Breaking News: First comment from Erdoğan on the reception photo!

AKP Chairman and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, answered journalists' questions on the plane returning from Azerbaijan.

Regarding the image of him coming together with opposition leaders at the reception on October 1, when the TBMM began its session, Erdoğan said: "The participation of those who attended the parliamentary opening reception was very, very important to us. We also came together with the DEM Group there and had conversations. Beyond these conversations, we had the opportunity to talk and discuss what can be done for the future. I hope that what follows will be for the best. As for the photo frame taken at the reception, that frame is the true picture of Turkey. Some are trying to portray Turkey as divided into camps and shattered, but the truth is the picture of unity and solidarity there. Those who cannot be a part of that picture should sit down and hold themselves accountable." he stated.

Upon a question, Erdoğan said the following regarding the issue of 'children dragged into crime':

"The murders committed by individuals under the age of 18 have burned and continue to burn our hearts. We are determined to save our children from the hands of terrorist organizations and criminal gangs. As a state, we are in a total struggle on this issue. We are increasing the deterrent effect of penalties with the 11th Judicial Package. But punishment alone is not enough. There can be no permanent solution without strengthening the family, supporting education, and increasing social solidarity. Unfortunately, we are facing a problem that is too complicated to be solved only with punishment or only with arrangements to be made in the education system. In addition to penal regulations, we are working on measures that prioritize protecting children who are isolated, exposed to violence, or witness it, before they get involved in crime. In other words, we are focusing on the factors that lead to crime as well as the children who get involved in crime."

The interview Erdoğan held with journalists on the plane is as follows:

Mr. President, there are great tensions in the world. There is a risk that these tensions will turn into a global conflict. In this context, defense agreements are being made between some countries. Are further steps possible regarding defense and security within the Organization of Turkic States? Would you like to make an assessment on this?

Dear friends, first of all, the Organization of Turkic States is no longer just a cultural union. It is a platform for strategic solidarity. Just as the tensions in the world affect everyone, they also closely concern the member countries of the Organization of Turkic States. Considering their proximity to conflict zones, it is possible to say that our family council is more affected by these tensions than other countries in the world. Therefore, where there is risk, measures will certainly follow. However, we are prepared for all kinds of situations. We are discussing multi-dimensional cooperation from intelligence and border security to the cyber domain. There is a trend in the world toward increasing defense spending and taking further steps regarding security. As members of the Organization of Turkic States, we are also taking steps in this direction. Further steps will also be evaluated in every respect and taken when necessary.

Upon your return from the United Nations visit, regarding your meeting with US President Mr. Donald Trump, you said, "We explained the ways to take steps first for a ceasefire and then for a lasting peace regarding both Gaza and Palestine." Afterwards, steps were taken one after another. Donald Trump had given Hamas a deadline last Friday. Then they had a phone call with you. What were Turkey's ways of persuading both the United States and Hamas in this process?

All Palestinians know that Turkey protects and observes the interests of Palestine. We defend the rights of the oppressed in Gaza and the rights of our brothers in other parts of Palestine as if we were defending ourselves. We have been striving for years to stop the bloodshed in Gaza and to ensure the safety of the oppressed. We have always been in contact with Hamas during this process. We are still in contact right now. We are explaining what the most reasonable path is and what needs to be done for Palestine to walk into the future with confident steps. Our friends are currently in Sharm El-Sheikh. They were there all day. They will start meetings from tomorrow morning. We explained to Mr. Trump how a solution can be achieved in Palestine, both during our visit to America and in our last phone call. He also specifically requested that we meet with Hamas and persuade Hamas. We contacted our interlocutors on this matter immediately. I told him that we support Mr. Trump's peace efforts. We also announced this to the public. Hamas expressed to us in its response that it is ready for peace and negotiations. In other words, it did not enter into a contrary discourse. This is a very, very valuable step in my opinion. Hamas is ahead of Israel. Why am I saying this? Because it has suffered so many losses. It has over 100,000 wounded. All the places they stayed have been razed to the ground. They don't even have a place to lay their heads anymore. We have not seen and are not seeing Israel displaying similar and constructive attitudes so far. We don't expect such an attitude from them anyway. We will try and strive to eliminate the Israeli-Palestinian problem on the basis of a two-state solution. Our hope is that, God willing, we will succeed in this with the support you provide.

A hope for peace has been born for Gaza. They accepted US President Trump's peace plan. Although negotiations are still ongoing on some articles. Now, when we look at that peace plan, there are two international formations that draw attention. One is a Peace Council positioned over the interim administration in Palestine. The other is an International Stabilization Force for security... In every speech, you say, "We are here for Gaza, for every kind of effort." I am wondering, will Turkey be able to take part in these two international formations, the Peace Council and the International Stabilization Force? Or let me ask it this way, will Turkish soldiers be in Gaza?

