Director of Communications Fahrettin Altun said, "As indicated by our President, the Century of Türkiye vision heralds a transformation not only for our country but also for our region and the world. We intend to spread democracy, development, peace, and prosperity throughout the world, beginning with our region and country. Our ambition is lofty, but so is our capacity to achieve it."
Presidency's Director of Communications Altun spoke at the opening ceremony of the sixth edition of the TRT World Forum, which was held this year at the Hilton İstanbul Bomonti Hotel & Conference Centre under the theme "Mapping the Future: Uncertainties, Realities, and Opportunities," noting that a number of fundamental issues will be discussed, including peace diplomacy, food security, energy crisis, climate change, migration, Islamophobia, digitalisation and disinformation.
Director of Communications Altun highlighted that living in stability and designing a predictable future have become crucial and challenging issues for societies today, saying:
"At this juncture, Türkiye has seized the opportunity to implement a dynamic and multidimensional foreign policy that prioritises people, thanks to the political stability, economic confidence, and social peace it has provided over the past two decades. As a result, it has been able to develop initiatives not only to consolidate its own rights but also to eliminate injustices in the global arena and improve world peace. Under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, our country upholds its national interests without compromise while also making significant contributions to the resolution of regional crises and global conflicts. In this era, which has come to be known as the 'era of global uncertainty,' our efforts have made Türkiye not only a haven of stability but also a 'stabilising power.'"
Noting that President Erdoğan's efforts and struggles have brought Türkiye to this point, Director of Communications Altun stated that if it were not for President Erdoğan's strong, far-sighted, principled, and resolute leadership, Türkiye would not have been an influential regional power and global player today.
Presidency's Director of Communications Altun emphasised that Türkiye has developed an original foreign policy model that will set an example for the entire world in this period, saying, "Our peace diplomacy efforts in the Russia-Ukraine War, which has been going on for about ten months, has shown that the entire world recognises Türkiye as a stabilising and de-escalating power that contributes to global peace. Our President has become a global leader whose opinion is sought on every fundamental issue as a result of his determination, initiative, and sense of responsibility. His leadership is undeniably a key factor in increasing Türkiye's diplomatic power and influence."
Director of Communications Altun noted that in this manner, Türkiye brought the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Russia and Ukraine together in Antalya, brought the diplomats of the two countries together in İstanbul, prevented the global food crisis with the Grain Deal, ensured the exchange of prisoners between Russia and Ukraine, and finally hosted the meeting between the intelligence chiefs of the US and Russia.
On the other hand, indicating that Türkiye's efforts in Sweden and Finland's NATO accession process secured significant commitments and gains in the fight against global terrorism, Director of Communications Altun said, "We will continue to monitor this issue in accordance with our President's instructions. The diplomatic successes achieved under the leadership of our President demonstrate the global facilitation and reconciliation roles that Türkiye has played in this process."
"Türkiye's vision of global future aims to keep the world away from conflicts"
Director of Communications Fahrettin Altun stated that another element of the foreign policy model was adherence to the principle of "regional solutions to regional problems" and said:
"Because we see through bitter experiences that outside interference in any region, from the Middle East to the Balkans, from the Black Sea to the Eastern Mediterranean, deepens the crisis of that region, exacerbates the crises and causes tragedies. Another distinctive feature of our foreign policy model is that it feeds on and expands the struggle for global justice. In this regard, reforming international organisations and increasing their effectiveness are part of our efforts to make a fairer world possible. Our President's call, 'The world is bigger than five', which he has championed for many years, was echoed by many heads of state at the last United Nations General Assembly. This is the result and success of our President's resolved efforts."
Noting that another critical element of the foreign policy model was "the effort to prevent global polarisation and prevent new cold wars," Director of Communications Altun said, "Türkiye's vision of global future aims to keep the world away from conflicts and prevent a new cold war from breaking out."
Stating that, in addition to these factors, playing a leading role in the resolution of humanitarian crises, global food, energy, and climate crises is one of the distinguishing features of foreign policy, Director of Communications Altun noted that Türkiye ranks first in humanitarian aid in the world and second in development assistance in the world in terms of its Gross Domestic Product.
"Systemic disinformation activities conducted in a complex manner target social peace"
Presidency's Director of Communications Altun said, "In addition, the fight against hate speech, Islamophobia and anti-Semitism is one of the issues for which our country spearheads and calls for cooperation for the establishment of global stability. And, of course, capacity building and alliance building against information warfare and disinformation operations are one of our key emphases in the international arena, and this is a significant pillar of our foreign policy model. We are all witnesses to the fact that systematic disinformation activities conducted in a complex manner today target national, regional and global stability, individual rights, and social peace."
Director of Communications Altun stated that elections would be held in several NATO countries in 2023, and within this context, the Presidency's Directorate of Communications has organised numerous events on election security in NATO countries, with the purpose of enhancing cooperation and the exchange of experience in this sphere, adding that they recognise the value of executing a worldwide fight against disinformation in the global arena and are engaged in numerous coordination efforts in this regard.
Director of Communications Altun said that Türkiye, which is now a regional and global actor, not only serves as a bridge connecting various blocs but also a conduit for dialogue, negotiation, and diplomacy, and continued:
"As indicated by our President, the Century of Türkiye vision heralds a transformation not only for our country but also for our region and the world. We intend to spread democracy, development, peace, and prosperity throughout the world, beginning with our region and our country. Our ambition is lofty, but so is our capacity to achieve it. I would like to make it abundantly clear and unequivocal that, under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Türkiye will continue its efforts to eliminate global uncertainties, establish stability, and build a peaceful and secure future for humanity."
Director of Communications Altun wished the TRT World Forum success and congratulated those involved in the event's organisation.
