Turkey’s Grand National Assembly Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş and the Chairperson of the Federation Council of Russia, Valentina Matviyenko, recently held a press conference addressing the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Kurtulmuş expressed Turkey’s readiness to support peace efforts and facilitate negotiations to ensure peace is achieved. The two leaders met in Turkey during Matviyenko’s official visit, where they engaged in fruitful discussions on various critical issues affecting both countries, the region, and the world.
Building Strong Bilateral Relations
Kurtulmuş highlighted the historic and strategic cooperation between Turkey and Russia, emphasizing the need to further enhance economic, trade, educational, cultural, tourism, and energy ties. While the current bilateral trade volume surpasses $54 billion, both leaders aim to elevate it to $100 billion. Kurtulmuş also mentioned the positive growth in tourism, with hopes of exceeding 7 million Russian tourists visiting Turkey in the upcoming year. Additionally, he touched upon the progress of the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant project, which is expected to commence operations soon.
Furthermore, Kurtulmuş commended the collaborative efforts between Turkey, Russia, and the United States in Istanbul to address regional peace-related matters. He emphasized the significance of maintaining open dialogue and diplomacy to resolve conflicts and promote mutual interests effectively. The ongoing efforts between the two countries and their leaders, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and President Vladimir Putin, underscore the increasing cooperation and shared objectives in various fields.
Promoting Peace and Diplomacy
During their discussions, Kurtulmuş and Matviyenko also tackled global issues, particularly the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Kurtulmuş reiterated Turkey’s consistent stance on the conflict, advocating for dialogue, peace, and a diplomatic resolution to prevent further loss of innocent lives and infrastructure destruction. He mentioned Turkey’s role in facilitating prisoner exchanges and upholding the Montreux Convention to prevent the conflict’s escalation. Kurtulmuş expressed optimism regarding the recent peace initiatives and Turkey’s commitment to supporting peacebuilding efforts as a neighbor to both countries.
Moreover, the leaders deliberated on the reconstruction and urban development plans in Syria post the 13-year civil war, emphasizing the importance of ensuring Syria’s territorial integrity, establishing an inclusive governance system, and eradicating terrorist groups. Kurtulmuş conveyed Turkey’s expectations from the new Syrian administration and the need for international support in rebuilding the country and cities.
Kurtulmuş also condemned Israel’s aggressive actions against the Palestinian people, stressing the urgency of a two-state solution and Russia’s strong support for the cause. He underscored the need for solidarity with the Palestinian population and the preservation of their rights and territories. The leaders engaged in detailed discussions on these matters, highlighting the shared perspectives and commitment to resolving practical challenges for mutual benefits.
In conclusion, Kurtulmuş expressed confidence in the continuous collaboration between Turkey and Russia, particularly through parliamentary friendship groups and ongoing initiatives to address common concerns and overcome obstacles. The meeting was attended by several Turkish officials, including Gülizar Biçer Karaca, Mehmet Satuk Buğra Kavuncu, Murat Baybatur, Yahya Çelik, Sadettin Hülagü, İbrahim Ethem Sedef, Talip Uzun, and Ali Murat Nas, reflecting the collective commitment to fostering strong bilateral relations and regional stability. The engagement between Turkey and Russia signifies a strategic partnership aimed at promoting peace, prosperity, and diplomatic solutions to complex global challenges.
