STOCKHOLM (AA) – Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, Numan Kurtulmuş, said: We must intensify our efforts towards the creation of a new global economic and political architecture. Our President’s statement: ‘The world is bigger than five.’ The phrase reflects this fundamental need for change. Therefore, what is needed today more than ever is a renewed commitment to dialogue, negotiation and mediation for peace.
he said. Kurtulmuş attended the round table meeting of the Swedish Institute of International Relations in Stockholm, the capital of Sweden, where he paid an official visit, and met with academics, representatives of think tanks and diplomats. In his speech here, Kurtulmuş expressed his pleasure in participating in the program organized at the Swedish Institute of International Relations, within the scope of his contacts in Sweden, to make evaluations about Türkiye’s place in the changing world, the future of Europe, the direction of NATO, the renewal of the international system, the search for peace and justice, and the role of parliamentary diplomacy in addressing these issues.
Drawing attention to the historical relations between Sweden and Türkiye, Kurtulmuş emphasized that the relations have gained a more strategic character with Sweden’s accession to NATO in 2024. Pointing out that we are witnessing one of the most interesting periods of modern history, Kurtulmuş stated that what is happening in the world today is not just a temporary turbulence or a series of local crises. Kurtulmuş stated that in this period when conflicts, tensions and wars became widespread, the sovereign rights of nations were clearly violated, crimes against humanity and genocide against the Palestinian people in Gaza were witnessed.
At the same time, Kurtulmuş stated that there is a radical transformation and noted that migration, climate crisis and rapid technological advances are reshaping the way of understanding societies and the world. Stating that the unipolar or bipolar world system has ended and a polycentric world has already emerged, Kurtulmuş said that the structure, rules and institutions of this new era still remain unclear. Stating that Russia’s war against Ukraine, which has been going on for more than 4 years, the war launched by Israel and America against Iran, and Iran’s response that spread the conflict to the Gulf region and the Middle East, are striking examples of the current uncertain period, Kurtulmuş said: The war imposed on Iran also reveals the limits of security and stability in the Gulf and the wider Middle East unless there is a reliable regional security architecture.
We are moving towards complex forms of multipolarity, where the interests of major powers increasingly intersect with the interests of regional actors. In such a system, no power can easily impose its will. This makes the search for compromise and the establishment of new partnerships more important than ever. made his evaluations. Stating that the rules-based international order has suffered serious erosion in terms of both legitimacy and function, Kurtulmuş said, “Institutions still exist, but their effects are increasingly limited.” The United Nations Security Council’s capacity to prevent crises and end wars has been rendered ineffective mainly by the veto power of its permanent members.
he said. Emphasizing that the Russia-Ukraine war, the war imposed on Iran, the genocide in Gaza and the apartheid regime implemented against the Palestinian people in the West Bank are clear reflections of this disintegration and that Palestine is a test of conscience for humanity, Kurtulmuş continued his words as follows: When Gaza is destroyed and this situation is described as an “operation”, when the discourse of “fighting terrorism” is used to commit genocide, when humanitarian aid convoys are blocked, “security When the occupation is presented as a ‘precautionary measure’ and the occupation is seen as a ‘fait accompli’, we witness a new erosion in the conscience and common language of humanity.
When institutions are weakened, rules are violated, and concepts are distorted, law begins to collapse. – We want to use this rich heritage and our geopolitical reach to support peace in Europe and beyond. Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, Kurtulmuş, pointed out that as global crises become increasingly intertwined, the capacity for collective action is weakening. Crises and challenges are deeply interconnected and require coordinated global responses.
But instead of cooperation, we often see fragmentation, competition and lack of trust. he said. Emphasizing that the main goal should be to build a new and fair global system together, Kurtulmuş said: We must intensify our efforts towards the creation of a new global economic and political architecture. Our President’s statement: ‘The world is bigger than five.’ The phrase reflects this fundamental need for change. Therefore, what is needed today more than ever is a renewed commitment to dialogue, negotiation and mediation for peace.
he said. Stating that, as European countries, we need to increase cooperation and solidarity on common issues, Kurtulmuş said: One of our issues is the security and defense of the European continent. Two NATO Summits will be held in Türkiye. The first is the NATO Parliamentary Summit to be held in Istanbul on 28-29 June, and the second is the NATO Heads of State and Government Summit to be held in Ankara on 7-8 July.
These summits will be historic opportunities to reaffirm the political unity and strategic objectives of the Alliance. It will also serve as an opportunity to emphasize the importance of strategic transatlantic ties. NATO is the guarantor of collective security in the Euro-Atlantic region. We must work to strengthen this assurance. However, in my opinion, NATO, in addition to being a defense organization with strong military deterrence capabilities, should develop a political vision aimed at the establishment and fortification of peace.
NATO’s true success will lie not only in protecting the security of its members, but also in advancing and promoting just and lasting political solutions in neighboring regions. In this regard, the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, which represents NATO’s democratic legitimacy, can and should play a strong role in linking defense policy to the broader goal of the consolidation of peace. By bringing together elected representatives from NATO member states and neighboring regions, the NATO Parliamentary Assembly can promote dialogue, improve mutual understanding and contribute to political engagement that promotes peace.
Stating that Türkiye is ready to actively contribute to European security and defense, Kurtulmuş said: Principles such as dialogue, complementarity, inclusiveness and solidarity should be respected. Ensuring stability and security in Europe should be the common goal and responsibility of all Europeans. Discrimination is not in the best interest of those who encourage it in the first place. History, geography and geopolitics clearly show that Türkiye is in Europe.
Failure to accept this reality means a lack of strategic vision and a break from reality. We also have strong ties with Asia, the Middle East and even Africa. We want to use this rich heritage and our geopolitical reach to promote peace in Europe and beyond. he said. Kurtulmuş also answered questions after his speech.
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