President Erdoğan's message on Russia-Ukraine meeting: 'It was a magnificent meeting'

Erdoğan made statements following the cabinet meeting. Describing the Russia-Ukraine meeting in Istanbul as "a magnificent meeting," Erdoğan said they would begin initiatives for a leaders' summit. 

Stating, "Let us make Istanbul a center of peace," Erdoğan said, "I believe that there will be no losers in peace. We are making a sincere effort for sustainable peace. Turkey is a country that has gained everyone's trust with its fair stance." 

Giving a message of a 'terror-free Turkey,' Erdoğan said, "No matter how complicated it may be, no problem of Turkey is unsolvable."

Erdoğan's statements:

The May 14-28, 2023 elections have gone down in history as one of the turning points of our political life. Our nation made very important decisions in both elections. Instead of a structure prone to internal fighting and constant crisis production, it chose the People's Alliance in Parliament and our person for the presidency. I wholeheartedly thank each of my 27 million 835 thousand citizens. I also extend my thanks to all my citizens who went to the polls and stood up for our democracy. It is better understood today how Turkey turned back from the edge of a deep abyss. Can you imagine, those who were showering each other with praise in white shirts just two years ago are now gracing the headlines as actors of throat-cutting fights. The magnitude of the danger our country has overcome will be better understood over time.

'TERROR-FREE TURKEY' MESSAGE: NO PROBLEM OF TURKEY IS UNSOLVABLE

As the Presidential Cabinet, we have been serving our country with love for two years in complete harmony. Our goal in the remaining 3-year period is to raise our welfare level and strengthen our democracy. Turkey has the will and democratic maturity to solve all kinds of issues, especially the terror problem. Our terror-free Turkey process will be the touchstone and helmet of this. With every stage passed with composure, our society is relieved, and the state-nation integration is increasing even more. No matter how complicated it may be, no problem of Turkey is unsolvable. May God grant us many more years to serve our nation with determination. 

RUSSIA-UKRAINE MEETING IN ISTANBUL: IT WAS A MAGNIFICENT MEETING

Today, the Russian and Ukrainian delegations came together in Istanbul. It was a magnificent meeting. As a result of this meeting, although there had been prisoner exchanges of 1,000 each before, this time these exchanges exceeded 1,000. Beyond that, apart from the prisoner exchange, there was also the return of some bodies to each other on both the Russian and Ukrainian sides. These figures are also very large. These figures, given by both the Russian and Ukrainian sides, are being announced to the world public by my Foreign Minister and the media with the press statement in Istanbul. It is very important in terms of showing how much importance these meetings in Istanbul carry. My desire for both sides is to bring Mr. Putin and Zelensky together in the same way in Istanbul or Ankara. Even to include Mr. Trump with them. If they accept, I would like to meet with them as well and make Istanbul a center of peace. We will also take steps to initiate this. 

"WE WILL ALWAYS SUPPORT SYRIA"

We are pleased with the EU and US decision to lift sanctions on Syria. We will always support Syria. We will have good news about energy very soon. Syrian Airlines will soon start flights to Turkey. Ajet will organize regular flights to Syria. As Syria finds peace, all countries in the region will benefit from this. 

"WITH ALIYEV'S EFFORTS, THERE IS A MOBILIZATION FOR DEVELOPMENT AND INFRASTRUCTURE ALL OVER KARABAKH"

We realized an important day in Lachin together. During our visit, we opened the Lachin Airport to service. With the efforts of the victorious leader, President Ilham Aliyev, a mobilization for development and infrastructure is being experienced all over Karabakh after the 30-year occupation. With roads, tunnels, residential areas, and agricultural zones, Karabakh is rapidly healing the wounds of the occupation. As Turkey, we are also providing all kinds of support.

'VASSAL' REACTION TO KILIÇDAROĞLU

Turkey is neither a vassal, nor a pariah, nor a proxy actor of anyone. This should be known as such. Turkey is moving towards full independence in every field, not as the former CHP chairman claimed. 

ECONOMIC DATA

In the first 5 months of this year, our exports increased by 3.5 compared to the same period of the previous year, reaching a total of 111 billion dollars. Our annualized goods exports rose to 265.5 billion dollars, the highest level in our republican history. We estimate that our services exports will rise to 16.4 billion dollars in May. I congratulate all my brothers and sisters who contributed, especially our exporters.

We will continue to see the positive results of our economic program in the future as well. We will overcome our periodic difficulties together. We will walk towards our goals together with firm steps.

I congratulate you on your blessed Eid al-Adha in advance. I expect our citizens to prevent suffering by obeying traffic rules.

PAYMENTS TO RETIREES, THE DISABLED, AND THE ELDERLY

We started paying our retirees' holiday bonuses, which are 4 thousand liras, as of May 31. We will make a total payment of 57.4 billion liras to our 15.9 million retirees by June 4. We are also making the elderly pension and disability pension payments tomorrow.