Mr. President, the session of the General Assembly over which you are presiding marks the last to be held this century. We are about to turn a new leaf in history. It is, therefore, a time for reflection, a time to reap our lessons and draw our conclusions. It is also a time to reorganize our goals,…
On behalf of the Group of Asian States and on my own behalf, I would like, Sir, to extend our warm congratulations on your election as President of the General Assembly. We have every reason to believe that with your able leadership and wide-ranging experience, the General Assembly will address the …
In the history of mankind there are few documents that stand the test of time and have an enduring effect on the organization and behaviour of societies and individuals. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted 50 years ago by the General Assembly, is one such document. It has charted a pr…
The political and humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan continues to be one of the international community’s most preoccupying and pressing problems. Turkey enjoys strong bonds of friendship with the Afghan people and has an unselfish desire to see this tragically divided, war-torn country emerge as a …
The representative of Armenia referred indirectly to my country. He referred to certain tragic events of the past. There is no doubt that peoples of that region have faced and continue to face tragedies even today. There is no doubt that thousands of Turks and Armenians have perished during the even…
When at its first session the General Assembly affirmed that genocide is a crime under international law and asked for a convention on the crime of genocide to be drawn up, the bitter experiences of the devastating Second World War were very much alive. The drafting of the Convention on the Preventi…
Our discussion on the situation in the Middle East this year is taking place in a relatively promising environment. The signing of the Wye River Memorandum and the implementation of its first phase have reopened the long-stalled peace process.
We congratulate the leaders of Israel and Palestine for…
Among the two draft resolutions before us on the agenda item entitled “Oceans and the law of the sea”, Turkey will vote against that contained in document A/53/L.35.
The reason for my delegation's negative vote is that some of the elements contained in the United Nations Convention on the Law of th…
Ending conflict and human suffering and then achieving peace without sacrificing justice constitute the most fundamental objective of humankind. Although the signing of the Dayton Peace Agreement and its imperfect implementation brought about peace and ended human suffering in the territory of forme…
Security Council reform continues to constitute one of the most important and daunting tasks before this world body. We cannot lose sight of the fact that the outcome of this process will have long-term implications for both the Organization and all Member States for many years to come. It is theref…
Today is the seventy-fifth anniversary of the founding of the Turkish Republic, and as I will be the host of the reception to which we will welcome representatives in a few minutes, I would like to thank the representative of Pakistan for offering me his place on the list of speakers.
I will be ver…
The hour is late, Mr. President. It is with a sense of deep regret that I take the floor to exercise my right of reply to the statement made by the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Greece, Mr. Pangalos. But the record must be set straight. Distortions must not be allowed to circulate freely.
It is e…
This is my first General Assembly as Prime Minister. I was here as Foreign Minister, when the waves of change were sweeping away the cold-war era. I recall the optimism shared by many about a more humane and harmonious international system. I remember the sounds of joy as freedom, democracy and the …
I welcome this opportunity to address some of the most defining issues of our time. The social and economic impact of globalization and interdependence are at the forefront of the international agenda, and rightly so. The important task before us is to help formulate and enhance relevant internation…
There seems to be no end to the tragic suffering of the Afghan people, and the recent developments have compounded this painful situation. In addition to the extensive human suffering and destruction, the current situation poses a growing threat to regional and international security. That is why my…
May I first congratulate you, Sir, on your assumption of the presidency of the Council and also express our appreciation to your predecessor, the distinguished Ambassador of Kenya.
There is no doubt that to date considerable progress has been made in Bosnia and Herzegovina towards the implementatio…
First of all, Sir, I should like to express our appreciation at seeing you preside over the
Turkey is gravely concerned at the situation in Kosovo and the wider implications it may have for peace, security and stability in the region and beyond. Unless appropriate measures are taken in time, the co…
Turkey welcomes the adoption by the General Assembly without a vote of the International Convention for the Suppression of Terrorist Bombings. The Convention has significant importance since it is the first global legal document to recognize terrorist bombings as crimes. While welcoming the adoption…
Bosnia and Herzegovina continues to focus the attention of the international community. The preservation of that country’s integrity, sovereignty and political independence is a continuing responsibility undertaken by the United Nations by virtue of the relevant General Assembly and Security Council…
Although Turkey supports draft resolution A/52/L.55, I would like to clarify the position of my delegation on one aspect of the situation in the Middle East.
There are several reasons for the current impasse in the peace process. We do not think it is fair to assign all responsibility to one of the…
