Ankara: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called for the abolition of the UN veto mechanism on Thursday, urging a shift from a system that protects only five members to one that encompasses all member states and a stronger, more effective General Assembly.
According to Anadolu Agency,Speaking to journalists at the Turkish House (Trkevi) in New York, Erdogan said the existing structure, in which the will of more than 190 countries is constrained by the veto powers of five permanent members, cannot adequately uphold global stability and justice.
"Let the veto mechanism be abolished. Let us move from a UN model that protects only five members to a mechanism that encompasses all members," he said.
He also called for a stronger and more effective General Assembly, proposing a system in which elected members serve for defined terms and must regain the international community's confidence if they seek re-election.
"The world no longer needs new walls, but new bridges," Erdogan said.
The president's remarks came after his participation in the 81st session of the UN General Assembly, where he reiterated Trkiye's support for multilateralism and emphasized the need for a more inclusive and equitable global system.
"This unjust structure cannot maintain global stability and peace, uphold the fundamental principles it espouses, or fulfill its promise to humanity," he said.
"The issue is not simply about Trkiye having a greater say; it is about ensuring that Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Islamic world, Europe and all other regions are fairly represented in the global system through their own experiences and their own will," the president further added.
Gaza and Middle East peace
Addressing the situation in Gaza, Erdogan said lasting peace in the Middle East would not be possible without ending the bloodshed, establishing a permanent ceasefire and ensuring Palestinians have a dignified future in their own homeland.
He said the willingness demonstrated under the peace plan was significant, adding that almost all parties, including Hamas, had taken positive steps and expressed their desire for a solution.
However, he accused Israel of continuing its attacks and undermining peace efforts.
"The international community, particularly the United States, must make Israel comply with this plan," he said.
Erdogan emphasized that ending the war alone would not be sufficient, calling for mechanisms to prevent renewed conflict, accelerated reconstruction in Gaza and guarantees for the political future of the Palestinian people.
"The humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza continues to exist, even if the world looks away," he said.
Erdogan said his long-standing stance at the UN had remained consistent, arguing that conflicts in Syria, Iraq, Ukraine and Gaza confirmed the concerns he had raised over the years.
Erdogan said UN reform could have prevented conflicts and wars around the world, pointing to Mahmoud Abbas' absence from the UN for two consecutive years as evidence of deepening injustice in the international system.
"Had UN reform been carried out in those years, preventing conflicts and wars in our region and around the world today would have been entirely possible," he said.
"Our issue is not being against any country, but being against injustice," he said, adding that the world was increasingly moving toward the position Trkiye had advocated from the beginning.
Trkiye-US relations
Erdogan said Trkiye and the US aim to make 2027, which marks the 100th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, a milestone year for bilateral ties.
He said he and US President Donald Trump shared similar views on the importance of the anniversary and expressed a desire to develop relations between the two countries.
"Next year marks the 100th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations with the United States. We aim to make the most of this important history between the two friendly countries," Erdogan said.
He also highlighted progress in bilateral cooperation under Trump's administration, including discussions on Trkiye's potential return to the F-35 program and ongoing talks concerning Eurofighter jets with the UK.
F-35 program and defense industry
On Trkiye's possible return to the F-35 program, Erdogan said Trump had expressed a positive position regarding the country's return during their discussions at NATO.
"We expect this will now turn into concrete steps," he said, adding that contacts on the issue were continuing.
Erdogan also emphasized the importance of Trkiye's domestic defense industry, citing the KAAN fighter jet, air defense systems and other national defense capabilities.
He said discussions with the UK on the Eurofighter program were also continuing and stressed that Trkiye would continue working toward its security and strategic objectives.
Terror-Free Trkiye process
Erdogan said the Terror-Free Trkiye process was not a short-term matter but an effort to resolve a problem that had affected the country for nearly half a century.
He said the Turkish parliament had established a legal framework and that relevant institutions were monitoring the process.
For the framework to be implemented, the terrorist PKK organization must physically lay down its arms and complete the disbandment process, he said, adding that procedures for verification and confirmation had been established.
"The process is progressing step by step under the control of the relevant units," Erdogan said.
He expressed confidence that Trkiye would close the chapter on terrorism through national unity and solidarity, adding that the government remained determined to advance the process.
Black Sea must not become a front in Russia-Ukraine war
Erdogan said that Trkiye was stepping up efforts to re-establish the Black Sea grain corridor, emphasizing the importance of maritime security and preventing the Russia-Ukraine war from spreading.
"Black Sea security is very important for us and our region. The Black Sea is not a front in this war and must never become one," Erdogan said, adding that restoring safe navigation would help ensure food security and prevent the conflict from spreading.
He said Trkiye had clearly stated that it did not accept attacks on commercial vessels in the Black Sea, regardless of who carried them out, and expected the parties to act responsibly.
Erdogan added that Ankara was accelerating its diplomatic efforts to restore the grain corridor and had discussed the issue with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, from whom he received a positive response.
Mecca Defense Agreement
Erdogan described the Mecca Defense Agreement as a strong step in the right direction, saying its institutionalization would strengthen the initiative and provide a foundation for regional solutions to regional problems.
"Those who come from outside and prescribe security solutions for our region have often left behind greater instability. We have all witnessed this," Erdogan said.
He added that Trkiye had the experience to withstand provocations and avoid traps, expressing confidence in the agreement's future.
"We trust our country and our people, and we trust our brothers," he said.
Strait of Hormuz
Erdogan said the situation in the Strait of Hormuz shows that the issue is no longer confined to Iran and the US, stressing the need to maintain freedom of navigation through the strategic waterway.
'Every tension in the Strait of Hormuz directly affects not only regional countries but also Europe, Asia, energy markets, transportation and the daily lives of millions of people,' Erdogan said.
He reiterated Trkiye's opposition to the closure of the strait to maritime traffic, warning that the sharp decline in commercial shipping in recent months has highlighted the scale of the crisis.
'??Hormuz must be opened as the key to resolving problems through dialogue and negotiations,' he said, adding that the priority should be opening new diplomatic channels rather than new fronts.
Trkiye-Iraq relations
Erdogan said relations between Trkiye and Iraq had gained positive momentum following the visit of Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi to Ankara.
He said discussions with Iraqi officials included the future administration of Sinjar, where he stated that Iraqi government authority would be established, as well as the handover of the Basika base.
"With our neighbor Iraq, we now want to talk more about the Development Road Project, increasing our mutual trade volume, stability, peace and prosperity, rather than terrorism," he said.
Erdogan expressed confidence that the bilateral relationship would continue to develop.
Trkiye-Greece relations
Responding to a question about Greece's upcoming elections and statements concerning Trkiye's F-35 requirements, Erdogan said Ankara was not concerned with the internal politics of its neighbors.
"Our issue is Trkiye's rights and security, and the preservation of peace and tranquility in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean," he said.
He described Greece as Trkiye's neighbor and NATO ally, stressing that bilateral relations were too important to be used as election material.
"We have focused on our own agenda, and we are now concerned with our own affairs," Erdogan said.
'Climate change now requires action, not words'
Erdogan said Trkiye would present its climate action measures and roadmaps at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP31), which it will host in Antalya from Nov. 9 to 20.
He described COP31 as more than a climate conference, saying it would provide a platform for developing countries to voice their expectations and discuss concrete outcomes.
"Climate change now requires action, not words," he said, emphasizing that developed countries have a responsibility to support nations facing financing difficulties.
Erdogan said Trkiye's COP31 summit would represent an important milestone in international efforts to address climate change.