Egemen Bağış calls for global cooperation against terrorism

Egemen Bağış was invitedto address attwo separate panels of the United Nations’ 7th Alliance of Civilizations Summit, held in Baku this year. His article making a call for global cooperation against terrorism was published in one of the leading digital media platformsHuffington Post just hours before the panel starts.

Egemen Bağış, emphasizing the importance of this year’s summit theme ‘living together in inclusive societies: a challenge and a goal’, has publicizedin the article the callhe made inthe UN’s paneltitled“constructing peace, deconstructing terror”.

“All countries are faced with the threat of terrorism these days… remaining resolute and global solidarity are concepts that apply to all.” stated Bağış. Referencing the news, Bağış said “there is no difference between the suicide bombings in Paris, Brussels, Baghdad, Istanbul or in Ankara. Whether it is DEASH, or PKK, whether it is DHKP-C or Al Qaeda — we must show absolute determination in displaying international solidarity against all types of terrorist organizations. The international community must match their solidarity with practical deeds.”

Stressing dialogue as the key word for today’s main global problems, Bağış said Alliance of Civilizations initiated by Mr. Zapatero and Mr. Erdogan undertook an extremely important mission to prevent Conflict of Civilizations. Bağış indicated that terrorism was not a new phenomenon and suicide attacks were being witnessed since the 13th century but the problem became the greatest threat to humanity as the impact of hate speech on the youth culminated nowadays.

In the article, Bağış reiterated that terrorism cannot be affiliated with any religion, sect, ethnic group or nationality. The primary objective of terrorist organizations is to trigger polarization, otherization and separation, on both national and international levels. There is no such a thing as a “good terrorist” and no end can justify terrorism.

Bağış continued that we all are only as secure as our neighbors and our common security should be reinforced through dialogue, rather than of alienation or building walls. According to Bağış, terrorism feeds on the understanding that “my enemy’s enemy is my friend”. In addition, the most effective instruments in countering terrorism are: collecting timely, reliable and systematic intelligence; a well-organized law enforcement system that properly utilizes this intelligence, an adequate legislation and effective judiciary. Bağış expressed that genuine attempts were to be taken to eliminate the conditions that the terrorist groups abuse. Analyzing the Turkey’s fight with terrorism in numbers, Bağış reminded that some of the suicide bombers who caused so many civilian lives to end in Paris & Brussels were let go by some of our European allies after being detained by Turkish authorities. He signified this fact by itself is painful and alarming.

Bağış concluded his article stating “Once again, whether it is Al Nusra or DAESH, PKK, YPG or DHKP-C, all nations must be united in their stance against the threat of terrorism.”