At a meeting that had the potential to go south
Attending the 61st Parliamentary Assembly of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (PABSEC) meeting, which brought together parliament speakers under the theme, Common Geography, Common Vision, Common Future in the capital Ankara, Şentop interfered after someone from the Ukrainian delegation attempted to unfurl the Ukrainian flag to protest Russia during the speech of the Russian side.
Warning both sides to refrain from escalating tensions, Şentop said he will not allow anybody to disturb the peace of the meeting.
“Everybody can voice their views and opinions… But if we are to start holding demonstrations then these meetings will no longer be parliamentary meetings and will instead turn into street movements,” he said.
The meeting proceeded as planned after the Turkish speaker’s intervention.
Ankara is again ready to gather parties at the table for peace talks, Şentop stressed, saying: “Unfortunately, what some Western countries and global interest networks desire most is the continuation of this war with all its brutality.”
Türkiye, internationally praised for its mediator role, has repeatedly urged Ukraine and Russia to end the war through negotiations.
“Building a common future in the Black Sea is not impossible, it is much easier when there are so many values we share,” Şentop said.