Parliament Speaker Mustafa Şentop stepped in to prevent an escalation at a meeting attended by Russian and Ukrainian delegations Thursday, as he called for a cease-fire between the warring countries for security in the Black Sea region.
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.
Meanwhile, Şentop called for a cease-fire between Russia and Ukraine, saying the war that broke out last year in February threatens the security of the Black Sea region.
"The war left behind hundreds of thousands of dead and wounded, devastated cities, millions of people displaced from their homes and a completely paralyzed Black Sea," he said.
"... We hope that this war, which is one of the worst wars the Black Sea has ever seen, ends with a lasting and just peace before it causes more loss of life, destruction and damage," Şentop said.
"I once again call on the parties to a cease-fire and invite them to a lasting peace," he said, adding that the war was causing "irreparable" losses and damages not only for the people of Ukraine and Russia but for the entire world, especially the region.
Türkiye strongly supports Ukraine's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders, Şentop asserted.
"We sincerely believe that peace in the Black Sea can only come in this way," he added.
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.
Speaking at the same event, PABSEC Secretary General Asaf Hajiyev said the Black Sea region is important for world politics since it is a bridge between Asia and Europe.
He said the region is not only important in terms of energy resources or geographical location, but the main resource is its people.
Despite conflicts, Hajiyev said the motto of the organization is peace, reconciliation and cooperation, noting that problems can be solved together.
The 13-member PABSEC, established in 1993, aims to diversify and further develop bilateral and multilateral economic, technological and social relations among its member states.