Istanbul Gelisim University - Turkey is the sole authority of the Straits

Turkey is the sole authority of the Straits

Following the declaration issued by 104 retired admirals, President Erdoğan said, "We consider the gains Montreux has provided to our country as important, and we continue our commitment to this contract until we find the opportunity for the better." Political Scientist Asst. Prof. Dr. Fırat Demirkol, who evaluated the issue, said: “Turning the political chaos and fear in the period leading to World War II in its favor Turkey remains sole authority of the straits.”

Providing information about the historical process extending to the Montreux Convention, Political Scientist Asst. Prof. Dr. Fırat Demirkol from Istanbul Gelisim University said: “ When viewed in historical chronology The Montreux Straits Convention which ensures complete independence of the straits and Turkish domination over them, was achieved after a long period of military and diplomatic struggles.”

Demirkol continued as follows:

“The Mondros Armistice Agreement and the Treaty of Sevres, signed after the First World War, took the Straits from the Ottoman Empire and the Turks and transferred them to an international commission. After the War of Independence, the Treaty of Lausanne was the first attempt to fix this situation and established control of this commission has been taken by the Republic of Turkey. However, this situation, which cannot be accepted in terms of national security and national sovereignty, it is considered to be a phenomenon that needs to be replaced at the earliest opportunity by Ataturk and the founders of the Republic of Turkey.”

“THEY WERE CONVINCED TO SIGN”

Stating that the weaknesses of the United Kingdom and the USA were utilized by successful diplomacy, Demirkol, added: “ In the process leading up to the World War II Seizing the opportunity of this weakness of the US and UK which were worried about the aggressive attitude of Italy and Germany, especially the emergence of fascist regimes Turkey has again raised the issue of the Straits and persuaded the Western States to sign the Montreux Straits Convention in 1936 as a result of the successful diplomatic process.”

“IMPARTIALITY WAS THE RESULT OF MONTREUX”

Reminding that neutrality was achieved with Montreux during the World War II, Demirkol said: “ As one of the most important pillars of this situation, adaunting the Straits by Turkey with the Montreux Convention had a great influence. In particular, the right to close the Straits to warships and Turkey's sole dominant position prevented the countries in the region from encountering more destructive consequences of the war.