Yasin Gungor
October 06, 2024•Update: October 06, 2024
ISTANBUL
Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmus highlighted Türkiye's role as a pillar of stability in the region on Saturday.
Kurtulmus participated in an interview with CNN Turk that addressed a range of domestic and international issues.
He emphasized Türkiye's significance in maintaining regional stability.
"Türkiye is the most important country that has managed to stand firm with confidence and stability in this region," he said, but warned against attempts to pressure Ankara regarding terrorist organizations, asserting that those trying to establish a terror state in the region do not aim to benefit local populations.
Israel-Gaza conflict
Marking the one-year mark of Israel's attacks on the Gaza Strip, Kurtulmus condemned the ongoing violence.
"History books will record this as one of the most significant crimes against humanity, one of the greatest genocides," he said, describing the situation as an "ethnic cleansing campaign" that has surpassed genocide.
The speaker criticized the response of the international community, particularly highlighting the UN’s ineffectiveness.
"In the UN, America has given Israel the assurance that whatever Israel does, whoever it kills, whichever country it attacks, it will go unpunished,” said Kurtulmus.
He noted regional threats are not far from but at Türkiye's "doorstep," and said, " Israel has opened a fire pit in the Middle East and is trying to throw all countries and peoples into it.
Noting that US elections are upcoming, Kurtulmus said one of the reasons for Israel's continued aggression is the political uncertainty in the US.
He said Israel's attacks against Lebanon "have been turned into an ungovernable country" and indicated that the attacks must end and people's fear for their lives must be eliminated. "This is also essential to prevent the emergence of a new wave of migrants,” added Kurtulmus.
Syria-Türkiye relations
Kurtulmus advocated for the swift normalization of relations between Türkiye and Syria.
"I believe that normalizing relations between Türkiye and Syria would benefit both countries," he said and stressed the need for internal normalization in Syria alongside resolving issues with Türkiye.
Russia-Ukraine conflict
Kurtulmus expressed optimism about the potential for peace between Russia and Ukraine following his recent visit to Russia,
"If third countries do not interfere, I hope that peace between Russia and Ukraine can be achieved," he said, indicating that discussions could resume from the point reached in previous negotiations in Istanbul in 2022.
Kurtulmus said Russia is close to Türkiye's ideas about Palestine and the people living in Gaza, and he believes that Russia's more active involvement in the process would create a balance in the region.
Reform of world system
Kurtulmus said new power centers and power balances will emerge and affect every part of the world. He noted that Türkiye is one of the most advantageous countries in the process, with its ability to establish relations with every part of the world and its multilateral, multi-vector active foreign policy.
Regarding arms embargoes against Türkiye by the US, Kurtulmus said it is an issue that Washington should consider "because they see very clearly that Türkiye is still a great ally that they cannot give up."
Kurtulmus also announced an upcoming closed parliamentary session on Tuesday, where the foreign and defense ministers will brief lawmakers on regional developments.
