I also simply wish to announce the withdrawal of three of the four Turkish candidates, namely, Mr. Aykut Kiliç, Ms. Ayla Songor and Mr. Cenk Alp Durak. The remaining Turkish candidate for the seat yet to be filled is therefore Mr. Aydin Sefa Akay.
I am afraid that this intervention cannot really be classified as a statement in exercise of the right of reply in the classic employment of the term, but I just wish to state that I understand that the representative of Israel, when talking about empires, was indeed referring to the Roman empire an…
Like previous speakers, I would like to begin by welcoming the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Mr. Hans Haekkerup. We thank him for his eloquent presentation. He has been in his present capacity for only two months, but he has shown remarkable dexterity in leading the Mission’s oper…
I shall be brief at this late hour. It is a pleasure for us to see here the Foreign
Minister of Macedonia, a country that is a close friend of Turkey.
We have already aligned ourselves with the statement delivered by the Ambassador of Sweden. As a neighbouring country and a close historical friend…
The political and humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan is one of the most preoccupying and pressing problems facing the international community, and the recent developments there are a source of serious concern.
Turkey has deep-rooted historical and cultural ties with the Afghan people. We attach the…
The Middle East is passing through difficult and arduous times that are taxing the best efforts of everyone who is working for the establishment of a lasting peace and who wishes to see the peoples of the region embrace the new century with hope and confidence. The series of conflicts — which for th…
While aligning ourselves with the statement made on behalf of the European Union, we would like to highlight certain points on the item regarding the report of the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia.
Ending a conflict and human suffering, and then achieving peace without sacr…
We are discussing a matter that has particular significance for our individual and collective roles and our standing as United Nations Members. Under the Charter of the United Nations, its Members — sovereign equals — confer on the Security Council primary responsibility for the maintenance of inter…
Being also a Balkan country, Turkey has always been directly involved in the quest to create a peaceful and stable Balkans that is poised to move towards prosperity in security, and has made incessant efforts to that end. With this aim, we have always tried to foster friendly relations and enlighten…
It is not my intention to dwell here on our disagreements with Armenia. However, after the remarks of the representative of
Armenia I am compelled to say a few brief words in response to just two points.
The representative of Armenia referred to Lord Curzon inquiring about Armenians. Again, Lord C…
The Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia, Mr. Vartan Oskanian, addressing the fifty-fifth session of the General Assembly on 18 September, remarked that the region was adversely affected by the lack of formal relations between Armenia and Turkey, and he went on to bring forth the …
Our deliberations come in the wake of the historic Declaration just adopted at the Millennium Summit. Today, we look into the future with greater confidence. Our commitment to the principles enshrined in the Charter is undiminished. Our enthusiasm to turn our Organization's goals into solid realitie…
I shall indeed be brief at this late hour.
This open debate on general issues relating to sanctions is indeed appropriate and timely. We commend Canada, a country known for its earnest efforts to strengthen international cooperation, for having taken this initiative.
It is in fact the duty, as wel…
It gives my delegation particular satisfaction to see at the helm of the Security Council the Permanent Representative of Bangladesh, a country with which Turkey maintains the closest of friendly bonds. We thank Assistant Secretary-General Annabi for the briefing he has given and welcome in particul…
The sheer number of speakers addressing the issue of Security Council reform — perhaps more than have ever spoken in any other debate — testifies clearly to the importance that the membership attaches to this vital question. We are all united, I hope, in the belief that the Council must represent th…
There is no doubt, and the Secretary-General’s report clearly testifies to this fact, that the political and humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan continues to be one of the most preoccupying and pressing problems of the international community. In Turkey, we have deep-rooted historical and cultural ti…
Our discussion of the situation in the Middle East is taking place today in a somewhat more positive and promising environment. The peace process has gone through a difficult phase during the last three years. There was a strong erosion of confidence
We are happy to note that there is a desire on b…
Of the three draft resolutions before us under the agenda item entitled “Oceans and the law of the sea”, Turkey will vote against the draft resolution contained in document A/54/L.31, entitled “Oceans and the law of the sea”. The reason for my delegation’s negative vote is that some of the elements
…
As we approach the end of the International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction, it is tragic that there has been a dramatic increase in the number, effects and costs of natural calamities. Global figures tell us that disasters have claimed an increasing number of human lives and have cost the wor…
It is my privilege to address the General Assembly this morning on agenda item 29, which covers the status of cooperation between the United Nations and the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC). Cooperation between the United Nations and regional organizations has proved to be an important d…
