On October 26, 2021, I took part, as a Türkiye specialist, in the debate program 28 Minutes, broadcast on the Franco-German channel Arte.
Following the call by ten ambassadors for Osman Kavala’s release, and their subsequent declaration as “persona non grata” in Türkiye, a very serious crisis could have erupted between Ankara and the Western world. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s firm stance, together with the commitment by the ambassadors concerned not to interfere in Türkiye’s internal affairs, helped avert that crisis.
During the program, I explained that Türkiye is a free, independent and sovereign country, that it rejects any interference in its internal affairs, and that the Western world, which constantly lectures Türkiye on human rights, has lost all credibility in this regard.
I also emphasized that, in a new world order where the fate of the world no longer belongs to only five countries, Türkiye, with its expanding sphere of influence from Africa to Central Asia, is becoming not only a regional power, but also a global power.
Finally, I stated that Türkiye seeks to build “honest” relations with the European Union, and that the EU should abandon its language of “sanctions” toward Ankara and focus instead on shared interests with Türkiye.
Source: ARTE
