07.10.2025 14:18
In the clashes between the security forces and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which is primarily composed of the PKK/YPG, three people lost their lives in Syria, while a noteworthy message came from President Erdoğan. Speaking at the Turkish States Organization Summit, Erdoğan stated, "We must focus on the unity of Syria. Ensuring security is essential."
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President Erdoğan attended the 12th Summit of the Turkic States Organization held in Gabala at the invitation of Azerbaijani President Aliyev.
During the summit, President Erdoğan made important statements. Here are the highlights from Erdoğan's remarks: "Dear Secretary General, esteemed brothers, I greet you with my heartfelt feelings, respect, and affection. I am very pleased to be in the distinguished city of Gabala, which carries the traces of our deep-rooted history, on the occasion of the 12th Summit of the Turkic States Organization. I thank my esteemed brother, President Japarov of Kyrgyzstan, for his contributions as the outgoing term president. I also express my gratitude to my dear brother, President Aliyev, for his exceptional hospitality and wish him great success in his term presidency.
ERDOĞAN'S CRITICISM OF THE UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
On this occasion, I once again sincerely congratulate the Turkish States Cooperation Day, which we commemorate on October 3rd. In just 16 years, the Organization has added new achievements to its successes recorded under the motto 'unity in language, thought, and work' every passing day. Inshallah, we will continue to increase the number of our successes with this understanding. We are facing an international system where multilateralism is increasingly eroded, and the United Nations Security Council remains indifferent to many issues that wound humanity's conscience. Today, many international and regional organizations are seen as ineffective, almost as burdens on shoulders, because they are not built on noble values such as our common history, culture, and brotherhood. It is of great importance for our organization to transform into a structure that adapts to these changing conditions, displays a common stance on international issues, is trusted in its word, and stands by its people. As Turkey, we find it extremely appropriate and meaningful to determine the theme of our summit as regional peace and security during such a period.
A NEW BREEZE IN THE INTERNATIONAL ARENA: TDT PLUS
In an environment where we are dealing with various security challenges, it is important to strengthen our cooperation while increasing our dialogue with third parties. We do not see our organization as an insular structure. We must implement a vision that expresses its voice and power in interaction with other relevant international organizations and alliances. In this context, I wholeheartedly believe that the TDT Plus format we agreed upon today will bring a new breath to our cooperation with third parties.
As I expressed in our last summit and meetings, we are ready to provide every possible contribution in every area concerning our common interests, especially in capacity building for security, within the framework of our family council. I believe we can respond to terrorism, illegal migration, cyber threats, and climate change with a common stance, and strengthen our security under our own sky. I see the first meeting of the Defense Industry Institutions of the Turkic States Organization held in July as an important step in this regard. I want to emphasize that it is very important for us to continue our efforts to maintain the momentum we have gained.
EMPHASIS ON TWO-STATE SOLUTION AT THE SUMMIT
We believe that the Turkic world can play a more active role in the stability and security of our region in many ways. It is important for our organization to display a determined stance against many conflicts, wars, and violations of international law occurring in our close geography today. The attacks by the Israeli government, starting with Lebanon and Syria, continuing with Yemen and Iran, and finally targeting Qatar, show that the greatest threat to the stability of our region comes from the current administration of this country.
WE MUST MAINTAIN SYRIA'S TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY AND UNITY
The recent developments regarding the cessation of the massacres in Gaza, which have claimed the lives of 66 thousand innocents, are encouraging. We believe that only a two-state solution based on the rights of the Palestinian people, derived from international legitimacy and law, will open the door to lasting and just peace. We are resolutely continuing our efforts in this direction. In Syria, establishing stability is an indispensable necessity for ensuring security in our region and beyond. Despite facing many challenges, the progress made by the Syrian government in the last nine months allows us to look to the future with hope. In this process, we must focus on improving the political, economic, and security environment based on maintaining Syria's territorial integrity and unity, and we should advance our engagement with the Syrian government as Turkic States.
We are not only following the developments in the South Caucasus but also sincerely supporting the steps taken to establish peace and stability in the region. We see the joint statement signed between Azerbaijan and Armenia on August 8 as a positive step in this regard and hope for its continuation. We also welcome the agreement reached in March regarding the determination of the border junction point between Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan. I congratulate Mr. Mirziyoyev and Mr. Japarov for resolving this issue, which has occupied the agenda for many years, with common sense and wisdom. I also extend my congratulations to the Tajik leadership from here.
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