Our priority is to ensure an urgent and comprehensive ceasefire as soon as possible. We must achieve this first. It is essential that humanitarian aid reaches Gaza without interruption as soon as possible. Rebuilding Gaza's infrastructure, which was destroyed as a result of Israeli attacks, is also among our priorities. We are conducting intense diplomatic traffic for this. It is very, very important that Gaza remains the land of the Palestinian people. It is also very important that Palestinians ultimately govern Gaza. The issue of how security will be provided and how the stabilization force will be established and operated can be evaluated in detail. For this, I actually attach great importance to the negotiations in Sharm El-Sheikh. The meetings started today, but tomorrow's meetings are important. Our National Intelligence Organization head will also be there. The result that will emerge from there is of great importance. When I said, "We will support every kind of effort," I made this statement by taking all possibilities into account. We hope that Israel keeps its promises and does not take steps that will sabotage this peace. We are as cautious as we are hopeful for a lasting ceasefire and peace.

Mr. President, you brought 137 activists, 36 of whom were Turkish, from the Sumud Flotilla to our country. The foreign activists got off the plane thanking Turkey. Here, Turkey's global power has become even more evident. We see that our country is effective and competent in all matters in our region and is in a dual position. How should we read the process from now on?

What you mentioned was the first stage. In the second stage, a total of 16 people, 14 of whom were citizens of the Republic of Turkey, were taken from Israel. They crossed into Jordan and from there they came to Istanbul. In other words, we took the Sumud groups in Israel in two separate batches. This flotilla has made the illegal blockade Israel imposes on Gaza visible. It is important in this respect. They delivered ships carrying only humanitarian aid to Gaza's territorial waters and broke the blockade. This is the most important aspect of the success in my opinion. As Turkey, we followed the process closely with our unmanned aerial vehicles and ships from the very first moment the Sumud Flotilla set out. For example, from the images our Akıncı drones obtained on Sunday, I watched where the Sumud Flotilla was, what it was doing, and what its situation was almost from morning to night. Our teams were already watching constantly. Our Ministry of Foreign Affairs and our intelligence worked really hard during this process. Unfortunately, Israel intervened in the flotilla in international waters, violating international law. We worked hard to take both our own citizens and the citizens of other countries in the flotilla from the hands of Israel. We started the evacuation of our citizens in a short time. When the first delegation arrived, our friends, including my own daughter, our citizens, and those who came from other countries welcomed them. Turkish Airlines made preparations for all of them in a very nice way. It prepared clothes for them. Meals were offered, even including vegetarian menus. They said, "We saw interest and attention from Turkish Airlines that we haven't seen anywhere else." A different beauty emerged there beyond international diplomacy. May God be pleased with all our friends. May God be pleased with the Turkish Airlines executives. Those in the second stage also came via Jordan. They also reached safety in the best way possible. We have recorded what the activists who reached Turkey experienced with both doctor reports and legal documents. We are continuing our struggle on both the diplomatic and legal fronts. We will not take a single step back from this.

Since October 7, 2023, both the international system, the human family, and each of us individually have spent a very shaking and painful two years due to what has happened in Gaza. However, undoubtedly, due to your position, your loyalty to the Palestinian cause, and your experience, you have seen a different face of what is happening, without any veil. You have seen a dimension different from what we see, the backyard as well. I want to ask for the sake of recording history. What did you see specifically in Gaza? What would your assessment be?

I can say that Gaza has become, as it were, a visible front of the apocalypse on earth. Think about it, 67,000 Gazans martyred. On the other side, more than 169,000 injured. But there is something much more interesting. One of the friends with me today said, "These figures are wrong." I asked, "Why?" He said, "The figures are not like this. When we put those who remain under the rubble on the table, it is said that the figures are around 600,000." Let's say we are only talking about 169,000 injured right now. We are talking about our martyrs. But humanity is silent in the face of all this. Unfortunately, there is nothing being done. We have left behind two years full of pain, blood, and tears. We have witnessed a great drama, a genocide in Gaza. Israel's attacks, which trample on international law, have gone down in history as a black stain. What Israel is doing is not legitimate defense, but a planned genocide and terrorism. Those who ignore the massacres that Israel carries out recklessly before our eyes have gone down in the shame records of human history. There is no forgiving these. While Israel kills babies, targets hospitals, ambulances, marketplaces, refugee tents, United Nations missions, schools, and places of worship, those who construct sentences with "buts" and "howevers" will not be able to explain this attitude to future generations. History is recording both those who stand on the right side and those who insist on being wrong. It is clear where everyone stood during the Nazi genocide. It is also clear who ignored the genocides while they were happening in Bosnia and other geographies. Our generation knows them very well. Just as they are experiencing a shame today, a similar fate awaits those who remain silent about the Gaza genocide. We are experiencing the pride of standing on the right side of history both yesterday and today. We are at peace because of this.

In Syria, the SDF is already persistently not complying with the March 10 agreement. In fact, as of yesterday, they also carried out an attack on the Syrian army. The environment seems to have calmed down for now, but I suppose the continuation will come. At least the signs are like that. You have made your warnings many times. It is clear that Israel is provoking the SDF along with other groups. There are some meetings today as well. Beyond that, security meetings and agreements between Syria and Israel are also being mentioned. What will our action plan be in the process from now on?

