On 22 September, at the 81st session of the UN General Assembly in New York, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan stated that Ankara is seeking an end to the Russian-Ukrainian war whilst ensuring Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. In his speech, he also referred to the safety of merchant shipping in the Black Sea.
Briefly about the main points
- Ankara links the end of the war to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
- Erdoğan’s statement represents Turkey’s political position, not a new agreement between the parties.
- The President of Turkey specifically raised the issue of maritime safety in the Black Sea.
- Turkey has submitted a draft memorandum on commercial vessels to Kyiv and Moscow.
- Erdogan has proposed abolishing the veto power of the permanent members of the UN Security Council.
Ankara’s position on a diplomatic settlement
«It is our sincere wish to bring the Russian-Ukrainian war to an end whilst ensuring Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,» he said Erdogan, according to Anadolu.
His remarks set out Ankara’s political position on the terms of a diplomatic settlement, but do not indicate any new agreement between Kyiv and Moscow. Turkey has previously hosted talks between the Ukrainian and Russian sides and has been involved in international initiatives relating to the war and security in the Black Sea.
Turkey is promoting the protection of merchant shipping
Erdogan He drew particular attention to the safety of shipping in the Black Sea. This issue has come to the fore against the backdrop of attacks on civilian and merchant vessels in the region.
The International Maritime Organisation has previously condemned attacks on civilian merchant vessels in the Black and Azov Seas and called on the parties to the conflict not to pose a threat to seafarers and international shipping. The Turkish Minister for Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan In September, he described the spread of the war to the Black Sea as unacceptable, as attacks on civilian vessels pose a threat to people, property and navigation.
According to AFP, the Turkish side has submitted a draft memorandum to Ukraine and Russia on ceasing attacks on commercial vessels in the Black Sea. The document is intended to establish a mechanism to ensure safer passage for merchant ships. This issue is of particular importance to Ankara, as Turkey controls canals The Bosphorus and the Dardanelles, through which important trade routes pass.
Erdogan has proposed stripping the permanent members of the Security Council of their veto power
At the General Assembly session, the Turkish President also called for the abolition of the veto power held by the permanent members of the UN Security Council. In his view, the current system does not reflect modern global realities.
This year marks Erdoğan’s sixteenth appearance at the General Assembly in New York. His speech took place against the backdrop of Russia’s war against Ukraine, conflicts in the Middle East and discussions on reforming international institutions.
