Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan called for greater reliance on dialogue and diplomacy to resolve conflicts and strengthen regional stability as he addressed the expanded session of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit in Bishkek on Tuesday.

Erdoğan said Türkiye was taking responsibility for helping resolve conflicts in its neighborhood through peaceful means and would continue working for peace and stability both regionally and globally.

“Türkiye takes responsibility for resolving conflicts in our neighborhood through dialogue and diplomacy,” Erdoğan said, stressing that Ankara would continue to support efforts aimed at establishing lasting peace and stability.

The Turkish president also emphasized the growing international importance of the SCO, which he described as an important component of an emerging multipolar international system. The organization represents around 3.5 billion people and an economic output of approximately $35 trillion, according to Erdoğan.

Türkiye highlights transport and energy corridors

Erdoğan said the SCO could play a broader role beyond security and political cooperation, particularly in developing secure transportation corridors and strengthening energy supply security.

He highlighted Türkiye’s strategic position as a bridge between Asia and Western markets, saying Ankara could help facilitate the SCO region’s access to European and other Western markets while contributing to the diversification of energy routes and the management of geopolitical risks.

Erdoğan called for closer coordination between the Trans-Caspian Middle Corridor and China's Belt and Road Initiative, describing cooperation within the SCO as important to achieving greater connectivity across Eurasia.

“The Middle Corridor initiative should be aligned with the Belt and Road Initiative,” Erdoğan said, emphasizing the potential of closer cooperation to improve trade links between Asia and Europe.

He added that Türkiye would seek to further strengthen cooperation with the SCO across a wide range of areas, describing the organization as a “rising star.”

Gaza and Lebanon remain central to Erdoğan’s message

Turning to the Middle East, Erdoğan urged the international community not to overlook the humanitarian consequences of the conflict in Gaza and Lebanon.

He said approximately 74,000 people had been killed in Israeli attacks, with women and children accounting for a significant proportion of the victims, and warned that the consequences of what he described as Israel’s aggressive policies were being felt throughout the wider region.

“While speaking about peace, we must not forget Gaza and Lebanon,” Erdoğan said, arguing that the continuing violence was contributing to broader regional instability.

His remarks reflected Ankara’s longstanding call for an end to hostilities and for regional disputes to be addressed through diplomacy rather than military escalation.

Erdoğan highlights Mecca Defence Alliance

Erdoğan also used his address to highlight the recently established Mecca Joint Defence Agreement between Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan.

He said the alliance, based on regional ownership and collective deterrence, could make a significant contribution to peace and stability in both the region and the wider world.

The agreement was signed in Mecca in August and is intended to strengthen security and defence cooperation among the three countries, including collaboration in defence industries and counterterrorism efforts. Türkiye has said the agreement is based on collective deterrence and is not directed against any particular country.

Erdoğan has previously described the agreement as an expression of the principle that regional countries should take greater responsibility for resolving their own security challenges.

Türkiye seeks deeper engagement with SCO

Erdoğan also referred to climate change and Türkiye’s preparations to host COP31 in Antalya on November 11-12, inviting SCO member states to participate.

He concluded by emphasizing Türkiye’s intention to deepen cooperation with the organization and support efforts toward a more genuinely multipolar international order.

The Bishkek summit brings together leaders from major Eurasian powers, including China, Russia, India and Iran, as well as Central Asian states and other participating countries. Türkiye’s engagement with the SCO reflects Ankara’s broader effort to maintain strong ties with both Western institutions and emerging Eurasian platforms while positioning itself as a key bridge between different regions and markets. (ILKHA)