Although Turkey supports draft resolution A/52/L.52, we see that it does not reflect all the obstacles on the road to lasting peace and stability in the Middle East. We believe that terrorism is one of the fundamental threats to the peace process. We would like to emphasize, therefore, the urgent ne…
It has now been four years since the General Assembly decided to establish the Open-ended Working Group on the Question of Equitable Representation on and Increase in the Membership of the Security Council and Other Matters Related to the Security Council. In its resolution 48/26 of 3 December 1993,…
Turkey considers the Middle East peace process, initiated in the recent past, as the single most important positive development in the fragile political environment of that region. We have placed much hope in it for ensuring an increasingly peaceful and prosperous future for the entire Middle East. …
Among the four draft resolutions before the General Assembly, Turkey will vote against the draft resolution entitled “Oceans and the law of the sea” contained in document A/52/L.26.
The reason for my delegation’s negative vote is that some of the elements contained in the Convention on the Law of t…
With the signing of the Dayton Agreement, a new political era began in the turbulent region of the former Yugoslavia. But the way ahead is still fraught with dangers, and there may be setbacks on the difficult road to a just and viable peace and political stability. In the search for peace, one has …
The response of the representative of Greece to the questions in my statement in right of reply did not provide any answers clarifying the position of Greece with regard to international law or to Greece’s selective approach to its implementation. Greece does not seem to be ready to explain its doub…
In reply to the speech of the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Greece on 26 September, I wish to state the following: that statement contains false accusations and misrepresentations of facts concerning Turkey.
The General Assembly is an august body where international issues are debated with a view…
It is not my delegation’s intention to engage here in a pointless argument with Iraq. The primary responsibility of each and every State is to protect and defend the lives, property and well-being of its citizens. This is all the more important when the threat comes from another country with or with…
It is a great pleasure for me to congratulate Mr. Hennadiy Udovenko on his election to the presidency of the General Assembly. I am confident that under his able leadership, the work of the fifty- second session of the General Assembly will be a success. I should also like to express our appreciatio…
Albania and its friendly people have passed through very difficult times. These difficulties were, to a great extent, the result of a painful process of adaptation to a new political, social and economic order. Peace, security and stability on the Balkan peninsula, of which Turkey is a part, has bec…
One week ago, the situation in the occupied Arab territories, and particularly the building of new Israeli settlements, was debated in the Security Council. At that time, we expressed our views on this
Israelis and Palestinians are partners in peace. This understanding and the progress achieved so …
Turkey has no objection to the draft resolution before us, entitled “Observer status for the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea in the General Assembly”. However, as the Tribunal is an institution established in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, Turkey w…
With reference to the two draft resolutions before us on the agenda item entitled “Oceans and the law of the sea”, Turkey will vote against the one contained in document A/55/L.10. The reason for my delegation’s negative vote is that some of the elements contained in the United Nations Convention on…
At the outset, I would like to thank the Secretary-General for his reports in documents A/51/698 and A/51/704, on the overall situation in Afghanistan, the implementation of the emergency humanitarian assistance programme in that war-stricken country, and the work of the United Nations Special Missi…
The situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina continues to occupy a very important place in the agenda for peace and security in the Balkans and beyond.
The developments which took place prior to the Dayton Peace Agreement proved once again that a lack of firm and prompt international response to aggress…
I need a point of clarification. We have asked for a recorded vote on draft resolution A/51/L.21. Will we first proceed with the vote on that draft resolution?
For the last few months, we have been expressing our concern over the turn of events in the Middle East and the lack of progress in the peace process. With a direct interest in the realization of a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East, our sincere hope during these months has bee…
The vote to be cast by Turkey on draft resolution A/51/L.23 does not relate in any way to any position or policy adopted or pursued by the country presenting it. Our vote should not be construed as expressing any approval or endorsement of such a position or policy of the country submitting the draf…
We were pleased to see that positive developments took place last year in the territory of the former Yugoslavia. The Dayton Agreement was signed and a new political era began in that turbulent region. But the way ahead is still fraught with dangers and there may still be setbacks on the difficult r…
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey stated at the general debate almost a month ago that, as we embark on the second half-century of our Organization, it is appropriate for the international community to reassess the ways and means by which we can give new impetus to the efforts aimed at build…
