and the outright destruction in
Lebanon tested the faith placed in the United Nations.
In the end, the resolve of Member States was
manifested. From the very beginning, Turkey was
engaged in active diplomacy and took its place at the
forefront of the international efforts to end the
bloodshed. At the same time, we remained in close
contact with all the parties to the conflict. Throughout,
we provided humanitarian aid to the people of Lebanon
and assisted in the rapid evacuation of some 10,000
foreign nationals.
We supported the adoption of Security Council
resolution 1701 (2006). It is a major step forward. Yet,
given the many challenges that remain, it is only a first
step towards bringing peace and stability to the region.
We have decided to contribute to the implementation of
the resolution, which is aimed at restoring the political
sovereignty of the Lebanese Government.
Indeed, we must try to seize the opportunity
represented by resolution 1701 (2006). We hope that its
spirit will be translated into a broader political
perspective for the entire region. The tragic events in
Lebanon should have reconfirmed that unilateralism is
not the answer and that the use of force is not the
solution. Similarly, they revealed for all to see that the
question of Palestine continues to lie at the core of the
problems in the Middle East.
This issue is not simply a conflict between two
countries. It is a problem for which everyone pays a
heavy price — a problem that has huge ripple effects
on a global scale. Indeed, the continuation of this
problem is used to justify extremism around the world.
Therefore, progress made towards a lasting peace in
the Middle East would have a positive impact on many
other problems.
We note that everyone has drawn lessons from
what took place in Lebanon. Now, in the aftermath of
that tragedy, there is a different climate, conducive to a
renewed peace initiative. Now is the time to revive
efforts to put the Middle East peace process back on
track. We make a heartfelt appeal to all the parties and
to the international community not to let this
opportunity pass by. What we need now is strong and
determined leadership that will resolutely follow the
path towards peace.
Let us not forget that the growing sense of
injustice associated with the Middle East problem
deepens the rift in terms of cultural perceptions. We
cannot permit events in the region to undermine the
prospects of the cross-cultural harmony that we are
working so hard to achieve. We believe that better
understanding among cultures is indispensable for
global harmony. That is precisely why the Prime
Ministers of Turkey and Spain co-sponsored the
Alliance of Civilizations initiative, launched by the
Secretary-General. The objective is to emphasize the
elements that unite various societies around our
common humanity.
The High-level Group for the Alliance of
Civilizations will soon submit a comprehensive report
to the Secretary-General setting out concrete and
practical measures to improve intercultural dialogue.
That is obviously what the world needs now.
Therefore, we hope that the initiative will receive
strong and sincere support from Member States.
Indeed, regardless of where we come from —
whether it be the East or the West — whatever faith we
profess and whatever tradition we represent, we must
all act responsibly. In today’s world, in which
information travels at the speed of light, we must all
refrain from acts and statements that can be
misconstrued and can strengthen the hand of
extremists. Likewise, our reactions must demonstrate
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such a sense of responsibility. Thus, we call upon
everyone to act with common sense and to keep
humanity’s best interests at heart.
As we focus on the Middle East, we must not lose
sight of Iraq. It is equally urgent that we build a
democratic and prosperous Iraq that is whole and free
from ethnic and sectarian violence. I should like to
recall that a staggering number of people have lost
their lives as a result of violence. We must all help the
Iraqis to achieve a national consensus and to resolve
their differences through dialogue and democratic
processes. First and foremost, the Iraqis themselves
must work towards that end.
Throughout the past year, terrorism has continued
to claim innocent lives. There is a growing realization
that no degree of leniency can be extended to those
who commit acts of terror. There is no room for double
standards, and we can make no distinction between
terrorists. At the same time, we must keep in mind that
terrorism, an age-old method of coercion, has no deep
links to any culture or religion. We should also be
cautious not to associate any faith with terrorism.
By voting in favour of the proposed United
Nations comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus
problem in the April 2004 referendum, Turkish
Cypriots responded positively to the expectations of
the international community. Notwithstanding the
intensive and sincere efforts of the Secretary-General,
the Greek Cypriot side rejected that plan. Despite that
rejection, the Turkish side remains committed to a just,
peaceful and comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus
question, based on the well-established parameters
determined through the good offices mission of the
Secretary-General. Turkey and the Turkish Republic of
Northern Cyprus continue to support strongly the
Secretary-General’s mission. Indeed, the United
Nations is the only sound platform that can help deliver
lasting peace, cooperation and prosperity to all
inhabitants of the island of Cyprus. The Turkish side
still maintains the hope that the Greek Cypriot leaders
will support the vision of a new partnership based on
political equality with their Turkish Cypriot
counterparts. The Turkish Cypriots have already given
their support to the 8 July agreement and their consent
to the United Nations suggestions for implementing
that agreement in due course. There should be full-
fledged negotiations on substantive issues between the
two leaders of the island. Our proposal of 24 January
2006 for the simultaneous lifting of all restrictions
related to the island remains on the table. In this day
and age, living under unjustly imposed restrictions
defies all reason. It is time for the Turkish Cypriots to
integrate into the global economy. We appeal to the
international community to heed the call of the
Secretary-General to end the current isolation of the
Turkish Cypriots, which has no legal or moral basis.
