Turkish National Defense Minister Yaşar Güler on Thursday stated that Ankara is in favor of “peaceful and prosperous” future with Greece.
“Our neighbor Greek people should be assured that Türkiye is in favor of a peaceful and prosperous future with Greece,” Güler stated throughout his deal with in parliament within the capital Ankara.
However, he emphasised that Türkiye won’t ever compromise on its nationwide pursuits whereas striving for a peaceable answer.
“I would like to state very clearly that we are fully determined to protect our rights and interests in our blue homeland,” he added.
Turning to the confidence-building measures assembly between Türkiye and Greece, Güler stated it was a superb alternative to additional develop relations with Greece.
“Negotiations between the delegations, which had been suspended for more than two years, were restarted, and a consensus was reached at the meeting to continue these negotiations next year,” he added.
Delegations from Türkiye and Greece on Monday held a brand new spherical of discussions centered on confidence-building measures in Ankara.
“We believe that we are going through a historic period in the development of our relations with Greece, and that a solution-oriented approach and an honest and constructive relationship will benefit both countries,” Güler stated.
Türkiye and Greece have skilled a tumultuous relationship through the years. Although 2021 noticed some enhancements, a number of points stay unresolved between the 2 neighboring nations.
Türkiye, a NATO member for over 70 years, has protested repeated provocative actions and rhetoric by Greece within the area lately, together with arming islands close to Turkish shores which can be demilitarized underneath longstanding treaties, saying that such strikes frustrate its good religion efforts towards peace.
CALL FOR HUMANITARIAN CEASE-FIRE IN GAZA
About the continued Israeli assaults within the Gaza Strip, Güler stated that a direct humanitarian cease-fire must be declared and assaults in opposition to civilians ought to cease.
“Violating international law in this way, killing children and women in hospitals, schools, sacred places, refugee camps … and turning the incident into brutality is a war crime and can never be accepted,” he added.
Türkiye will proceed to do its half in humanitarian assist and make diplomatic initiatives to cease the assaults on Gaza, the minister stated.
Israel has launched relentless air and floor assaults on the Gaza Strip since a cross-border assault by the Palestinian resistance group Hamas on Oct. 7.
At least 11,500 Palestinians have since been killed, together with greater than 7,800 girls and youngsters, and greater than 29,200 injured, in accordance with the newest figures from Palestinian authorities.
Thousands of buildings, together with hospitals, mosques, and church buildings, have additionally been broken or destroyed in Israel’s relentless air and floor assaults on the besieged enclave.
The Israeli demise toll, in the meantime, is round 1,200, in accordance with official figures.
FIGHT AGAINST TERRORISM
Türkiye has “neutralized” a complete of 1,868 YPG/PKK terrorists for the reason that starting of this 12 months, together with these hiding out throughout the border in Iraq and northern Syria, Güler stated.
“All our operations in Syria and Iraq are carried out in line with our right to self-defense arising from Article 51 of the UN Charter while respecting the sovereign rights and territorial integrity of our neighbors,” he added.
Türkiye has taken all precautions to stop hurt to harmless civilians, pleasant parts, historic and cultural property, and the setting, the minister confused.
“All elements of PKK/KCK, PYD/YPG and Daesh/ISIS in Syria and Iraq, which pose a threat to our country and our noble nation, are our legitimate target from now on, as they have been until today,” Güler stated.
In its greater than 35-year terror marketing campaign in opposition to Türkiye, the PKK-listed as a terrorist group by Türkiye, the U.S., and EU-has been chargeable for the deaths of greater than 40,000 individuals, together with girls, youngsters, and infants. The YPG is the terrorist PKK’s Syrian department.
Source: www.anews.com.tr