Erdoğan urges to end war in Ukraine through diplomacy

ANKARA

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Sept. 16 said Türkiye is making diplomatic efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war as soon as possible.

“Our aim is to create an environment of peace in our region and beyond in a spirit of enterprising diplomacy that focuses on human and humanitarian values. In this regard, we exert intensive efforts in order for the conflicts in Ukraine to be brought to an end through diplomacy as soon as possible,” he said, addressing the 22nd meeting of the council of heads of state of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).

Türkiye maintains fruitful cooperation with the United Nations and the parties for the shipment of the Ukrainian grain, Erdoğan said, adding that Ankara also exerts sincere efforts in order for the grain to be delivered to those who need it the most, particularly in Africa.

Erdoğan held a private meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the Samarkand summit later on Sept. 16. Erdoğan met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the summit. He also held talks on Sept. 16 with other leaders attending the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit.

As the far-western Asian and the far-eastern European, Türkiye has an exceptional location, Erdoğan said, noting that his country has thousands of years long social, cultural and political ties with Asia.

With its Asia Anew initiative, which we proclaimed in 2019, Ankara has been working to strengthen its relations with Asia, its fatherland, in every area, Erdoğan added.

“We see the Shanghai Cooperation Organization as Asia’s climate of tolerance and ancient culture based on producing common solutions to problems,” he said.

Noting that Ankara attached importance to enhancing its relations with the SCO, Erdoğan said thanks to Türkiye’s status of “dialogue partner” for the last decade, the SCO has become one of the country’s doors opening to Asia. He recalled that Türkiye had assumed the term presidency of the SCO’s High-Level Group on Energy in 2017, and held the third High-Level Group Meeting in Ankara accordingly. “I believe we will elevate our cooperation to much higher levels through our joint efforts from now on as well,” he said.

Noting that terrorism has no borders and adversely affects all countries, Erdoğan said Türkiye is a country that has sacrificed tens of thousands of its citizens to terrorist organizations and which knows well the brutality of terror.

“We stand ready to further strengthen our dialogue with the Shanghai Cooperation Organization regarding the issues concerning our mutual security,” he stated.

Stressing that one of the most important dimensions of security is ensuring continuity in supply chains, he said Türkiye supports the efforts aimed at global food security, through its initiatives within the G20 in particular.

The importance of strengthening the connection between the east and the west for the continuity of global supply chains has now become more visible, he emphasized.

“It is obvious that the initiative which we call ‘Central Corridor’ serves as an important artery along the Caucasus, Central Asia and the People’s Republic of China line, and plays a significant role in the establishment of prosperity and stability in our region and beyond,” he said.

Türkiye’s position as a bridge between the east and the west offers opportunities, Erdoğan said, adding, “With this understanding, we stand ready for cooperation in every area, from security, economy and energy to transportation, agriculture and tourism. We will continue to contribute to the ongoing political and economic processes within the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.”