Today (9 June) the UN Security Council has adopted a resolution on additional sanctions against Iran. Turkey, who has been advocating the settlement of the problem through diplomacy since the very outset, voted against the resolution.

In the lead up to the vote, Prime Minister Erdoğan spoke and consulted with several leaders including the US President Barack Obama, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmedinejad and Brasilian President Silva De Lula. Prime Minister Erdoğan emphasized that the resolution on sanctions would harm the diplomatic process and complicate the implementation of the Joint Declaration concluded in Tehran as a result of the efforts exerted by Turkey and Brazil.

Turkey is concerned that the UN Security Council resolution would undermine the window of opportunity opened by the Tehran Joint Declaration of 17 May 2010 for solving the problem on Iran’s nuclear programme by peaceful means through diplomacy and would harm diplomatic efforts.

Turkey, who believes that there is no alternative to diplomacy, thinks that all parties concerned bear serious responsibility for regional stability and international legitimacy. Continuation of dialogue with all parties and using all opportunities in the diplomatic field to the full extent is the only viable route.

We have previously stated that the steps taken by Iran on the basis of the Joint Declaration of 17 May, which constitutes a confidence building measure towards reinitiating the diplomatic negotiation process between Iran and the P5+1, were deemed as positive. The UN Security Council Resolution does not respond to these steps. Turkey, in light of past experiences, knows well that sanctions do not bring added value to regional peace and stability.

On the other hand, we expect from Iran to continue to abide by the Tehran Joint Declaration , to stay on the diplomatic solution path and to adopt an approach aimed at removing suspicions on its nuclear programme by fulfilling its obligations stemming from international agreements.

Turkey, who strived to facilitate a diplomatic solution between parties and played a central role in achieving tangible progress for the first time since October 2009, is ready to play her part in the ensuing stages of the process as well. Our sincere expectation and hope is that, in spite of the unfavorable atmosphere that the sanctions resolution has created, all parties concerned and Iran in particular, continue efforts towards the peaceful resolution of the problem without departing from dialogue in the coming days.

At this point, taking into consideration the call of the global public opinion that has faith in peace and dialogue, Turkey will sincerely continue to advocate that opportunity for diplomacy and conciliation should not be missed.

Today is not a day to limit the process to the recent resolution adopted by the UN Security Council, but rather a day, for the world public opinion which believe in peace and equality as a whole, to give diplomacy a chance without severing mutual dialogue.