Erdoğan sets date for local election candidates! 'I will meet with Bahçeli and...'

President and AKP Chairman Recep Tayyip Erdoğan made statements to journalists on the plane returning from his visit to Greece.

Erdoğan shared his thoughts on the Greece visit and the strategies for the local elections.

SET A DATE

While stating that they would act jointly with the MHP, Erdoğan expressed that they would begin announcing their candidates starting from December 15.

Erdoğan's statements also included harsh criticisms regarding Israel's occupation of Gaza. Refusing to label Hamas as a terrorist organization, Erdoğan drew attention to the oppression in Palestine and criticized the silence of the international community.

Responding to a question about the 'energy disputes' between Greece and Turkey, Erdoğan said, "Just as we do not have our eyes on anyone's rights or law, our will to not let anyone trample on our rights is firm. Moreover, an inclusive and fair sharing in the Eastern Mediterranean is possible. As long as we build the ground to ensure this, create correct roadmaps, and do not give opportunities for provocations. The conference we proposed to be organized would be the right approach to establish that ground."

"WE WOULD HAVE LIKED TO SEE THEM ALONGSIDE PALESTINE"

Describing his 'Gaza' dialogue with Mitsotakis, Erdoğan said, "Today, I told Mitsotakis, 'We would have liked to see you alongside Palestine.' I said, 'I wish you had not remained among those who abstained, and that you had stood with these 121 countries.' Our duty is to remind them of the truth."

When asked about the letter from Spanish Prime Minister Sanchez, Erdoğan said, "Spain, with Sanchez, turned out to be brave enough to say, 'I will make my proposal for Palestine to be recognized by the European Union.' That is why I applaud him."

Responding to a question about the F-16 issue with the US, Erdoğan said, "Canada, as Turkey, insists on 'Sweden, Sweden' regarding the issue of UAV-SIHA cameras we requested to purchase from them... The US is saying the same thing. You say you will take a step on the F-16 issue after it passes through Congress, but I also have a parliament. It is not possible for me to take such a step without it passing through my parliament. If we are two allied countries in NATO, then in solidarity, you do your part simultaneously, and our Parliament will take the necessary decision. That is the situation."

"SHOULD LEARN A LESSON"

When asked about France's decision to send armored personnel carriers to Armenia, Erdoğan said: "The Armenian administration should learn a lesson from what they have experienced in the recent past and should not fall for these provocations. It would be in Armenia's interest to evaluate the peace opportunity that has been seized and not fall into the trap of countries that misdirect Armenia. Peace-based relations to be established with Azerbaijan are the best option for Armenia. Those who put weapons in their hands will leave Armenia alone in a difficult time."

Erdoğan made a general assessment regarding his visit to Greece and said the following:

"My dear members of the press, I greet you with my most heartfelt feelings, with love and respect. We have successfully completed our official visit to Athens within the framework of the invitation of Greek Prime Minister Mr. Mitsotakis. As you know, we were the ones who carried out the first official visit at the Head of State level between the two countries after a 65-year hiatus in 2017. This time, we were very pleased to be in Athens again on the occasion of the High-Level Cooperation Council. We held the last meeting of the High-Level Cooperation Council, which we established during my Prime Ministry, in 2016.

During our visit today, we held the 5th meeting of our council after a 7-year interval. During our meeting, agreement texts were signed in various fields from education to agriculture, from tourism to trade. First, we held a meeting with President Ms. Katerina Sakellaropoulou. Afterwards, we met with Prime Minister Mr. Kyriakos Mitsotakis. We co-chaired the 5th meeting of our Council, which was held with the participation of our ministers. In our meetings within the framework of our visit, we reviewed all dimensions of our bilateral relations.

PERMANENT CEASEFIRE

We evaluated the steps that can be taken to further develop our cooperation on the basis of a positive agenda. Regional and global developments were also on our agenda. We brought up the oppression taking place in the occupied Palestinian territories, especially in Gaza. We shared our conviction that the international community should not remain silent in the face of the massacres being committed. We discussed what can be done regarding the establishment of a permanent ceasefire and the restoration of the uninterrupted flow of humanitarian aid.

MITSOTAKIS INVITED TO ANKARA

I signed the Athens Declaration on friendly relations and good neighborliness with Prime Minister Mitsotakis. Thus, we have mutually confirmed our will to develop our bilateral relations at the highest level. Both countries have more than enough accumulation, experience, and will to resolve their problems amicably without the need for the intervention of third parties. To ensure this, I am of the opinion that the continuation of our high-level dialogue is of great importance. I invited my friend Mitsotakis to Ankara for the subsequent council meeting.

During my visit, I also received the members of the Western Thrace Turkish Minority Advisory Board. I chatted with our kinsmen and listened to their problems. I once again expressed our support for them to fully benefit from minority rights stemming from international agreements. I believe that my visit, which took place in a very positive atmosphere, will open a new page in Turkey-Greece relations. I wish that our meetings and the decisions we have taken will be auspicious for the future of our cooperation."