The United Nations General Assembly will vote on October 28 on a draft resolution calling for the lifting of the US economic, commercial, and financial blockade against Cuba. In a statement made ahead of the vote, the Communist Party of Turkey (TKP) stated that Turkey must maintain the line it has followed at the UN to date.
In its statement, the TKP argued that the blockade, which has been ongoing for over 60 years, has severely affected the Cuban people's access to basic necessities. It was noted that the vote will take place at a time when Cuba is experiencing serious difficulties in accessing energy resources.
The party alleged that the US administration is pressuring governments to weaken international support against the blockade. The statement expressed that despite these pressures, Turkey must maintain its stance supporting the lifting of the blockade on Cuba in an "open and unhesitating" manner.
Turkey has been among the countries that have supported the lifting of the blockade imposed on Cuba at the United Nations to date. In this period when the US has increased its pressure and threats, Turkey must continue this stance in an open and unhesitating manner.
The statement also recalled that Cuba has sent aid to various regions of the world in different periods, and stated that Turkey taking a stance in favor of solidarity is a "historical responsibility."
WHAT HAPPENED IN LAST YEAR'S VOTE?
The UN General Assembly has included similar draft resolutions calling for the lifting of the blockade on Cuba on its agenda every year since 1992. These resolutions are not legally binding; however, they are significant in terms of demonstrating international political stance.
In last year's vote, the resolution was adopted with 165 votes in favor, 7 against, and 12 abstentions. The US, Israel, Argentina, Hungary, Paraguay, North Macedonia, and Ukraine voted against the resolution. The previous year, the resolution had received the support of 187 countries, with only the US and Israel voting "no."
Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla had announced before last year's vote that the Washington administration had sent letters to some countries calling on them to vote against the resolution. Turkey was not among the countries that voted against or abstained last year.
News Source: 12punto
