Ankara: UN Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix announced plans to enhance Trkiye's participation in peacekeeping missions, emphasizing the country's crucial contributions to global peace initiatives. Lacroix's remarks came during his visit to Trkiye, where he engaged in discussions aimed at bolstering international peacekeeping efforts.
According to Anadolu Agency, Lacroix highlighted the longstanding and robust cooperation between the UN and Trkiye, citing Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' recent visit to the country as evidence of this partnership. Lacroix noted that Trkiye supports peacekeeping operations through personnel deployment, particularly police and officers, as well as through training and capacity-building initiatives.
Lacroix praised the performance and professionalism of Turkish peacekeepers, especially in Africa, describing their contributions as remarkable. He expressed hope that financial constraints faced by the UN would soon improve, allowing for an increased role for Trkiye in peacekeeping missions.
During his visit, Lacroix also toured the Turkish Police Academy, which provides extensive peacekeeping training. He underscored the importance of collaboration with member states like Trkiye in areas such as training, security, and combating disinformation. Lacroix highlighted Trkiye's expertise in utilizing digital technologies and equipping peacekeepers as critical to successful UN operations.
Lacroix further discussed Trkiye's involvement in Kosovo, commending the country's cooperation with both the NATO-led Kosovo Force (KFOR) and the UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK). He emphasized the importance of integrating political leadership with efforts to unite societies for effective peacebuilding.
Addressing recent tensions involving Israeli attacks on Lebanon and incidents targeting peacekeepers, Lacroix stressed the responsibility of conflict parties to protect peacekeepers, warning that attacks on them may constitute war crimes. He reiterated the distinction between peacekeeping and warfare, emphasizing that peacekeepers operate under different mandates.
Lacroix concluded by affirming the UN's commitment to enhancing the safety and security of peacekeeping personnel. He expressed gratitude to Turkish peacekeepers for their invaluable contributions in challenging conditions, highlighting the significant impact they make in protecting civilians and maintaining peace.