New York, September 24, 2025 – The Europe Today: In his address to the United Nations General Assembly, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called on the international community to end what he described as the “unjust isolation” of Turkish Cypriots, stressing that the half-century-long practice must not continue.
Erdogan reiterated that Cyprus consists of “two states and two peoples” and affirmed that Turkish Cypriots “will not accept being a minority.” He renewed his call, made in the last three UN General Assemblies, for international recognition of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and the establishment of diplomatic, political, and economic relations with it.
On regional stability, the Turkish leader emphasized Türkiye’s commitment to making the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean “a basin of stability,” based on respect for the legitimate interests of all parties and constructive cooperation.
Calls for Peace
Erdogan reaffirmed Türkiye’s stance that “there are no winners in war, no losers in a just peace,” pledging continued efforts toward a ceasefire in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. He noted Türkiye’s role in facilitating prisoner exchanges, repatriation of bodies, and discussions on modalities for peace negotiations.
Turning to Sudan, he urged the international community to take responsibility for ending the bloodshed and achieving sustainable peace. He welcomed the ceasefire between Pakistan and India earlier this year and expressed hope that the Kashmir issue would be resolved through dialogue on the basis of UN resolutions.
On Syria, Erdogan described the overthrow of the Assad regime in December as the beginning of “a new era,” saying the ultimate beneficiaries of stability would be the Syrian people and the wider region. He voiced support for a unified Syria free from terrorism, particularly ISIS (Daesh).
The president also called for diplomatic resolution of the Iranian nuclear issue, emphasized Iraq’s stability and prosperity through initiatives like the Development Road Project, and praised Azerbaijan and Armenia for steps toward lasting peace, acknowledging the contributions of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, and U.S. President Donald Trump. He further expressed hope for progress in the Somalia-Ethiopia peace process under the Ankara framework.
Strengthening Relations and Reforming Global Order
Erdogan highlighted Türkiye’s strengthening ties with its NATO ally, the United States, particularly in trade, investment, energy, and the defense industry.
Reiterating his longstanding vision of a “more just world,” he declared that Türkiye will persist in advocating for global fairness, asserting that “the world is bigger than five,” in reference to the UN Security Council’s permanent members. He urged reforms to restore the founding spirit of the UN in its 80th year, stressing that the goal should be to repair and improve the system rather than abandon it.
Future of Humanity
Beyond conflicts, Erdogan addressed global issues such as artificial intelligence and social values. He called for AI to be harnessed for the benefit of humanity rather than as a tool of domination, and warned that the institution of family is facing unprecedented threats, pledging that Türkiye will continue to defend it.
