Turkey’s Defense Minister Hulusi Akar gave a keynote speech on Wednesday at a webinar organized by a London-based think thank.
The event, Turkey in a Changing Global and Regional Security Environment was held by the Centre for British-Turkish Understanding.
“TURKEY WILL CONTINUE TO SUPPORT AZERBAIJAN AS IT PROTECTS ITS PEOPLE”
Akar talked about Turkey and the UK’s special relationship, as well as Turkey’s positions on regional issues ranging from the burning conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh to the Eastern Mediterranean. Ties between Turkey and the UK are “deep-rooted” and have a “historical background,” Akar said.
Looking to the future, Akar said post-Brexit the UK would be a non-EU NATO ally, just like Turkey.
Turning his attention to tensions that have recently flared once again, Akar said Armenia had shown that it remained “the greatest obstacle to peace and stability in the region.”
He said: “We strongly condemn these attacks which constitute a clear violation of international law. The illegal occupation of Nagorno-Karabakh and its surrounding regions has led to over one million internally displaced people in Azerbaijan. In order to achieve peace and stability in the region, the Armenian occupation of these areas has to end. Turkey stands in solidarity with and will continue to support Azerbaijan as it protects its people and territorial integrity.”
In the Aegean, Akar said: “The core of these disputes are the excessive and unilateral claims by Greece and Greek Cypriots, which violate the sovereign rights of both Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots.” He pointed to Greece violating the de-militarized status of islands such as Meis/Kastellorizo.
He said Turkey had no interest in violating any country’s legitimate rights, and firmly underlined that Turkey is in favor of resolving all outstanding problems with Greece through international law, goodwill and negotiations. He asked allies to apply objectivity and common sense when comparing Greek and Turkish claims in the region.