‘Turkey is determined to protect its rights and interests’

* Photo: Anadolu Agency (AA)

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Chaired by President and ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) Chair Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Turkey's National Security Council (NSC) convened at the Presidency in Ankara yesterday (January 28).

In the written statement released after the meeting, it has been emphasized that the country is "determined to protect its rights, relevance and interests emanating from international law and agreements."

"The impacts on our country of the political, military, economic and social developments that took place in the world and in our region in 2020 were thoroughly evaluated within the framework of internal and external issues that are important in terms of our national security, and the developments that might take place in 2021 and possible steps regarding them were discussed," the statement has indicated.

Other highlights from the statement are as follows:

'First diplomacy and dialogue, but...'

"The steps taken to end the presence in our southern neighbors' territories of terrorist organizations, the principal cause of stability in our region, were discussed, and all the international actors that are a party to the issue were called on to fulfill their responsibilities.

"It was stressed once again that Turkey primarily favors diplomacy and dialogue at every platform in settlement of Aegean, Eastern Mediterranean and Cyprus issues, but that it is also determined to protect its rights, relevance and interests emanating from international law and agreements.

"The acts of terror and violence that are on the rise in many countries across various regions and in Africa, especially in Somalia, a friendly and brotherly country for the stability of which we have been making great efforts, were condemned, and it was stated that Turkey will continue to fulfill its responsibilities for the establishment of peace, stability and prosperity." (EKN/SD)