26.11.2025 14:32
The General Assembly of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Parliamentary Assembly was held in Sofia, Bulgaria. Fatih Dönmez, a member of parliament from Eskişehir and former Minister of Energy, along with the managers of the Ayder Energy Forum, evaluated critical developments ranging from the joint declaration proposal prepared for Gaza to artificial intelligence studies and the energy forum to be held in Ayder in January.
Eskişehir Deputy and Former Minister of Energy Fatih Dönmez, along with International Ayder Energy Forum managers Hakan Gültekin and Mustafa Efe Topaloğlu, who participated in the PABSEC General Assembly held in Sofia, Bulgaria, explained the details of the joint declaration proposal presented for Gaza and the preparations for the Ayder Energy Forum that will guide Turkey's energy vision. The Palestinian call voted by the delegates and the energy summit expected to have international participation were the prominent topics of the meeting.
"OBLIGATIONS IN THE CEASEFIRE AGREEMENT MUST BE FULFILLED WITHOUT FAIL" Providing information about the general assembly, Eskişehir Deputy and Former Minister of Energy Fatih Dönmez stated, "We hold a general assembly every six months. We held it under the auspices of the parliament of Sofia, Bulgaria. A working report has been prepared in line with the proposals we submitted to investigate the social, technical, legal, and ethical aspects of artificial intelligence in the working committees. We presented and evaluated those reports here at the general assembly. Then we voted. Of course, another issue is that, as you mentioned, we came to this general assembly as Turkey with a joint declaration proposal. The subject of our joint declaration is especially the recent developments in Gaza. As you know, a ceasefire agreement was signed in October, led by our President, with the leadership of Qatar, Egypt, and the United States. Essentially, all parties must fulfill the measures, criteria, and obligations that emerged in the ceasefire agreement without fail, but unfortunately, since the ceasefire, the Israeli government continues to kill innocent people, civilians, the elderly, and children there. They continue to obstruct humanitarian aid from reaching that region. We emphasized this."
"WE CALLED FOR THE RECOGNITION OF PALESTINE AS AN INDEPENDENT STATE" Dönmez expressed that they made a call for the recognition of Palestine as a separate independent state, stating, "Eight countries participated in the vote. Of these, 5 voted positively for our Palestinian proposal. Two abstained, and there was one opposition vote. Greece voted against. Then there was an unreasonable objection from Greece. Armenia also supported our proposal. However, the president's committee and the international secretariat evaluated the objections made and stated that the vote is valid. It has been accepted with 5 votes. Therefore, we will share this as a joint declaration with the public. Let me express that, in fact, there is a conflict between governments and their people in Western societies regarding this issue. I was in Spain last week. Everyone has hung the Palestinian flag on their balconies and windows. They have no ethnic or religious ties to the Palestinians. Geographically, it doesn't make sense either. Nevertheless, they are fully exercising their democratic right to protest in solidarity with the oppressed Palestinian people in their homes, workplaces, and streets. Indeed, looking at the period since these events began, initially, society and the public understand what is happening. The Israeli government's massacre of civilians is prompting every conscientious person to raise their voice against these events."
"AYDER NEEDS SUPPORT FROM INTERNATIONAL ACTORS" Dönmez stated that Ayder particularly needs support from international actors and organizations, saying, "As PABSEC, we sometimes hold these gatherings. In this regard, when we discussed this proposal with our PABSEC Secretary General and other members in PABSEC, they also approached it very positively. Indeed, last year, a very successful organization was held there with the participation of both the private sector and members of parliament from PABSEC, and hopefully, the second one will take place. Ayder will no longer be just a place we mention in Turkey. This year's topic is energy; last year we addressed transportation."
"WE WILL HOLD THE ENERGY FORUM ON JANUARY 14-15-16-17 IN AYDER" International Ayder Energy Forum Project President Hakan Gültekin and International Ayder Energy Forum Organization President Mustafa Efe Topaloğlu stated, "This year we will hold the forum under the energy theme. Academics who are authorities in this field from many parts of the world will be here, ministers will be here, and the chair of the parliamentary commission will be here. We invite everyone to the energy forum we will hold in Ayder and Çamlıhemşin on January 14-15-16-17."