Mr. Chairman,

Distinguished guests,

Let me first thank our co-hosts for this timely meeting.

Aptly known as the cradle of civilizations, the Middle East with its rich tradition of multiculturalism is the spring from which cherished fundamental tenets, like tolerance, harmony and peaceful co-existence, historically flourished. The inalienable right to dignity, regardless of ethnic or religious identity, was a trademark of this region.

Of course, these principles were not easily won. Untold thousands, maybe millions perished, before these values, which shape our lives today, could take hold and spread.

Whether in Europe, the Mediterranean, the Middle East or North Africa, it is these common values, refined through a millennia of cross-fertilization, that must prevail in our efforts to bring order to these interconnected lands.

Our responsibility is to not only uphold these values, but to also pass them on to next generations.

Let us be clear:

So far, our track record has not inspired confidence. As the region witnesses another cycle of upheaval, the threats we are confronted with are growing exponentially.

The Syrian people are under extreme distress. No words are left to describe their plight.

They aspired to lead their lives in dignity, within a free and democratic society. The response of the Asad regime was brutality, wholesale oppression and the indiscriminate use of force.

The ensuing chaos led to the birth of the myriad threats we all feel so acutely.

Today, once again, Turkey is a frontline state.

We feel the brunt of the pressure, whether in the form of DEASH terrorism or the ethnic terrorism of PKK attacks or the growing refugee problem.

We must degrade, defeat and destroy DEASH. Our own security depends on it. As do the security of the many communities of the region.

There are countless communities in the Middle East. All are integral, inherent and inseparable parts of a tremendously rich, age old tapestry, steeped in history and culture. The Christians, Arabs, Jews, Turkomans, Kurds, Sunnis or Shiites of this region – regardless of denomination or creed - all have the basic right to lead their lives free from oppression, in dignity.

To get there, the dark forces that generate these threats and the resulting instability have to be tackled, head on.

While we prosecute a decisive campaign against DEASH, we must also ensure a genuine political transition in Syria; to introduce a free and fair political system, where everybody will be treated equally; to bring an end to despotism.

So too in Iraq, we have to help devise a modus vivendi that allows for functioning fedaralism based on fair power sharing. Only then can each community feel ownership.

In Libya and Yemen, we must have representative and inclusive Governments in place. Only then can state authority be fully exercised. We are determined to continue our work towards these ends.

The only genuine way of addressing the current challenges is to first be truthful to ourselves about the magnitude of the problems before us. For example, as grave as it is, the so called migrant crisis in the Mediterranean is just the tip of the iceberg.

There are no quick-fixes for the challenges ahead. But that is no excuse for procrastination.

Ultimately, if our shared values actually mean something, we must assume our responsibilities with courage. If what had to be done was done four years ago, we would not have to be here today.

The challenges and threats before us require holistic approaches, coupled with decisive action. Our objective should not be to save the day. It should be to salvage the future. History stands witness, and it will not be kind if we fail to act.