Turkey’s president said on Monday that “the UN failed once again.”
“The United Nations, which acknowledged the existence of the [coronavirus]pandemic weeks later, did not show any presence in terms of taking thenecessary measures to combat the pandemic or meeting the needs,” RecepTayyip Erdogan said after a Cabinet meeting in the capital Ankara,recounting the early days of the outbreak.
“The UN, which failed at every front from Syria to the humanitarian crisisin Yemen, to developments in volatile regions such as Africa and SouthAmerica, has failed once again during the pandemic,” he added.
On the eve of the UN’s 75th meeting, the Turkish president went on to say:“At a time when Turkey alone is sending medical supplies to 146 countries,the ineffectiveness of the UN was established once more.”
He underlined that since the start of the pandemic, Turkey has been amongthe countries that were cited globally in terms of both measures taken andservices provided to patients.
Recalling eight vaccination development programs for COVID-19, he saidTurkey is planning to make these available for public use by the the firstfew months of next year.
The world’s largest annual diplomatic event, the UN General Assembly(UNGA), will take place this year in an unprecedented fashion as worldleaders for the first time will gather virtually due to the coronaviruspandemic.
Although the virus may distract attention from other topics on the agenda,world leaders and representatives are expected to address climate change,racism, intolerance, inequality, poverty, hunger, and armed conflict.
Eastern Mediterranean
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Pointing to recent developments in the Eastern Mediterranean, he said:“Those who have been trying to ignore Turkey, impose their theses and mapsin the Eastern Mediterranean, are [now] approaching the negotiating table.”
“Those who turn their backs on historical facts, international conventions,customs, and visible truths for the sake of protecting the interests of afew countries on the Cyprus and Eastern Mediterranean issue, will havenothing to say to the world,” he added.
“Those who try to upset the balance of the region and the world justbecause of their hostility to Turkey are digging their own grave.
“We are resolutely continuing our operations to secure our southernborders,” he added.
Greece has disputed Turkey’s energy exploration in the EasternMediterranean, trying to box in Turkish maritime territory based on smallislands near the Turkish coast.
Turkey – the country with the longest coastline on the Mediterranean – hassent out drill ships to explore for energy on its continental shelf, sayingthat both Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus have rights inthe region.
To reduce tensions, Turkey has consistently called for dialogue to ensurethe fair sharing of the region’s resources. – Anadolu Agency
