Vatican Ambassador Göktaş: The summit in Antalya is a diplomatic victory

Turkey’s Vatican Ambassador Lütfullah Göktaş gave an interview to the Italian newspaper Corriere Della Sera.

Göktaş made evaluations about Turkey’s function in the negotiations between Ukraine and Russia.

“SUMMIT IN ANTALYA IS A DIPLOMACY VICTORY”

Referring to the significance of Turkey in the Ukraine-Russia disaster, Göktaş mentioned, “The assembly of Lavrov and Kuleba in Antalya is a diplomatic victory and a signal of belief in our nation” mentioned.

The highlights of Göktaş’s interview are as follows;

-No critical progress appears to have been made in the talks in Antalya. How do you consider the state of affairs from a diplomatic perspective? Can Turkey play an vital function in the negotiations as a result of it has relations with each nations? Will Erdogan be persistent?

It is an especially optimistic growth that Lavrov and Kuleba got here collectively throughout the framework of the Antalya Diplomatic Discussion board. It is true that in the meanwhile, each side are holding their very own positions. Nonetheless, due to our nation’s mediation, this is the primary time that such a assembly has been held for the reason that battle in Ukraine started. Subsequently, as our President additionally emphasised, this is a diplomatic victory. The proven fact that the events particularly demanded Turkey’s presence on the assembly in Antalya is a sign of the belief positioned in our nation. Let’s not overlook that Turkey additionally inspired the initiation of the continued negotiations between delegations in Belarus. Our nation performed a decisive function in convincing the Ukrainian aspect to carry these talks in Belarus. The diplomatic efforts of our President, who had quite a few cellphone conversations with Putin and Zelensky, proceed and can proceed. Our President’s mediation efforts are additionally appreciated by the US.

– Russian International Minister Sergey Lavrov mentioned, “This is not an invasion. We is not going to assault every other nation, we is not going to assault Ukraine. “This is not an invasion, we’ve no intention of occupying any land,” he mentioned. Nonetheless, everybody can see what is happening. How can a negotiating desk be arrange when views are to date aside?

Warfare does nobody any good. Nobody has a magic wand. However the one option to finish the warfare is diplomacy. A begin like Antalya was wanted. We predict that developments can evolve into a optimistic course with the continuation of this course of and steps to extend mutual belief. There are a lot of points negotiated between Russia and Ukraine, together with neutrality. We now have no alternative however to barter and diplomacy for a complete peace settlement.

-Zelensky requests a no-fly zone, however will get nothing however weapons and drones. Turkey didn’t assist the sanctions imposed by the EU and the USA. Why is that? Do you assume it is flawed to impose sanctions?

Turkey is a nation that has lengthy adopted the precept of not complying with sanction selections aside from UN Safety Council resolutions. How properly the sanctions will work is debatable. Sanctions can have some unfavourable results not solely on Russia, but additionally on the nations which have determined to impose sanctions. As Turkey, we’ve deep financial ties with Russia, together with power, tourism and agriculture sectors. We naturally don’t want them to be broken. We predict it will be extra helpful to remain in contact with Moscow as a substitute of sanctions. On this approach, we imagine that will probably be simpler for us to make a concrete contribution to the seek for options.

– Ukraine renounced its nuclear weapons in 1994, in return for not violating its border safety by each Russia and the West. The present state of affairs can’t be mentioned to encourage nuclear disarmament. What are you pondering?

It is vital to strongly assist Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. With the latest occasions, it is seen that the threats and dangers arising from nuclear weapons are on the agenda once more. Turkey has lengthy been advocating the denuclearization of the world. Because the Turkish Ambassador, I can simply say that nuclear weapons don’t serve peace and stability.

-Talking of nuclear.. Though Putin raised the nuclear alert stage, Lavrov assured that there was no danger of nuclear warfare. Do you assume it is potential for us to be comfy?

A nuclear assault would have devastating penalties for your complete world. It is unhealthy to even take into consideration such a risk. The predominant factor wanted proper now is to alleviate stress.

Turkey is a NATO member. Moscow, then again, mentions that it threatens NATO’s border safety, and that is why it began navy motion. Do you assume there could also be some faults of NATO? Did it actually escalate tensions?

Turkey is in favor of preserving the territorial integrity of Ukraine. Our President has made it clear that the assault on Ukraine is a violation of worldwide regulation. However he additionally mentioned that we’ll not assist a NATO determination concentrating on Russia’s territorial integrity. Previously, Turkey had a optimistic method to the enlargement processes of the EU and NATO. We’re conscious that Ukraine’s NATO membership is a delicate concern. This risk is Russia’s predominant concern. Subsequently, the considerations about border safety that Russia has been saying for years must also be taken under consideration. With a reasonable method, it is obligatory to search out a resolution that satisfies each side.

-Putin and Erdogan cooperate in many sectors, as might be seen in the Turkish Stream, which is able to transport Russian pure fuel to Turkey and Europe, or in the development of your nation’s first nuclear energy plant. How does the present state of affairs have an effect on bilateral relations?

We now have particular relations with each Russia and Ukraine. Ukraine is our strategic accomplice. Our commerce quantity with Russia is over 20 billion {dollars}. Final 12 months, we hosted about 5 million Russian vacationers. Russia is the biggest pure fuel provider of our nation. Russia is constructing the primary nuclear energy plant in our nation. Regardless of our variations of opinion on some points, our relationships and cooperation have improved significantly in latest years. After all, there is a risk that this warfare will negatively have an effect on some sectors. Nonetheless, we don’t want our bilateral relations with Russia to be broken. Because of this, we need to comply with a balanced coverage and keep in dialogue with Moscow.