We are displaying a clear stance on this issue. We will never allow Syria to be dragged into instability again. Turkey is closely monitoring all developments on the ground. Our patient, sensible, and dignified attitude should never be perceived as a weakness. The Syrian Democratic Forces must keep their promise. They must complete their integration with Syria. If we act with the spirit of a common history and a common future, I believe that many problems will be solved. I have said it before. Those who turn their direction to Ankara and Damascus will win. The Turkish, Kurdish, and Arab alliance is the key to eternal peace and tranquility in the region. No one should fall for provocations or indulge in wrong ambitions. In the tension in Aleppo, the Syrian administration has maintained its sensitivity and has also announced that it is expected that the Syrian Democratic Forces will act in accordance with the March 10 agreement. Syria's territorial integrity is indispensable for us. It is impossible for us to accept attitudes against this. Syrian President Ahmed Shara and his administration are of the same opinion as us. As Turkey, we will continue to stand by the Syrian people.

After returning from America, you had another meeting with Trump. Which topics did you discuss in this meeting? Did the F-35 issue come up? Will the CAATSA sanctions be lifted?

There is cooperation between Turkey and America in the field of defense industry, as in every field. In order to develop these relations, we are negotiating both issues with America and we expect positive results. We received positive messages in this direction in our meeting with Mr. Trump. We brought up the F-35 issue clearly and explicitly. Besides, Turkey is a country that is a partner in this project, has paid its money, and has fulfilled its obligations. There is no legitimacy to the reasons that removed us from this program. Mr. Trump had also expressed this indirectly before. Technical meetings are being held at every level for concrete steps to be taken. We hope that in the end, both the F-35 issue will be resolved and the lifting of CAATSA sanctions will be ensured. We need to achieve this as well. Our visit has started a new era in Turkey-US relations and has further strengthened the dialogue and friendship between us.

Mr. President, one of the important issues that came up in your meetings in the United States was the situation of Halk Bank. What kind of result was obtained from this meeting?

Mr. Trump said, both in our contacts in America and in our last phone call, "The Halk Bank problem is over for us." Of course, this is an important declaration of political will, and it is valuable for us as well. On the other hand, we know that there are some processes that need to be completed. Our wish is for these processes to be concluded positively as soon as possible.

Mr. President, my respects. A photo was taken at the October 1st reception where the Parliament opened. We have seen that this photo has been widely discussed in the public eye. What are your thoughts on this?

The participation of those who attended the parliamentary opening reception was very, very important to us. We also came together with the DEM Group there and had conversations. Beyond these conversations, we had the opportunity to talk and discuss what can be done for the future. I hope that what follows will be for the best. As for the photo frame taken at the reception, that frame is the true picture of Turkey. Some are trying to portray Turkey as divided into camps and shattered, but the truth is the picture of unity and solidarity there. Those who cannot be a part of that picture should sit down and hold themselves accountable.

Recently, the use of children, generally under the age of 18, by terrorist organizations and gangs has been met with sensitivity by our families. I know that in the 11th Judicial Package, there will be an increase in penalties regarding this issue. But besides these, will there be other sanctions?

The murders committed by individuals under the age of 18 have broken our hearts and continue to do so. We are determined to save our children from the hands of terrorist organizations and criminal gangs. As a state, we are in a total struggle on this issue. We are increasing the deterrent effect of penalties with the 11th Judicial Package. But punishment alone is not enough. Without strengthening the family, supporting education, and increasing social solidarity, there will be no permanent solution. Unfortunately, we are facing a problem that is too complex to be solved only with punishment or regulations to be made in the education system. In addition to penal regulations, we are working on measures that prioritize protecting children who are isolated, exposed to violence, or witness it, before they get involved in crime. In other words, we are focusing on the factors that drag children into crime, as well as the children who get involved in crime.

Inflation in September came in above expectations. Upon this, certain circles have begun to criticize the economic structure again. Would you like to give a message to these centers that produce pessimism and to our common-sense citizens on this issue?

Due to seasonal effects, inflation in September came in above expectations, that is true. But let no one turn this situation into a picture of pessimism regarding the Turkish economy. Because we are implementing a program that builds the future, not one that just saves the day. We continue to implement our program with determination and success. Along with all this, we are focused on the entire picture of the economy, not on periodic fluctuations. Fighting inflation is undoubtedly not easy. We have successfully achieved this fight in the past. We will achieve it again today. Because we are experienced in this matter. We know this business, and we are striving to overcome it. Do not worry at all, the Turkish economy is rising on strong foundations.

We know your sensitivity regarding your mother, just as we know your sensitivity regarding children and the issue of Palestine. We came across it on social media today. Today is October 7th. You surely have not forgotten.

May God be pleased with you. It is not easy. May the Lord not give anyone a life without a mother. May He not test anyone with that. I mean, so much time has passed, but from the very first moment until now, life without a mother is unbearable. May the Lord gather us with our mothers in His paradise and with His countenance.