Call from Ali Babacan: Steps should be taken to reduce tensions.

15.06.2025 20:41

The leader of the DEVA Party, Ali Babacan, made a statement regarding the violent conflicts between Iran and Israel. Babacan emphasized that the solution lies in dialogue and mutual security, calling on the parties to take steps to reduce tensions. He also urged international organizations such as the United Nations and the International Atomic Energy Agency to mobilize for a resolution.

Ali Babacan stated regarding the violent conflicts between Iran and Israel, "The resolution of nuclear disputes is only possible through dialogue and mutual trust. The parties should view these negotiations as an opportunity and take steps to reduce tensions mutually."

DEVA Party Chairman Ali Babacan made striking statements at the 28th Anniversary Program of D-8.

Babacan spoke about the Israel-Iran conflicts at a meeting held at the Çırağan Palace, attended by the 11th President Abdullah Gül, Saadet Party Chairman Mahmut Arıkan, and Future Party Chairman Ahmet Davutoğlu.

"ISRAEL'S GOVERNMENT HAS NO INTENTION TO STOP"

Babacan made the following statements: "Dear participants, our region is truly going through dark days. Right next to us, in Gaza, tens of thousands of people have been slaughtered. Young people, the elderly, children, women, men, each one is being erased from the earth until there is no one left to mention their names. The aggressive Israeli government has no intention to stop. With one eye on Gaza, they are looking at Syria with the other. With one eye on Syria, they have started to strike Iran. This reckless government has no intention to stop."

"AMERICAN SUPPORT INCREASES ISRAEL'S ARROGANCE"

In the heart of the Middle East, there has been an occupation policy that has been maintained for decades. There is a long-term policy that systematically operates step by step. This occupation targets not only the lands of a people but also demolishes the fundamental pillars of international law. The genocide that Israel applies in Gaza and the West Bank, and the systematic attacks it carries out in Syria, not only undermine regional peace but also destroy the legitimacy of the international order. The unconditional support given by the American administration increases Israel's arrogance and recklessness day by day.

"THE UNITED NATIONS SYSTEM HAS COMPLETELY BECOME PARALYZED"

After the Second World War, in which 50 million people died, the United Nations system was established to prevent such a large-scale disaster from happening again. Unfortunately, this United Nations system has completely become paralyzed in recent years. When it comes to Israel, you see the American veto. When it comes to Ukraine or Georgia, you see the Russian veto. If the rules are only applied to the weak and do not work for the strong, it will lead this world into great chaos.

"THE MIDDLE EAST MUST NOT BE DRAGGED INTO GREATER DISASTERS"

Just look at what has happened in the last two days: The attacks that Israel launched against Iran the night before last have once again postponed the already fragile hopes for peace and stability in the Middle East. I have stated that I see these attacks as a clear violation of international law and I condemn them vehemently. I invite all parties to respect international law and to refrain from steps that would deepen the conflict or spread it to the region. The escalation of conflicts in the region will not be in the interest of any party, will endanger the lives of millions of innocent people, and will lead the Middle Eastern societies, which are already paying heavy prices, into even greater disasters.

"THE PARTIES MUST TAKE STEPS TO REDUCE TENSIONS"

From here, my call to the USA and Iran is to continue the planned nuclear negotiations. I would like to share our suggestions and recommendations with both countries to resolve this critical issue at the diplomatic table. At this stage, it has become inevitable for a few more neutral countries to join the negotiation table. The resolution of nuclear disputes is only possible through dialogue and mutual trust. The parties should view these negotiations as an opportunity and take steps to reduce tensions mutually. I invite international institutions, especially the United Nations and the International Atomic Energy Agency, to fulfill their duties in ensuring peace and security in the Middle East.

"THE ORGANIZATION OF ISLAMIC COOPERATION MUST NOT DISPLAY A DOUBLE STANDARD"

Perhaps more importantly, I see it as essential for the Organization of Islamic Cooperation to abandon its ambiguous stance on this issue and to adopt a more uniform position. We want not more bloodshed in this geography, but for dialogue and reconciliation to prevail. The future of the Middle East can only be rebuilt not through war, but through peace and cooperation.

