Turkish Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş Engages with Macedonia
Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, Numan Kurtulmuş, recently met with the Global Journalists Council delegation in Skopje, the capital of North Macedonia. During the meeting, Kurtulmuş highlighted Turkey’s significant and proud work in the Balkans in recent years.
Kurtulmuş emphasized that Turkey maintains good relations with all Balkan countries without discrimination, acknowledging the region’s historical challenges and expressing the importance of trust and stability in the Balkans. He stated, “Ensuring trust and stability in the Balkans should be the main issue, the most basic idea.”
Furthermore, Kurtulmuş highlighted Turkey’s efforts to strengthen cultural diplomacy in the Balkan region through institutions like TIKA, Yunus Emre, the Maarif Foundation, and the General Directorate of Foundations. He mentioned how these organizations play a crucial role in preserving historical artifacts and promoting Turkish culture in the Balkans.
On the topic of peace and conflict resolution, Kurtulmuş underlined Turkey’s commitment to fostering peace in the Balkans and beyond. He mentioned Turkey’s role in mediating the Russia-Ukraine conflict and expressed hope for a lasting peace agreement. Additionally, Kurtulmuş discussed the need for inclusive governance in Syria and emphasized Turkey’s efforts to support democratic transitions in the region.
Regarding recent developments in the Middle East, Kurtulmuş addressed Israel’s accountability for past atrocities and highlighted the importance of international justice in holding perpetrators accountable. He commended the efforts of global citizens in advocating for justice and expressed hope for a new era of accountability.
In conclusion, Kurtulmuş reaffirmed Turkey’s commitment to promoting peace, stability, and democracy in the Balkans and beyond. He emphasized the need for collaborative efforts to address regional challenges and build a more inclusive and peaceful future for all.
