The government of Turkey has hailed the Marcos administration’s peace efforts in Mindanao, noting that they are worth emulating by other countries.
Turkey’s Ambassador to the Philippines Niyazi Evren Akyol made the remark during a recent meeting with Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity Carlito Galvez Jr.
“It is actually said in the UN speech of President Marcos, when he said we have achieved this great moment [in the peace process]. And I present this to you as our example to work this way if you are elected to a security council,” Akyol said.
“Our world is full of conflict and the peace process in the Southern Philippines. We know how difficult and impossible it was. And now we can say it is possible. It is actually a model in my opinion for mediation efforts that other countries can use. Not only the present situation of BARMM (Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao) but the process is more important, how it has gotten there,” he said.
Akyol reaffirmed his government’s commitment of being “a longtime partner in the peace process.”
“The implementation of the Bangsamoro Organic Law and now, the functioning of the BARMM, these are the turning point for a lasting peace in the Southern Philippines,” he said.
In response, Galvez said some of the interventions being spearheaded by his office to address hostilities in Mindanao are in support of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro.
Among them are the socioeconomic aid to the six government-acknowledged Moro Islamic Liberation Front camps and 33 core barangay (villages) outside the Bangsamoro region; the decommissioning of MILF combatants and their weapons; and the provision of capacity-building support to the BARMM government to ensure its smooth transition until the first BARMM elections in 2025.
“Allow us to express our gratitude and of course beyond that, the strong commitment of President [Ferdinand] Marcos Jr. [to our nations’ strong partnership]. I’ve been talking to other ambassadors who are interested in the peace process and have joined our voice in praising President Marcos’ strong leadership,” Galvez said.
Cooperation between the Philippines and Turkey encompasses a wide range of areas, including trade, commerce, education, and peace and development.
The Turkish government, through its Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency, has been carrying out socioeconomic projects in the Bangsamoro since 2015.
“We thank the Turkish government for their support. Despite the distance of our countries, Turkey has always felt close, through their programs and projects implemented here in our country. Thank you for the commitment and rest assured that our government will always be willing to help any way possible,” Galvez said.
Source : ManilaTimes
