Turkey, 2005

At the outset, I would like to

convey the condolences of my people to the friendly

people of the United States on the tragic loss of life

and large-scale destruction caused by Hurricane

Katrina. This is also a stark reminder of the many other

natural and man-made disasters, such as famine in

Africa, tsunamis, earthquakes, ecological catastrophes

and wide-scale violence and terrorism. They all require

sustained international attention and cooperation.

Having suffered from similar disasters, Turkey deeply

feels for others and stands in solidarity with them.

Upholding the principles of justice, dignity,

equality and social progress for the men and women of

our world should be the basis of the international order.

We must spread justice together with freedom. We

cannot rest until we provide prosperity and dignity for

every human being. Those principles should guide us

in our future efforts.

We have left a very busy period behind,

culminating with an important summit. The Summit

Outcome document (resolution 60/1) has encouraged

us all to focus on the global problems we face and on

the way to achieve positive change. Now is the time to

act. We must start implementing what we have agreed

upon on issues ranging from peacebuilding to human

rights. While doing this, we must not lose sight of our

main target: we must reach the internationally agreed

development goals, including the Millennium

Development Goals, by the year 2015.

With these things in mind, we welcome the

Secretary-General’s proposal to start with an

accountability pact (see ). We also welcome

your idea, Mr. President, to submit an outline of work

for the year ahead related to follow-up of the summit.

A large number of international problems that are

high on the United Nations agenda are occurring in our

part of the world. These are real issues that closely

affect the daily lives of our people. As a country with a

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rich heritage and great international experience, we are

working to build a culture of compromise and

reconciliation.

Our historical and cultural links to nations in

neighbouring regions from Eurasia to the Islamic world

and our role as a member of European, trans-Atlantic

and Mediterranean institutions will have a positive

effect on Turkey’s contribution to international

relations in the twenty-first century.

It is against that background, and with a sense of

confidence, that I take the opportunity to submit to the

Assembly’s attention Turkey’s candidacy for a

non-permanent seat on the Security Council for the

term 2009-2010.

Ongoing reform efforts hold great promise for the

improvement of the political, social and economic

standards of the Middle East region. We will continue

to encourage and assist those local efforts.

Concerning the Arab-Israeli conflict, the Israeli

withdrawal from the Gaza Strip is an encouraging

development. We would like to witness the same

positive trend in the West Bank. Israeli settlement

activities in occupied territories must come to an end.

The sanctity of the holy sites in Jerusalem must be

respected. The road map should be revived and fully

implemented.

Furthermore, we must not let terror and violence

derail the process this time. The reform of the

Palestinian National Authority must move forward,

particularly in the security domain. Efforts to improve

the living conditions of the Palestinians have to be

intensified. We support the work of Mr. James

Wolfensohn, Quartet Special Envoy for

Disengagement, and are cooperating with him. We

believe these efforts will help restore a sense of hope

among the Palestinians and ensure security for the

Israelis.

In order to integrate the Palestinians with the

world, seaports and airports must be built and

activated. Border crossings and trade corridors must

function smoothly. Freedom of movement must be

achieved. Such measures will go a long way towards

revitalizing the Palestinian economy. That will

encourage the Palestinians to become real partners in

peace with the Israelis. Turkey is already actively

working with the parties for the realization of this

vision. We are determined to continue to contribute in

any way we can.

Iraq’s destiny and the way the events are

unfolding in that country are of crucial importance for

peace and stability in the Middle East and beyond.

Building a democratic and prosperous Iraq at peace

with itself and its neighbours will be possible only if

the Iraqi people act as one, in full solidarity and with a

clear vision. Ethnic and religious differences in Iraq

should not be divisive. Rather they should be a source

of cultural plurality. Otherwise, the new Iraq will be a

source of instability and conflict, instead of hope and

inspiration for the entire region.

Turkey, in cooperation with the United Nations,

has been in the forefront of efforts for political and

economic rehabilitation in Iraq. The Neighbours of

Iraq forum, again pioneered by Turkey, has been an

efficient platform to support the unity and territorial

integrity of Iraq.

The security situation is a source of concern for

all. Iraq has, unfortunately, become a training ground

for terrorists. As a neighbouring country, Turkey

suffers as a result of this. We are concerned that

terrorism emanating from Iraq might have a ripple

effect on other countries, including Turkey. It is our

joint duty to prevent such an outcome.

The problems of Nagorny Karabakh, Abkhazia

and South Ossetia continue to impede peace and

cooperation in the South Caucusus. These problems

defy all United Nations principles. They demand our

urgent attention. In particular, a peaceful settlement

must be found to the Nagorny Karabakh issue

consistent with the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan.

