New York:Washington A candidate for the upcoming United Nations secretary-general position has emphasized the critical role of mediation in resolving international conflicts, specifically addressing South Korea's concerns over tensions on the Korean Peninsula.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Feridun Sinirlioglu, a Turkish diplomat and current secretary-general of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, underscored the importance of mediation during a dialogue with U.N. member states in New York. He responded to inquiries from South Korea's representative about maintaining security issues, including those involving the Korean Peninsula, on the U.N. agenda and preventing the escalation of tensions.
Sinirlioglu highlighted the necessity of bringing conflicting parties together to bridge their differences and reiterated the secretary-general's role as a mediator. He expressed that the secretary-general must be ready to mediate even between warring parties, acting as a trusted and impartial intermediary through quiet diplomacy to facilitate compromises.
He also pointed to his extensive diplomatic experience and his current role at the OSCE, expressing confidence in his ability to help the U.N. tackle complex geopolitical challenges.