Numan Kurtulmuş: 'We are leaving the terrorism issue behind'

Turkish Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş announced that Turkey is moving past the long-standing issue of terrorism, which he stated has consumed nearly half of the republic's first century. Speaking at the Bosphorus Diplomacy Forum 2026, Kurtulmuş framed this as a significant step forward for the nation.

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We are leaving behind the issue of terrorism, which has wasted half of our Republic's first century.

Kurtulmuş positioned Turkey as a pivotal actor in the emerging multi-polar global order, driven by an "acceleration" evident across various domains. He highlighted Turkey's capacity for active and multilateral diplomacy, citing its role in facilitating negotiations between Russia and Ukraine. Kurtulmuş recalled the Istanbul talks in March 2022, suggesting that a peace agreement was close to being signed but was ultimately thwarted by other countries' objections. He implied that Western nations were incapable of resolving the crisis, contrasting their efforts with Turkey's diplomatic initiative.

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The only axis Turkey has is its national, domestic axis.

Addressing criticisms of an "axis shift" in Turkish foreign policy, Kurtulmuş dismissed the idea that aligning with the West constitutes the sole "axis." He asserted that Turkey's primary axis is its national interest, emphasizing consistency in its approach both publicly and privately. This principled stance, he argued, compels other nations to align with Turkey's objectives.

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Even though all Western countries were incapable of solving the problem, two sides came together around the same table under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in March 2022 in Istanbul and started negotiating.

Kurtulmuş also underscored the concept of "Terror-Free Turkey," envisioning a future where internal conflicts, which have led to thousands of deaths and widespread destruction over 40 years, are relegated to the past. He expressed confidence that Turks, Kurds, and people of other ethnic backgrounds will continue to progress together within Turkey's borders and beyond, fostering unity among various communities in the region.

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If that agreement had been realized, the Russia-Ukraine War would have ended long ago.