Turkey is close to the centre of most of the issues
of concern to the international community, which
naturally figure prominently on my country’s foreign
policy agenda. Our objective is to establish conditions
for a lasting peace and enhance cooperation for
integration in the greater region. In this context, our
relations with our neighbours continue to diversify. We
believe that our good-neighbourly relations with
Greece will enhance cooperation, stability and
prosperity in the Balkans and the Eastern
Mediterranean.
In a similar vein, we have prepared several
regional initiatives. We take part in peacekeeping and
police missions around the world. These greater
objectives help explain our active diplomacy, primarily
in regions such as the Balkans, the Middle East and the
Caucasus surrounding Turkey. In all such instances, we
work to avert outright conflict and consolidate stability.
We try to put out the fires of discord and cultivate
reconciliation. We are committed to political processes
and diplomatic solutions and are in the forefront of
post-conflict rehabilitation, reconstruction and
assistance.
The Balkans are passing through a profound
transformation. In order not to relive the pain and
suffering of the 1990s, we must vigilantly keep watch
over peace. We must promote the building of viable
State structures in Bosnia and Herzegovina. We must
also promote a peaceful transition in Kosovo. We
welcome Montenegro as a new Member of the United
Nations.
Frozen conflicts in the Caucasus also demand our
urgent attention. Resolution of the Nagorny Karabakh
conflict on the basis of Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity
is of vital importance for peace and prosperity in the
region. We would like to see this region become an
area of prosperity based on cooperation.
We will continue to support the political process
and reconstruction effort in Afghanistan. In addition to
our strong presence in the International Security
Assistance Force, Turkey is establishing a provincial
9 06-53323
reconstruction team in the Vardak province of
Afghanistan. Turkey will continue to be active in the
areas of health, education and development in
Afghanistan.
On the Kashmir question, we continue to
encourage the parties involved to work for a just and
lasting solution to the problem through dialogue.
We advocate reform at a time when transparency,
the rule of law, gender equality, good governance and
similar common values can no longer be denied to
peoples, especially in an age of globalized
communications.
Turkey’s efforts are not, of course, confined to its
immediate vicinity. Having consolidated our place
among the largest economies of the world, we want to
enrich and improve our relations with more distant
regions. Our aim is to strengthen bilateral ties with
Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, East Asia and
the Pacific. We are actively engaged in efforts to
resolve the problems of the African continent, having
established local offices of the Turkish International
Cooperation Agency in Addis Ababa and Khartoum to
help coordinate this larger effort across the African
continent. More branches will follow. Turkey has been
recognized by the World Food Programme as a major
donor of food to Africa. Turkey is also contributing to
five United Nations and two European Union missions
in Africa.
The fate of Africa is our common destiny, and we
cannot remain indifferent to that continent’s acute
problems. We must not let down Africa. We appeal to
the more fortunate to help that continent achieve its
true potential.
After reviewing our activities within the United
Nations, we have selected a number of areas as a
priority in our work. These are issues related to
development, peacekeeping operations, the
strengthening of peacebuilding activities, humanitarian
and relief operations, combating terrorism in all its
forms and enhancing global energy security through
the creation of safe transportation routes.
Turkey firmly believes in the need for
international cooperation to achieve environmentally
friendly and socially sustainable development. We
must better cater to the needs of the developing
countries, particularly in the field of poverty reduction,
eliminating infectious diseases, reducing infant
mortality and improving maternal health. If we fail to
create equal opportunities for women and provide
education for children, none of the above will ever be
achieved.
I am pleased to say that Turkey is becoming a
major donor country. Last year, Turkish official
development assistance reached US$ 600 million. This
figure does not reflect the contribution of the Turkish
private sector, which contributes an almost equivalent
amount. In this regard, we will further increase our
contributions to the United Nations funds and
programmes that serve the least developed countries,
landlocked developing countries and small island
developing States.
The President returned to the Chair.
Over the past two years, we have been
campaigning for a seat on the Security Council for the
term 2009-2010. Turkey has not served on the Council
since 1961. This is an anomaly. We believe that, in the
spirit of equitable rotation, our turn to be represented is
long overdue. Turkey’s membership will enrich the
work of the Security Council in a singularly important
manner. We will bring our unique attributes to bear on
the work of the Council. Our membership will bring
new insights and perspectives at a time when we see
the United Nations becoming increasingly relevant in
fulfilling the rightful hopes of humanity.