Steps towards ending the occupation of Azeri territory

will create a better climate in the region, including in

Turkish-Armenian relations. We are giving full support

to the efforts of the Minsk Group. We are closely

following the high-level contacts between Turkey’s

two neighbours and are encouraging the parties to

make progress.

In Afghanistan, many challenges still lie ahead.

The continued support of the international community

is still needed. Among other matters, education, health,

gender equality and economic development need

increased attention. Alternative crops must be

encouraged in order to replace widespread poppy

cultivation. As a country that has twice led the

International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan,

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for a total of 14 months during the past three years,

Turkey wishes to reiterate its continued commitment.

We welcome the holding of elections as an encouraging

development for democracy in Afghanistan.

We are determined to continue our support for the

strengthening of peace, stability and prosperity in

South-East Europe. The Balkan region has made

considerable progress towards the establishment of a

peaceful environment leading to economic

development. The political and economic consolidation

of Bosnia and Herzegovina and final-status talks in

Kosovo need to be monitored carefully. Turkey will

continue to be a reliable partner in this process.

Regarding the Eastern Mediterranean, our vision

is to create a basin of cooperation, stability and

prosperity among Turkey, Greece and the two peoples

of Cyprus. However, it is regrettable that, at a time

when we are debating the best way to reform the

United Nations and enhance its role, we are at the same

time witnessing an attempt to move the Cyprus

problem away from this Organization. We regard these

efforts to undermine the role of the United Nations as a

most disturbing paradox. The Annan plan represented a

unique basis for the solution of this problem. Although

it did not fully meet their expectations, for the sake of

compromise the Turkish Cypriots approved the plan by

an overwhelming majority.

On the other hand, under the effective guidance

of the Greek Cypriot leadership, the rejection of the

Annan plan in a referendum held last year was a blow

to the international community. Thus, a chance to put

an end to the division of the island once and for all was

missed.

The report of the Secretary-General (S/2004/437)

issued after the referendum gave an overview of the

long negotiating process and recommended the lifting

of all restrictions upon the Turkish Cypriots.

Unfortunately, against established practice, the

comprehensive report of the Secretary-General on

Cyprus is being disregarded. As a result, the unfair

restrictions imposed upon the Turkish Cypriots could

not be lifted. One might find it difficult to believe that

the Turkish Cypriots still continue to live under

restrictions, cut off from the outside world.

During the ensuing period, the Secretary-

General’s soundings and his efforts to reactivate the

talks based on his plan have yielded no tangible results

because of the continued intransigence of the Greek

Cypriot administration. As if that were not enough, the

Greek Cypriot administration is now trying to sideline

the United Nations and carry this issue to other forums.

I urge all international actors to discourage these

misguided efforts. Turkey continues to be ready to

contribute to United Nations endeavours to find a just,

equitable and lasting solution to the Cyprus problem on

the basis of the Annan plan.

On this occasion, I would like to reiterate the

proposal that I made on 30 May 2005 for the lifting of

all restrictions related to the island (see A/59/820). In

that proposal, I basically suggested that it was

necessary to enable the free movement of people,

goods and services and to lift all restrictions applied to

seaports and airports between the two sides in Cyprus

as well as to Turkey and Greece. It is evident that this

proposal conforms to the legitimate expectations of the

international community.

We attach great importance to furthering our

relations and cooperation with the African continent.

According to an action plan, Turkey is vigorously

developing its relations with Africa as a whole. We

recently opened an office in Addis Ababa to serve as a

coordination centre for Turkish humanitarian and

developmental assistance to the continent. The Turkish

Government has also declared 2005 as the Year of

Africa in Turkey. We will continue our contributions to

international institutions, working to alleviate the

suffering and eliminate disease and hunger in Africa.

The chain of attacks in various parts of the world

proves that no country is immune to terrorism. We

condemn these atrocities in the strongest terms. No

distinction should be made among terrorist

organizations. There is no room for double standards in

this fight. We must reject terrorism as a method,

regardless of where, why and how it is employed.

Combating terrorism should be a global and collective

effort, and the United Nations should continue to play

a prominent role. We welcome Security Council

resolutions that call for strengthened measures against

incitement of terrorist acts and in favour of the

prevention of armed conflict, particularly in Africa. We

must also resist any temptation to associate any

specific culture, religion or faith with terrorism.

We should keep in mind that the right to the

peaceful uses of nuclear energy requires full and

transparent cooperation with the International Atomic

Energy Agency. The establishment of zones free of

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weapons of mass destruction, particularly in the

Middle East, will be an important contribution to

international peace and security.

Strengthening multilateralism and the central role

of the United Nations in the international system is a

fundamental aspect of our foreign policy. It is the

strongest hope and guarantee for a safer and better

world.