Turkish FM: UN must unite to tackle polarization

WASHINGTON

Turkey's Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu urged the UN on Nov. 19 to unite to counter hatred and polarization around the world.

Çavuşoğlu spoke at the opening of the 8th Global Forum of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC), an initiative created in 2005 by the late former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, and co-sponsored by Turkey and Spain.

“Lets unite on the need and dedication to tackle extremism and polarization,” Çavuşoğlu said, according to the state-run Anadolu Agency.

"We should demonstrate continued resolve and political will to counter the prejudice, exclusion, polarization and hatred around the world," he added.

The UNAOC works to explore the roots of polarization by addressing priority areas of education, youth, migration and media.

Çavuşoğlu emphasized that when it comes to migration, “xenophobia, racism, discrimination, anti-Islam sentiments and hatred against Muslims” are on the rise with increased migrants flowing into Europe.

“Turkey, as believing in the merit of effective multilateralism, and as one of the core sponsors of this very important initiative of this United Nations is willing and ready to continue its firm support for our common efforts,” he said.

As part of his talks in the U.S., Çavuşoğlu will also meet with his American counterpart, Mike Pompeo on Nov. 20.

It is the first official visit by a top Turkish minister since the release of jailed American pastor Andrew Brunson last month in Turkey on
terror-related charges. Çavuşoğlu said the pair will discuss the Manbij roadmap as well as the extradition of the U.S.-based FETÖ leader Fethullah Gülen.

The Manbij deal between Ankara and Washington focuses on the withdrawal of YPG/PKK militants from the city to stabilize the region, which is in the northeast of northern Syria's Aleppo province.

Çavuşoğlu said Washington failed to fulfill Turkey's request for Gülen's extradition in the wake of the July 15, 2016, coup attempt. He said he would deliver more evidence to the Donald Trump administration about Gülen.

FETO and Gülen orchestrated the defeated coup which left 251 people killed and nearly 2,200 injured.

Ankara also accuses FETÖ of being behind a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration of Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police and judiciary.