OSCE parliamentary chief hails Türkiye’s role in regional peace efforts

By Muhammet Tarhan

ISTANBUL (AA) - Türkiye continues to play a key role in regional peace efforts thanks to its geopolitical position and sustained diplomatic initiatives, the head of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE PA) said.

Speaking to Anadolu on Wednesday after the OSCE PA’s fall meeting hosted by the Turkish parliament in Istanbul, Pere Joan Pons said the three-day gathering brought together more than 300 parliamentarians from 57 countries and succeeded in creating a productive platform for dialogue.

- ‘Türkiye is a clear key country for peace’

Citing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s visit to Türkiye this week, Pons described it as an important signal in the search for peace.

He praised Türkiye’s longstanding diplomatic engagement. “I think Türkiye is a clear key country for peace and an important actor at geopolitical level,” he said.

Pons stressed the meeting between Zelenskyy and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is an encouraging signal for renewed diplomatic efforts, noting that any setting that enables dialogue contributes to progress.

He also highlighted Türkiye’s special place within the OSCE’s 57-member structure, calling the country a key player to find ways for negotiation and discussion.

- ‘A significant opportunity for dialogue’

Pons described the Istanbul sessions as an important opportunity to foster dialogue between Eastern and Western parliamentarians, noting that logistical, economic, climate-related and political challenges were all addressed.

Highlighting the importance of the assembly’s resolutions on Gaza, Pons said the humanitarian situation in the Palestinian enclave was extensively discussed and that calls for a ceasefire and a two-state solution drew broad support among members.

"There was a huge debate on support for civilian populations, support for a ceasefire, stopping all attacks on civilians, and, of course, the two-state solution," he said.

He said the participation of observer countries such as Morocco, Algeria and Palestine strengthened the dialogue environment.

- Historic contact between Azerbaijani, Armenian delegations

Pons said he was committed to achieving concrete outcomes, citing the first bilateral meeting between Azerbaijani and Armenian delegations on the sidelines of the event.

“I'm very proud that delegation from Azerbaijan and the delegation from Armenia met bilaterally for the first time," he said. "This is not just words - it is a concrete fact, and that is what I am trying to highlight.”

- ‘No double standards in PA'

Asked whether the OSCE could maintain its multilateral capacity at a time when crises in Gaza and Ukraine are deepening simultaneously, Pons responded: “For me as president, no double standards in this Parliamentary Assembly."

"If we have to preserve the dignity and the justice of citizens, of populations, we have to do it in Ukraine and we have to do it in Gaza. For me, this is the most important thing,” he added.