"D-8 IS PEACE, FAIR ORDER, AND EQUALITY"

D-8 is not just an economic cooperation organization. D-8 is actually an ideal shaped by the principles of justice, equality, solidarity, and peace. The vision of Erbakan Hodja's 'New World' was embodied in the Istanbul Declaration announced at the founding of D-8. You have just seen the fundamental principles of this declaration. Six fundamental principles and an emblem with six stars: Peace instead of war, dialogue instead of conflict, a fair order instead of exploitation, justice instead of double standards, equality instead of discrimination, and human rights instead of oppression… These are the fundamental tenets of the D-8 formation.

In fact, a bridge of solidarity has been built with D-8. A bridge of solidarity that stands by the oppressed, the excluded, and the silenced… The spirit of D-8 is not only to strengthen the cooperation and unity of the Islamic world; the spirit of D-8 embodies the common conscience of humanity. Today, the D-8 countries, with a population of nearly 1.3 billion, an economy exceeding 4.5 trillion dollars, and a geography of over 7.5 million square kilometers, truly represent an enormous resource and cultural wealth. Increasing trade between member countries to 500 billion dollars, establishing common logistics networks, creating common payment systems, and developing programs for financing SMEs are undoubtedly all extremely important goals for the development of the economy and creating synergy, but as we see in Erbakan Hodja's understanding of 'the supremacy of justice', it is of great importance for member countries to unite not only around material values but also around spiritual values. From this perspective, D-8 also signifies a strong stance against the occupation in Palestine, the civil war in Yemen, the oppression in Arakan, and the injustices in other oppressed geographies.

"THE POWER OF YOUR WORD CAN SOMETIMES BE MORE IMPORTANT THAN MONEY OR WEAPONS"

Look, our late teacher Erbakan said beautifully: You will reach a power that will enforce your rule all over the earth, otherwise you cannot even apply the order of justice in a small town. 'To raise our voices against every kind of injustice in the world and to be effective, we must first be strong. We must strengthen ourselves in economy, technology, and security matters. More importantly, our reputation must be strong, meaning our word must be strong. Because, at times, the power of the word can be more effective than money or weapons. The power of the word is won by acting with justice, law, and always with conscience. The power of the word is gained by being a reliable interlocutor.

"ISLAMIC COUNTRIES MUST SHOW THE MOST EFFORT IN EDUCATION AND GOVERNANCE"

When we take a step back and look, there are two important areas where Islamic countries need to put in the most effort.

If we really want to strengthen ourselves... The first of these is education. Yes, if we do not have a society made up of well-educated individuals, it is not possible to strengthen ourselves in either the economy or technology. Only with well-educated human resources can a country's economy grow. Only with well-educated human resources can we become self-sufficient in technology and, consequently, in security. The second important area where Islamic countries need to put in the most effort is good governance. That is; transparency, accountability, strong institutions, a rule-based governance approach... In other words, being able to say law first... It is not possible to strengthen and enrich ourselves without doing these things, nor is it possible to be effective in the world.

"D-8 REPRESENTS A PROTEST AND A HOPE"

Dear guests, for all these reasons I have mentioned, the growth of economic cooperation among D-8 countries; the diversification and development of trade relations is truly very valuable. We need the values represented by D-8 more than ever today. Today, D-8 represents a memory, a heritage, a protest, but at the same time, a hope. It represents a dream that extends from the past to the future, a vision.

In its 28th year, D-8 will continue to be the voice of those whose voices are being silenced, those who are marginalized, those who are pushed aside, and those who are being excluded from the system. Because we know and are aware: The blood flowing in our geography, the tears shed, the resources plundered, the cities destroyed, the lives lost... All of these are actually individual results. At the source of these results lies injustice, double standards, and perhaps most importantly, a lack of conscience.

"LET'S MAKE THE WORLD A HOME FOR THE RIGHTEOUS"

Here is the spirit of D-8, to protest against all of this. This is not only a matter of today but also of tomorrow. This is our generation's debt to future generations. We believe this: Nations with will, leaders with a living conscience, and countries that adopt solidarity as a principle have the power to change the world. Let us together make the world a home not only for the powerful but also for the righteous."