MGK meetings, chaired by the president, are held on a bi-monthly basis between top military generals and political leaders to discuss major national security issues.
In a statement issued after the meeting yesterday, the MGK General Secretariat stressed Turkey’s determination to continue fighting terrorism. Security issues across the country and matters of public safety were also discussed during the meeting, the statement said.

“Developments that began in the South Ossetia region of Georgia and turned into a large-scale armed conflict with the intervention of the Russian Federation, along with initiatives taken to end the conflict have also been discussed in detail,” the statement said. It added that the MGK discussed the various effects such conflicts have on the region and possible peaceful measures that can be taken to fend off similar tensions in the future.

The Cyprus problem was another issue taken up during the MGK meeting yesterday, the statement said. It noted that key talks for a resolution to the dispute on the island are due to start on Sept. 3, announcing that the MGK has decided to continue its close cooperation with the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (KKTC) during this process.

The statement also said there was complete agreement on starting the projects agreed to with Iraqi officials during Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s visit to Baghdad on July 10. “The establishment of structural cooperation can turn into a platform to expand our bilateral relations with Iraq in every sphere.”

Yesterday was the last MGK meeting for Chief of General Staff Gen. Yaşar Büyükanıt, who will leave the office to his successor, current Land Forces Commander Gen. İlker Başbuğ, on Aug. 30.

The statement thanked Büyükanıt for his contributions to the MGK over the past four years and wished him good health in his retirement.

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