We still have time to construct a peaceful future

A legitimate, sustainable and just peace can be attained through diplomacy / By Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye

We are witnessing an era characterized by uncertainties, crises, and conflicts threatening peace and stability worldwide. Since the end of the Cold War, and especially over the past two decades, a wide spectrum of new threats emerged, testing not only Europe but the entire international system.

Do we still have enough time to learn from history and adjust our policies and strategies to construct a peaceful future? Or is it already too late?

The structures at the international level are being contested daily. Discussions on great power rivalries and challenges of the international system are on the rise again. The emergence of hybrid and cyber threats has taken us to a new reality where the rules of war and peace have been rewritten. Gray zones that can be defined as neither war nor peace abound.

Threat multipliers such as climate change, lack of food security, cyber threats and migration bring the concept of human security to the fore. Türkiye is at the very center of a region where these processes of change and crises are deeply felt.

In this complex equation, we experienced – and are still experiencing – two new major shocks in the last two years: the coronavirus pandemic and Russia’s war in Ukraine.

The pandemic reminded us once again of the importance of resilience and solidarity. It affected the entire world in a short span of time and further accelerated the major negative trends recently observed in international relations.

As we were just recovering from the negative effects of the pandemic, hoping and praying for a brighter future, we woke up to a war, which marked the return of geopolitics. The heart of Europe is facing the most severe crisis since the Second World War.

Türkiye is deeply feeling all the effects of this war that started between our two important neighbors in the Black Sea. From the very beginning, Türkiye supported the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders and extended comprehensive humanitarian and political support. Security and stability in the Black Sea basin have been among our top priorities for decades.

The Black Sea, surrounded by 6 littoral states is a closed sea of strategic importance. Having the longest coastline in the Black Sea and being home to the Turkish Straits that connect the Black Sea to the rest of the world’s oceans and seas, Türkiye has diverse interests in the region. It has always supported and worked for the continuation of peace and stability in the region. Türkiye qualified the Russian aggression as “war” at its inception and invoked Article 19 of the Montreux Convention accordingly.

This meant the closure of the Turkish Straits to the military vessels of the Russian Federation and Ukraine. Although non-belligerents are not affected by this decision, Türkiye has also advised all states not to undertake passages of warships through the Turkish Straits. This policy aimed at preventing the Black Sea area from turning into a military confrontation zone and it has been successful.

Furthermore, we have spared no effort to help bring an end to the war in Ukraine. We hosted the Ukraine-Russia talks as a facilitator in Antalya and Istanbul. Cognizant of the challenges posed by the rising energy costs, growing inflation and impending food crisis stemming from the war in Ukraine, we played a key expediting role in the UN plan for the safe export of Ukrainian grain through the Black Sea. The deal for the export of Ukrainian grain reached in Istanbul on July 22 is a historic achievement and has been hailed as such globally.

The operation is conducted from the Joint Coordination Center in Istanbul, with the participation of Türkiye, Ukraine, Russia and the UN. We sincerely hope that both sides will abide by the word and the spirit of this agreement and that this initiative will also contribute to the resumption of meaningful dialogue among the parties with the aim of reaching a just peace.

The conflict is posing many political, economic and security challenges not only to Europe but also to the international community. We still believe that a legitimate, sustainable and just peace can be attained through diplomacy. To this end, we are resolved to continue our efforts to revive the diplomatic track between Russia and Ukraine.

Within the EU, external as well as internal challenges have sparked debates on the future of European integration. As the EU leaders pointed out at the Versailles Summit on March 11, the war is a “tectonic shift in European history”.

It is clear that this is the very time to discuss the future of European security architecture.

Finland and Sweden’s applications for NATO membership, Germany’s increase in defense expenditures, Switzerland’s approach to neutrality, “European Geopolitical/Political Community” debates, the EU granting candidate status to Ukraine and Moldova and NATO’s new Strategic Concept are among the important recent developments in this context.

Our belief in humanity’s ability to construct a better future remains as firm as our foreign policy principles and goals. Located in the midst of a volatile region, we are aware that the path towards a peaceful tomorrow is not smooth; but our intention is clear, while our determination is sincere and strong.

Türkiye is in the unique position of linking the East and West. As such, we have many interests and responsibilities in both.

Türkiye has been a solid NATO ally for the last 70 years and considers the transatlantic link vital for peace and security. Türkiye continues to maintain its commitment to the goal of EU membership and to follow constructive policies to develop cooperation and dialogue in every field. If the EU wants to be a global actor – especially in view of today’s volatile geopolitical environment – it has to find ways and means to face its responsibilities and live up to its commitments, including towards Türkiye.

To revisit the question of whether it is too late to construct a peaceful future, our answer is clear: It is never too late. But committed and sincere efforts are needed from all parties now if we are to leave behind a better world for future generations.

While rising up to the challenges posed by current developments, we need realistic assessments, policies, and solutions.

We cannot afford war and we still have the means to craft peace. Türkiye has been working and will continue to work hard to attain that peace.