Breaking News... Erdoğan speaks at group meeting! 'Effective remorse' call to CHP members

President and AKP Chairman Recep Tayyip Erdoğan spoke at his party's group meeting.

Here are the highlights from Erdoğan's statement:

"THE STATE OF THE MAIN OPPOSITION DOES NOT BEFIT TURKISH POLITICS"

I want to share my sincere sadness. It is a behavior that does not fit the spirit of these blessed days for Turkey's main opposition party to distance itself from the nation during the holidays, when 86 million people put their political differences aside and embrace each other with affection. The state of the main opposition never befits our democracy or Turkish politics.

"BENEFIT FROM EFFECTIVE REMORSE"

The state of the main opposition, which cannot escape the guidance of a handful of bandits who have entrenched themselves in Istanbul, never befits our democracy or Turkish politics. We see fueling tension even during holidays as a grave mistake. Politics cannot be done by distancing oneself from society. Even if it were, no good would come to the country from this style of politics. Turkey's chronic opposition deficit is deepening. Even though they are our political rivals, we do not find this picture right. We believe that Mr. Özel and the CHP administration should stop insisting on their mistakes and benefit from effective remorse. The time for this has long since passed.

We are aware of all kinds of difficulties caused by the high cost of living. We are implementing a successful economic program to find solutions. As we gain ground in the fight against inflation, we will hopefully further increase the welfare, purchasing power, and standard of living of all 86 million people. We support our industrialists, investors, and exporters with various incentive packages.

We are taking another new step. We are increasing the program size from 300 billion liras to a total of 500 billion liras. We will provide stronger support to investments that contribute to closing the current account deficit and to price stability. As a government, we know very well what we are doing in the economy. The only one who does not know what he is doing, like a truck driver who has broken his axle, is CHP Chairman Özgür Özel. My advice to Özel is not to tire himself out too much.

"TURKEY IS GOING THROUGH A SENSITIVE PERIOD"

We hope that Mr. Özel will save himself and his party from the patronage relationship and return to Turkey's real issues as soon as possible. Turkey is going through a very sensitive period where it needs to devote all its energy and capacity to issues concerning its survival.

"ISRAEL'S ATTACKS HAVE REACHED A MUCH MORE BARBARIC DIMENSION"

Israel's massacre policies in Palestine have moved to a different dimension, turning into mass slaughter, collective punishment, and finally genocide. In the ever-increasing brutality, more than 55 thousand innocent Gazans have lost their lives, and more than 128 thousand of our brothers and sisters have been injured. Israel's attacks have reached a much more barbaric dimension. In Gaza, where 80 percent is under rubble, 2 million innocent civilians have been completely condemned to starvation. Israel is also raining bombs on the oppressed who crowd at aid distribution points. I say it clearly, the most horrific photos of World War II remain very innocent compared to the images coming from Gaza today.

"IRAN'S DEFENSE OF ITSELF IS A NATURAL RIGHT"

Israel has expanded its field of banditry by attacking certain targets in Iran and carrying out assassinations inside Iran. It is an extremely natural right for Iran to defend itself against this banditry by Israel. Iran has been attacked by a spoiled country that recognizes no law and no rules. These attacks were carried out while Iran's nuclear negotiations were ongoing. Israel, which itself possesses nuclear weapons, carried out a full-blown act of terror without waiting for the negotiations to end.

"THE HANDS OF THOSE WHO REMAIN SILENT ARE ALSO STAINED WITH BLOOD"

In the face of this aggression committed before the whole world, international institutions, especially the United Nations, and states remain silent, and some provide support. To remain silent in the face of this aggression and this disregard for rules is to consent to what is happening. Just like those who support Israel, the blood of civilians has splashed onto the hands of those who remain silent, and that bloodstain will never be cleaned. This stain of blood and shame has stained not only Netanyahu's hands, not only those who support him, but also the hands of everyone who remains silent.

"WE ARE PREPARED FOR ANY SCENARIO"

Israel is spreading the fire to the entire region. Stopping Israeli aggression is essential for the whole world. However, all countries in our region, including our neighbor Iran, must draw the necessary lessons from these events. If a joint measure is to be taken against Israeli aggression in our region, everyone must think thoroughly. We are closely following Israel's terrorist attacks against Iran. All our institutions are on alert regarding the possible effects of these attacks on Turkey. May our nation be at ease. Their government is the follower of Turkey's interests, peace, unity, and security to the end. We have made and are making our preparations against all kinds of negativity and all kinds of scenarios.

Let no one compare us with others. Let no one attempt to test us, try us, or push our patience. I underline and state again, we have no eyes on anyone's land. We have no problem with anyone's sovereignty. We have no ambition in our region other than peace, tranquility, and stability. We want security in the entire Middle East. We desire the same thing for everyone in the region as we want for ourselves. There is no loser in a fair, honorable, and sustainable peace. We strive for peace with all our sincerity, and we give the aggressor the response they deserve in every attack directed at us. This nation knows the power of its state. This nation knows well what it can achieve when it is united.

Our struggle to stop Israeli aggression will continue. Our initiatives to establish peace in our region will continue. We will not take a break from our diplomatic contacts. We will do our best to prevent a major catastrophe that could affect everyone.

News Source: 12punto