Turkey, 2006

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.