Minister Güler attended the 2026-2027 Academic Year Opening Ceremony of the National Defense University (MSÜ).
Speaking at the ceremony, Minister Güler said that Türkiye, due to its strategic location, is at the center of a geography where developments that directly affect the whole world are taking place.
Stating that risks and threats are closely monitored for this reason, Güler underlined that Türkiye's rights and interests are resolutely protected with effective diplomacy, strong state will and proactive security approach under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
Noting that Türkiye makes significant contributions to international peace and security, Güler said:
"The ongoing war and security risks in the Black Sea, the new balances taking shape in the Caucasus, the developments in the Middle East, our rights and interests in Cyprus and the Eastern Mediterranean are the priority issues of our security policy. In this context, we continue our responsible and balanced approach to maintaining stability in the Black Sea by closely monitoring the effects of the war on regional security. We also support the establishment of permanent peace in the Caucasus, strengthening regional stability and developing cooperation opportunities."
"THE SPRAYING POLICY TOWARDS THE TURKISH CYPRIOTS CONTINUES"
Reminding that Türkiye did not remain silent about the crises in the Middle East, Güler stated that important steps were taken towards the security and stability of the region with the established alliances. He stated that the Joint Defense Agreement signed in Mecca is an effective and strong reflection of this policy.
Güler emphasized that the determination to protect the security and legitimate rights of the Turkish Cypriots is maintained within the scope of these policies, and stated that the rights and interests of Türkiye and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus in the Eastern Mediterranean are carefully observed.
Stating that all necessary measures have been taken with determination regarding national security regarding Cyprus, Güler said, "By the way, I would like to point out that the policy of intimidation and indigestion towards the Turkish Cypriots, which has been going on since the 1960s, is still continuing in the strongest way." "So much so that the action taken by UEFA against the camp that the Barcelona Football Academy plans to organize in September in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, and similar attempts made against a music festival before, are a reflection of the delusion and intransigence of the Greek side," he said.
Yaşar Güler said that Türkiye is determined to protect the security, sovereignty and legitimate interests of the Turkish Cypriots in accordance with its guarantor rights and historical responsibilities arising from international law.
ASSESSMENT OF TERRORISM-FREE Türkiye
Reminding that, from a strategic perspective, a country's internal peace, national unity and social integrity are inseparable elements of security, Güler continued his words as follows:
"In this regard, we attach great importance to making permanent the security gains achieved in our fight against terrorism, which has been threatening the peace of our noble nation and the integrity of our country for more than forty years. As a matter of fact, with the 'Terror-Free Türkiye' process carried out under the leadership of our President, we aim to completely remove terrorism and violence from our country's agenda and further strengthen our thousand-year-old brotherhood."
Güler mentioned that further strengthening the unity and solidarity of the nation, without compromising the gains achieved through the sacrifices of martyrs and veterans, will be the most valuable legacy to be left to Türkiye's future.
Chief of General Staff General Selçuk Bayraktaroğlu, force commanders and deputy ministers also attended the ceremony.
