Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, Numan Kurtulmuş, said, “We believe that it is essential for the Balkans to continue on its path in the triangle of stability, trust and prosperity, in line with the common interests of the Balkan peoples, by bringing together all political approaches and ideas in the Balkans. We follow every development in the Balkans closely and meticulously.”
Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, Numan Kurtulmuş, met with the Speaker of the Croatian Parliament, Gordan Jandrokovi, in his office in the Parliament. The duo then held a joint press conference at the Turkish Grand National Assembly Ceremony Hall. Expressing that the two countries have a common attitude on global and regional issues, Kurtulmuş said, “I would like to thank the Croatian people for the schools that Croatia built in Adıyaman, Hatay and Kahramanmaraş after the February 6 Kahramanmaraş earthquakes. The consequences of the war launched by Russia-Ukraine, America and Israel against Iran, which concern our region, affecting the whole world, including the war that Israel started first against Gaza for more than 3 years, and then against all the Palestinian people and the people of the region. We have to find a way to solve all these problems at the diplomatic table. I would like to express that the Russia-Ukraine war has a very close impact on our country and the European countries, including Croatia. We are talking about a war that has no results and that is very difficult for any side to win with military force. As Turkey, our stance on this issue is clear; we must find a fair and equitable solution that both parties can accept as soon as possible. “For this, it is necessary to start negotiations and get results as soon as possible,” he said.
“We follow every development in the Balkans closely and meticulously.”
Stating that peace, security, stability and development should be taken as the basis in the Balkan countries, Kurtulmuş said, “In this regard, we believe that it is essential to bring together all political approaches and ideas in the Balkans and to continue on the path of the Balkans in the triangle of stability, trust and prosperity in line with the common interests of the Balkan people. We follow every development in the Balkans closely and meticulously. Likewise, we believe that the three maritime initiatives initiated by Croatia with Poland are important and valuable. Adriatic, “The security of the Baltic and Black Seas affects each other, and therefore we think that the security of the three seas is important. As Turkey, we continue to be a strategic partner of the three seas initiative. Last year, first I, as the Speaker of the Turkish Grand National Assembly, and then our Minister of Foreign Affairs attended the meeting,” he said.
“We are of the opinion that cooperation with countries in the Balkans, Southeastern Europe and within the framework of the three sea initiatives will make serious contributions to the security of energy supply, especially in the Central Corridor on the East-West axis.”
Emphasizing that they are open to cooperation with friendly countries, especially Croatia, Kurtulmuş said, “We are of the opinion that cooperation with countries in the Balkans, Southeastern Europe and within the framework of the three sea initiatives will actually make serious contributions to the security of energy supply, especially in the Central Corridor on the East-West axis. I hope that my counterpart’s visit will be an extremely important opportunity to develop and increase the positive agenda between us. In addition, we will continue to increase our contacts through our friendship groups.” “I believe,” he said.
“We purchased Bayraktar from Türkiye, our experts received training for it in Türkiye.”
Croatian Parliament Speaker Gordan Jandrokovi said, “We purchased Bayraktar from Türkiye. Our experts received training on it in Türkiye and integrated these vehicles into our defense industry. Our company and the Turkish company cooperated. There are really many problematic areas in the world, and that is why we believe that the relationship between these two countries should be improved. That is why our visit today is very important.”
“Whoever is involved in this should be swabbed through their noses.”
Then Kurtulmuş and Jandrokovi answered journalists’ questions. In response to a press member’s question about the investigation initiated regarding the transactions in the capital markets, Kurtulmuş said, “What we are really facing is an extraordinarily serious, comprehensive and deep crisis. It is essential to address this openly. It is our nation’s expectation that whoever is involved in this business, who gains illicit profits, who pursues illicit money, whoever they reach out to, and to whatever extent they go, will be held accountable. If the public officials in charge of this funding crisis have any mistakes or negligence, they should also be held accountable. Never this issue.” It should not be ignored, it should not be ignored. This is our nation’s expectation, this is the requirement of justice. They are trying to create resources for the payment of the rights of our victimized citizens, but as a result, they need to be worked very carefully. I listened to the statements of our Minister of Justice carefully and I would like to express that this is the most important issue of the majority of our nation. “Türkiye should not waste any more time on this issue. The victims’ receivables should be paid as soon as possible and those involved in this matter should be held accountable,” he said.
“We continue on our way with the support of the vast majority”
Responding to the question regarding the “Terror-Free Türkiye” process and the Monitoring Commission planned to be established in the Turkish Grand National Assembly in this context, Kurtulmuş said:
“We set out to solve the most difficult, heavy and burning problem of the first century of the Republic of Turkey. Compared to other conflict resolutions, the distance we have come in these 2 years is greater. Therefore, the vast majority here has made a very positive contribution. Turkish politics, with almost all its parties, has embraced this issue and brought it to this point. A report was prepared, a law was passed, to which 467 people said ‘yes’. These are not very easy tasks, it may seem so when the results are obtained, but you have followed how the processes developed. I would like to touch on a few points here; all We carried out the processes in an open and transparent manner. We made efforts to bring different political parties to a common point, even on the smallest detail. Thank God, we listened to the opinions of everyone who had an opinion on this issue. Therefore, we continue on our path by listening to all relevant parties in this openness and transparency and receiving the support of the majority of our nation. “The vast majority have embraced the issue and are supporting it.”
