06.11.2025 01:33
The panel titled "Turkey's Role in the Future of the Middle East and Syria," organized in collaboration with the Şanlıurfa Metropolitan Municipality and the Şanlıurfa City Council, was held with a large turnout. Speaking at the panel, Şanlıurfa Metropolitan Mayor Mehmet Kasım Gülpınar stated, "A Turkey free of terrorism is our shared responsibility," and expressed his gratitude to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli for leading the process.
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The panel titled "Turkey's Role in the Future of the Middle East and Syria," organized in collaboration with the Şanlıurfa Metropolitan Municipality and the Şanlıurfa City Council, was held with intense participation. The panel, which took place at the Disabled Coordination and Life Center, featured speakers including Fulya Öztürk, CNN Türk Special News Chief, Retired Colonel Coşkun Başbuğ, and İdris Arıkan, CNN Türk News Director. The panel discussed Turkey's strategic position in the region, developments in the Middle East, and the vision of a "Terror-Free Turkey."
The program was also attended by Şanlıurfa Metropolitan Mayor Mehmet Kasım Gülpınar, Şanlıurfa Deputy Governor Onur Şatıroğlu, Eyyübiye Mayor Mehmet Kuş, Harran University Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Cenap Cevheri, AK Party Şanlıurfa Provincial Deputy Chairman Ahmet Aslan, MHP Şanlıurfa Provincial Chairman Mahmut Güneş, İYİ Party Şanlıurfa Provincial Chairman Ali Eroğlu, AK Party Eyyübiye District Chairman Süleyman Elgün, Karaköprü Deputy Mayor Bakır Kama, Şanlıurfa City Council President Süleyman Hartavioğlu, representatives of civil society organizations, and many citizens.
The program, which began with a moment of silence and the reading of the National Anthem, continued with the opening speech of Şanlıurfa Metropolitan Mayor Mehmet Kasım Gülpınar.
PRESIDENT GÜLPINAR: URFA IS TURKEY'S PEACE GEOGRAPHY In his speech, President Gülpınar emphasized that Şanlıurfa is an ancient city that has hosted different cultures throughout history. Stating that the developments in the region directly affect both Turkey and Urfa, Gülpınar said:
"God willing, the importance of Urfa will become much more evident in the future. The developments in the Middle East, especially our 221-kilometer border with Syria, are of great concern to the region and our country. This situation naturally affects Urfa and its people directly. Therefore, we are extremely careful and sensitive about this issue."
Expressing that they see Turkey's role in the region as a state policy, President Gülpınar highlighted the vision of the Turkey Century, saying, "May the positive developments to come provide us with a new vision and roadmap, leaving behind the negativities of the past. Thus, we can take much stronger steps in our region and the world in a manner befitting the Turkey Century vision."
"WHAT IS HAPPENING IN GAZA IS A CRIME AGAINST HUMANITY" In his speech, President Gülpınar also addressed the tragedy in Gaza, stating that the oppression imposed by Israel has reached the level of genocide, and continued:
"The Israeli oppression in Gaza has now become a genocide beyond mere oppression. This situation deeply affects us because it is inflicted upon our brothers who share the same religion, culture, and values. However, we should not only look at the issue from a religious perspective. People with a conscience all over the world are also opposing this process and condemning Israel on every platform."
Pointing out the war and instability in the Middle East, Gülpınar emphasized that Turkey's stability is of critical importance for regional peace, stating, "The civil war in Syria, which has lasted for more than 10 years, the massacres in Gaza, the instability in Iraq and Lebanon, and the hunger and poverty in Yemen show that we are living in a ring of fire. Therefore, Turkey's stability is more important than ever."
"THE VISION OF A TERROR-FREE TURKEY IS OUR COMMON RESPONSIBILITY" Continuing his speech, President Gülpınar referred to the call of MHP Chairman Devlet Bahçeli and the "Terror-Free Turkey" process initiated under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, stating, "It is not possible for us to walk this path alone. I believe that our universities, civil society organizations, and the private sector will also be with us in this process in harmony with our state's policy. Because this issue concerns not only our region but our entire country and nation. We will act together with a sense of common responsibility."
After President Gülpınar's speech, the guest speakers of the panel took the stage. Fulya Öztürk, CNN Türk Special News Chief, Retired Colonel Coşkun Başbuğ, and İdris Arıkan, CNN Türk News Director, comprehensively evaluated Turkey's geopolitical role in the Middle East with the "Terror-Free Turkey" vision. The speakers emphasized the strategic importance of Turkey in ensuring regional stability, stating that the fight against terrorism has not only a military dimension but also a diplomatic and social aspect. During the program, CNN Türk Special News Chief Fulya Öztürk, who spoke highly of Şanlıurfa, expressed her love for the city and how her affection for it grows every day. At the end of the panel, the speakers answered questions from the participants. Gifts were presented to the speakers at the end of the event.
The program concluded with a group photo session.
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