Türkiye's survival in unity in its region proves its strength: Communications director

By Muhammed Enes Calli

ISTANBUL (AA) – Türkiye's survival for the past century in unity and solidarity in a region marked by instability and conflict shows its strength and potential, the country's communications director said.

"The fact that Türkiye has survived in unity and solidarity in its immediate geography, where instability and conflict have been acutely felt over the last century, demonstrates the country's strength and potential," Fahrettin Altun said in an article he penned for a British daily.

The article – titled The Republic of Türkiye is 100 Years Old: From Deep-Rooted Past To Strong Future – was published on Monday by British newspaper Daily Express.

"The Republic, which was reborn from the ashes under the leadership of Ghazi Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, is making steady progress towards its lofty goals, which include the rise, revival, and construction of the Turkish nation and state in accordance with the requirements of the modern age," he said.

- Türkiye's strength of national will

Altun underscored that Türkiye's objective of modernization involves a series of political, economic, and legal reforms and transformations.

"For a century, there has been a consistent will and desire to achieve these goals, albeit occasional attempts by internal and external interventions to derail it.

"On the one hand, the level of democratic and legal institutions and standards was raised, while on the other hand, initiatives for economic and social development were launched," he said in the article which was also published by Russian news agency Interfax.

Turkish nation's response to attempts to usurp its will during elections and its stance during the defeated 2016 coup bid have been the most significant indicators of its own will, Altun stressed.

The Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) and its US-based leader Fetullah Gulen orchestrated the defeated coup on July 15, 2016, which left 253 people dead and 2,734 injured.

"Fair, transparent elections with overwhelming public support held under the supervision of high judges are a key indicator of Türkiye's democratization standard.

"Over time, democratic participation and respect for the will of the ballot box have become more deeply ingrained in Türkiye," he said.

- Türkiye plays its role as 'playmaker' in regional issues

Altun said in the second century of the Republic of Türkiye, apart from political and legal standards, a prosperous Türkiye should be built, especially one that has completed essential infrastructure projects.

The primary result of the infrastructure investments at the local level is the improvement of social welfare, he said, adding that these investments will enable Türkiye to benefit from its potential of strategic location.

"In a world where international trade and production centers, particularly supply chains, are swiftly changing and transforming, Türkiye's strategic geopolitical location is attracting more interest from around the world."

Thanks to the recent achievements, Türkiye is respected in international arena and effectively carries out its role as a "playmaker" in regional issues, especially in the Middle East and the Caucasus, Altun said.

"In the recent Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the solution-oriented political stance put forward under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, which emphasizes the humanitarian aspect of the issue, is indicative of this."

Since last weekend, the Israeli army has widened its air and ground attacks on the Gaza Strip, which has been under relentless airstrikes since the surprise offensive by Palestinian group Hamas on Oct. 7.

More than 10,000 people have been killed in the conflict, including 8,525 Palestinians and more than 1,538 Israelis.

The regional issues including the Russia-Ukraine war and the Karabakh conflict showed that Türkiye has become a leading country in its region, Altun stressed.

- 'The world is bigger than five'

Global challenges have shown the incapability of international bodies such as the UN Security Council in resolving global issues and, in some cases, they worsened the problems, said Altun.

He added that it is evident that international organizations should be established in line with the demands of the new century and taking new balances into account.

"Türkiye is preparing for the new multidimensional and multi-actor international conjuncture in accordance with our President (Recep Tayyip Erdogan)'s motto, The World is Bigger than Five.

"The humanitarian attitude compliant with international laws towards mass migration movements, as well as the solutions outlined in the grain corridor agreement, the consequences of which concern not one region but a much wider geography, particularly Africa, demonstrate Türkiye's effective power and potential in this regard," Altun said.

Türkiye, with the UN, brokered a grain deal in July 2022 between Moscow and Kyiv, which allowed Ukraine to ship grain via the Black Sea and succeeded in bringing down global food prices.

Altun added that Türkiye is determined to play a leading role in combating the environmental and climate crisis in its second century.

On Ankara's efforts to solve the issues through diplomacy, he said: "Türkiye's increasing diplomatic initiatives, particularly in recent years, and the leader-to-leader diplomacy pursued by our President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who pioneered these initiatives, have begun to be decisive in finding solutions to the problems.

"The new century of the Republic will be the Century of Türkiye. This is not an abstract and unrealistic ambition or wish; it is a strong vision based on history, national unity and solidarity, state wisdom, and the capacity to be a state.

"Türkiye's social, economic, and geopolitical position and potential are among the most significant elements that demonstrate the validity and justification of this ambition."