Minister of Foreign Affairs Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, who attended the Pamukkale University UNIAK Youth Meeting, said that even if the world stands against Turkey, they will continue to protect their rights and laws in Cyprus, the Aegean and the Eastern Mediterranean and they are determined in this regard.
Commenting on the US lifting the arms embargo against Greek Cyprus, Çavuşoğlu said to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, “You have something to give other than your gun,” in the face of the rhetoric of “cooperated in money laundering, it was done to reward”. He stated that he asked the question “Is there not?”
Çavuşoğlu said that he asked Blinken the questions: “Give money. They love it. They also need it. Why are you giving weapons? To whom are you responding to this weapon?”
“We will meet whatever he needs as a weapon”
In response to the decision taken by the US side, Çavuşoğlu said, “We will send more forces there to protect the Turkish Cypriots and we will meet whatever they need in terms of weapons.”
Çavuşoğlu emphasized that they used all the means of diplomacy to protect Turkey’s rights and interests, and underlined that they are strong on the field and at the table.
Çavuşoğlu noted that epidemics, climate change, migration, terrorism, energy and food crises are the common problems of humanity and that the current international system cannot respond to them.
Çavuşoğlu stated that the world’s understanding of migration is “It’s enough, just don’t come to us”, and said:
“When we come to the solution of this problem, we do not have any culture or desire to act together. Of course, we need actors who emphasize common sense, dialogue and diplomacy in such times. The system is insufficient. There is no solidarity. There are many problems. How can we deal with these problems? How will we face them? This is what we are trying to do today. There is no static Turkey that follows developments anymore, my dear brothers and sisters, we have become a country that directs dynamic developments. Of course, this also requires power. In other words, a great country, a great nation, a large population of 85 million, economic power and I’m talking about Turkey, a smart power that uses hard and soft power wisely. fast.”
“Everyone sees Turkey as the main actor”
Emphasizing that Turkey is seen as the main actor in dozens of critical issues that concern the world and the region it is in, Çavuşoğlu said, “Who does everyone see as the most important actor in the world today in an environment where there are global challenges in energy crisis, food crisis, irregular migration, climate change and supply chains? He sees Turkey as the most important actor. In this era of uncertainty, it is very important to take effective decisions in coordination with other relevant institutions and to implement them quickly. In this sense, the presidential administration system provides us with important advantages as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and as Turkish foreign policy.” he said.
Çavuşoğlu said that they followed a very intense foreign policy and that a multi-layered foreign policy should be followed.
“We were not successful in multilateral foreign policy”
Explaining that he went to Samarkand, London, New York and Los Angeles in a week’s program and made some contacts, Çavuşoğlu stated that they met with more than 100 state officials.
Emphasizing that the Türkevi opposite the UN building is one of the centers of diplomacy in the UN General Assembly, Çavuşoğlu continued as follows:
“When we look at Turkish foreign policy, maybe we used to follow a one-sided foreign policy. Maybe that’s what we had. As Turkey, we were not successful in a multi-faceted foreign policy. I mean, I don’t mean to denigrate or criticize the past, but this is the truth. Today, we look at the Balkans. We have many areas of interest, from mediation to the fight against terrorism, and after that, we have had the opportunity to share Turkey’s thoughts, determinations and suggestions with the international community on all these issues,” he said.
“The powerhouse of the economy has become Asia”
Noting that after the African and Latin American expansions, there are Asian initiatives again, Çavuşoğlu said:
“Asia has become the powerhouse of the economy. There are opportunities there. Therefore, we need to seize these opportunities. As an Asian power, we also reviewed our policies. We have accelerated our concrete project-oriented work in more than a thousand action elements, with a holistic approach that takes into account regional differences. Asia’ “We cannot remain indifferent to these developments in Turkey. I also want to share a good news. Turkmenistan, which was an observer before, will also become a full member at the Organization of Turkish States summit on November 11 in Samarkand. Thus, we will hopefully complete our family picture.”
“There is an understanding in the world that ‘Your terrorist is my terrorist'”
Minister Çavuşoğlu stated that social media, if used properly, makes an important contribution to the rapid delivery of information.
Expressing that the ministry’s Turkish Twitter account ranks fifth in the world and first in Europe as a result of their work in this field, Çavuşoğlu said that his own account ranks fourth among foreign ministers in the world.
Expressing that Turkey’s leading role in the fight against terrorism is known by the world, Çavuşoğlu concluded his words as follows:
“Turkey is at the head of the countries that do not fall into double standards and do not make hypocrisy in the fight against terrorism. Unfortunately, there is an understanding of ‘Your terrorist is my terrorist’ in the world today. In the world today, there is an understanding of ‘Long live the snake that does not touch me.’ There are also countries that use it to weaken other countries, to weaken some political formations within the countries. There is also Syria right next to us. The USA and some European countries openly support the PKK/YPG terrorist organization to divide Syria. All those who oppose our intervention in the terrorist organization support the separatist agenda of this terrorist organization, but Turkey does not discriminate, regardless of who it is, whether it is DAESH, PKK, FETO, whether it is Al-Shabab or Boko Haram. We are strengthening its capacity. Because terror, that snake will come and bite you one day.”