İSTANBUL (GOLDENHORN AGENCY) – After a series of meetings at the extraordinary NATO summit on Thursday, Turkish President Erdogan on Friday told the press that Turkey is an invaluable ally in ensuring regional security and that NATO is the cornerstone of European security. He emphasized the efforts that Turkey is making on the diplomatic front with Russia and Ukraine and explained in a press conference some of the difficulties Turkey has encountered during negotiations. The Turkish leader said there are two facts he wanted to share after his trip to the summit: “The first of these is that NATO is the cornerstone and main structure of European security. We have seen this very clearly. Secondly, Turkey is an indispensable ally for ensuring regional security.”
Erdogan went on the say that a number of leaders at the NATO summit and bilateral meetings had the same sentiments. He said that Turkey “has made the most extensive contributions to NATO during our 70-year membership.” He added that unlike his allies that Turkey “demonstrated this in all respects on land, at sea, in the air, and its political activities.” The Turkish leader referred to “the spirit of alliance solidarity,” commenting that Turkey will continue its efforts with the same “determination and reliability.”
The Turkish leader gave an update on the continuing negotiations between Ukrainian and Russian officials and commented there are six sections being negotiated between Russia and Ukraine. Erdogan said the probability is that both sides could agree to four of those. He said that one concerns the issue of NATO and the NATO membership issue as well as having Russia accepted as an official language. Erdogan said that Ukraine’s President Zelensky agreed to both of those. A major issue is the issue of disarmament and the Turkish president said that Ukraine showed a willingness to compromise and had what he deemed a “positive approach” in regard to that. Erdogan added that “Ukraine is not comfortable with demands regarding the Crimea and Donbass regions which are against its territorial integrity.” Erdogan said on the issue of Donbass, that Zelensky said he would have to go to a referendum on the issue which the Turkish leader called “smart leadership.”
Erdogan had previously commented that Ukrainian President Zelensky had requested Turkey mediate between Ukraine and Russia. Currently, the two primary mediators are Turkey and Israel which Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said he views in a positive light. Currently, Ukraine is working with Turkey and Israel to arrange a place and framework for the talks Turkey has been among several countries leading efforts to bring about a permanent ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine. Before peace, Erdogan emphasized there must be a ceasefire and creating of real humanitarian corridors. He lauded the Turkish effort to get to a permanent ceasefire, crediting his contacts with other leaders and Foreign Minister Cavusoglu’s diplomatic efforts as well. Erdogan remarked: “All these have been the best example of Turkey’s ability to act as a guarantor and mediator.”
