The Mediterranean and Middle East Special Group Economic and Security Committee Seminar, held in Antalya, brings together NATO representatives and parliamentarians from different countries. Regional security, economy and NATO's southern policies are discussed at the meeting.

The Mediterranean and Middle East Special Group Economic and Security Committee Seminar started in Antalya. In addition to NATO representatives, parliamentarians from many countries are participating in the seminar.

[caption id="attachment_143989" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Former Minister of Foreign Affairs Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu[/caption]

The seminar is being held between April 28-30 at a five-star hotel in the Belek tourism region of Serik district. The seminar was attended by NATO Parliamentary Assembly (NATO PA) Turkish Delegation Chairman, former Minister of Foreign Affairs Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, Mediterranean and Middle East Special Group (GSM) President Fernando Gutierrez, NATO PA Vice President Agnes Vadai, Antalya Governor Hulusi Şahin and parliamentarians and representatives from many countries.

ECONOMY AND SECURITY IN THE MIDDLE EAST

Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu stated that they held joint committee meetings of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, and noted that this meeting was the economic and security committee meeting on the Middle East. Explaining that they invited NATO's partners, especially their southern partners, to this meeting, Çavuşoğlu said, "We have deputies from dear Azerbaijan. Apart from that, we have deputies from Ghana, the Sahel region is also particularly important for NATO, as you know. What can NATO do there regarding instability, especially security and stability? But many deputies from the Gulf countries and Arab countries also attended our meeting today. They also contributed to the first session with their comments and questions. As a result, we are evaluating and discussing the developments in the south of NATO and what the effects of these developments in our southern region, the Gulf, the Middle East and the Sahel Africa region, may have on NATO."

NATO FOREIGN MINISTERS MEETING IN ANTALYA

Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu stated that it is important for Turkey to focus on NATO's eastern flank in particular, and said, "But we should not neglect the south. There are many threats and challenges, especially terrorism. Therefore, we bring it to the agenda at every meeting, especially our President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan at the summits, and we also bring it to the agenda on this platform, that as NATO member countries, we may be negatively affected if we neglect the south. That's why we attach importance to this meeting. Many sessions will take place. There are many speakers. And there is a free environment here. Everyone expresses their opinion, especially our deputy friends from both member countries and partner countries also contribute. The first session was extremely active. Next month, there will be a NATO Foreign Ministers meeting hosted by our Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Hakan Fidan," he said.

TURKEY'S IMPORTANCE IN DIPLOMACY

Reminding that the NATO Foreign Ministers meeting was held in Antalya before the G-20 summit about 10 years ago, when he was the Minister of Foreign Affairs for the first time, Çavuşoğlu said, "We just finished the Antalya Diplomacy Forum. Turkey has become an extremely important country in diplomacy and security. Especially in the process of rapid change in the world, it is an indispensable ally and member for NATO, and is among the countries that contribute the most. Turkey is among the countries and allies that contribute the most in terms of its activities, operations, as well as its missions and, of course, budget."

'WE VALUE EUROPE'S SECURITY'

Stating that the western world has recently begun to understand the importance of Turkey, Çavuşoğlu said, "But it is not enough to understand the importance of Turkey only when there is a need. We should not forget after the need is over. Unfortunately, this is one of the biggest mistakes that our western allies and friends make. Especially when discussing the creation of Europe's own security architecture, I would like to remind you once again that exclusionary thoughts and initiatives towards Turkey will not benefit Europe's security. As Turkey, we value and contribute to the stability and security of Europe, in which we are located," he said.