Turkish president calls for unity against terrorism
In message on UN anniversary, Recep Tayyip Erdogan calls on members to cooperate
International cooperation is key to fighting terrorism, Turkey’s president said Saturday in a statement to mark the 70th anniversary of the UN.
“To fight against terrorist organizations such as Daesh, al-Qaeda, the PKK, the YPG and the DHKP-C, all UN member states should be in solidarity,” Recep Tayyip Erdogan said.
Turkey has been fighting a 31-year conflict with the Kurdish terrorist group the PKK and also considers its Syrian affiliate the YPG, to be a terror organization. The far-left Revolutionary People's Liberation Party-Front (DHKP-C) has also carried out terror attacks in Turkey.
Both the PKK and the DHKP-C are designated terror organizations by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU. Turkey also proclaims the People’s Protection Units (YPG) a terrorist group.
In the statement, Erdogan accused the UN Security Council of failing to properly respond to recent conflicts.
“It is extremely important to reform the Security Council according to the present conditions so that it can become more representative, democratic, transparent, effective and accountable,” he said.
The structure of the Security Council, which has remained unchanged since 1945, faces criticism because of the dominance of Britain, China, France, Russia and the U.S., who, as permanent members, can veto resolutions.
