By Merve Aydogan
HAMILTON, Canada (AA) - Türkiye's Deputy Foreign Ministry Ahmet Yildiz emphasized the significance of security, stability and prosperity Wednesday in the Mediterranean at the UN Security Council.
Saying that the Mediterranean region is the cradle of many civilizations and intersects with historical, cultural, as well as various challenges, Yildiz noted the significant contribution of youth to combating security challenges.
"Their energy, creativity, and determination are essential assets in our quest for peace and security in this region," he said at a meeting on "the role of young persons in addressing security challenges in the Mediterranean."
Highlighting the comprehensive and multifaceted nature of the challenges in the Mediterranean, including political instability, conflict, terrorism, climate change, irregular migration, and socio-economic inequalities, he said, "Young people bear the brunt of conflicts, poverty, and lack of opportunities. But young people are also powerful agents of change. They have the ability to mobilize communities, challenge the status quo, and drive meaningful progress."
Noting the need to listen to the demands of the youth for peace and security, Yildiz said empowering youth for peace and stability through education, skill development and inclusion in decision-making processes is essential.
Yildiz appreciated the leading role of youth in combating climate change, stressing it is one of the most important challenges of the era.
He warned that the Mediterranean region is warming 20% faster than the global average, which will exert additional pressure on the already fragile ecosystems, economies and societies in the region.
Emphasizing the need to strengthen existing regional mechanisms for combating climate change, Yildiz recalled the role of the Union for the Mediterranean and the Barcelona Convention in facilitating coordination and cooperation among member countries on climate issues.
- 'Mediterranean is one of the world's deadliest migration routes'
He noted Türkiye's significant progress in combating climate change during its presidency of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP22) and highlighted the contribution of the "Climate Change Regional Activity Centre" in Istanbul.
Saying that the "Mediterranean is one of the world's deadliest migration routes," Yildiz stressed that "thousands, including young people fleeing poverty, conflict and unthinkable atrocities have died or disappeared crossing the central and eastern Mediterranean."
While Libya continues to grapple with instability, Yildiz emphasized the need to also focus on the situation in Syria.
Regarding Gaza, he said, "2.2 million people in Gaza continue to live in a state of crisis under the relentless bombardment. Thousands of lives were cut short. Lives of children and young people are surrounded by unspeakable horrors, deprived of water, food and shelter. Yet, in the sixth month of the conflict, the Security Council is still unable to stop this unacceptable man-made catastrophe."
Emphasizing the importance of security and security, stability and prosperity in the Mediterranean for Türkiye, Yildiz said, "Türkiye has an immense stake in the security, stability and prosperity of the Mediterranean region."
"Conflicts affecting over a quarter of the world's population are in Türkiye's wider neighborhood. Hence, peaceful conflict resolution and mediation are among the priorities of Turkish foreign policy," he added.
Yildiz noted that Türkiye initiated the "Mediation for Peace Initiative" with Finland at the UN in 2010, which led to the establishment of the rapidly growing "Group of Friends of Mediation" in 2011.
"Young people are natural bridge-builders," said Yildiz, noting that harnessing the potential of the youth would contribute to building trust and respect among societies in the Mediterranean.
He continued by pledging Türkiye's full support to the fair, equal and peaceful resolution of regional problems, including the equitable delimitation of maritime jurisdiction areas and the fair sharing of hydrocarbon resources within the framework of the principle of fairness.
Yildiz recalled Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's proposal for an Eastern Mediterranean Conference, saying that it could be an important step toward a long-term solution and reiterated that the proposal is still on the table.
Stressing a settlement on the Cyprus issue would contribute to the security and prosperity of the entire Eastern Mediterranean region, Yildiz said, "The time has come to focus on bottom-up approaches, corresponding to current realities on the Island, based on the inherent sovereign equality and equal international status of both sides."
"Türkiye will continue to be actively engaged in all regional and international efforts towards achieving peace, stability, prosperity and combating climate change in the Mediterranean region," he said.