Erdoğan speaks for the first time after returning from US visit: 'It was too beautiful to be tarnished by the mud slung at it'

President and AKP Chairman Recep Tayyip Erdoğan evaluated his contacts to journalists on the plane upon his return from his US trip.

Providing details regarding his contacts at the United Nations General Assembly and his meeting with US President Donald Trump, Erdoğan said, "We are leaving Washington satisfied. It was a visit too beautiful to be tarnished by the mud slung at it."

Here are the main points from Erdoğan's statements:

"We held a very comprehensive meeting with American President Mr. Donald Trump. We examined the steps that will pave the way for cooperation in the field of defense with a constructive perspective. One of the fundamental topics of our meeting was the steps that can be taken to end the atrocities in Gaza."

"Our meeting was very, very important in terms of demonstrating the will to end the massacres in Gaza. Mr. Trump expressed the necessity of ending the conflicts in Gaza and reaching a lasting peace at the meeting."

"We stated that the two-state solution is the formula that will ensure lasting peace in the region and that the current situation cannot be sustained. Mr. Trump is also aware that the current situation cannot continue like this. As Turkey, our primary goal is for the massacres in Gaza to end as soon as possible."

EVALUATION OF THE US VISIT BY ERDOĞAN

In his statements, President Erdoğan first evaluated his contacts and said that he met with many heads of state.

Stating that the Palestinian issue left its mark on the UN General Assembly, Erdoğan said, "This year's General Assembly was marked by the genocide in Gaza in particular, and the Palestinian cause in general. 10 more Western countries, led by the United Kingdom and France, which are members of the United Nations Security Council, announced that they recognize Palestine.

The recognition decisions of these two countries, especially as Security Council members, are of a historical nature. There is no doubt that the diplomatic efforts of us and countries like us that stand on the right side of history had a great impact on reaching this point."

Stating that Israel has drawn the reaction of the international community, Erdoğan continued his words as follows:

"Israel aims to stifle these efforts with the reckless steps it has taken and its occupation policies. As you have been following, I drew attention to this issue exclusively both in my address to the General Assembly, in our meeting on Gaza with American President Mr. Trump, and at the conference held under the co-chairmanship of France and Saudi Arabia. We will continue our efforts in this direction."

Stating that he drew attention to important issues in his speech to the UN General Assembly, Erdoğan said, "We touched upon the efforts we have made to bring peace and stability to our region, especially the defense of the legitimate rights of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, as well as Syria and the Ukraine-Russia War."

"WE HELD COMPREHENSIVE MEETINGS WITH TRUMP"

President Erdoğan made the following statement regarding his meeting with US President Trump:

"In the second leg of our visit, we held a very comprehensive meeting with American President Mr. Donald Trump. We examined the steps that will pave the way for cooperation in the field of defense with a constructive perspective. One of the fundamental topics of our meeting was the steps that can be taken to end the atrocities in Gaza.

We also had a very detailed exchange of ideas on maintaining stability in Syria and establishing an environment of peace in the Middle East. I hope that our contacts and work at the United Nations and the decisions we took in our meeting with my dear friend Mr. Trump will be auspicious for our country, our nation, and our region."

"IT WAS A VISIT TOO BEAUTIFUL TO BE TARNISHED BY THE MUD SLUNG AT IT"

"We were hosted very well by Mr. Trump and his delegation at the White House. We are leaving Washington satisfied. It was a visit too beautiful to be tarnished by the mud slung at it. We held our meetings with Mr. President in a sincere, constructive, and productive atmosphere.

Our relationship with Mr. Trump has already been very good since the known past. We had a different dialogue during his first term, and that continues. I believe this will also reflect positively on Turkish-American relations. Until today, we have used and continue to use an open, clear, and principled language when talking to our friends. Mr. Trump is also a politician who likes to speak openly and expresses his thoughts without a veil."

"I SUPPORT TRUMP'S VISION FOR GLOBAL PEACE"

"We are advancing our relations with America on the basis of mutual respect. Of course, it is not possible to resolve every issue with a single meeting. However, this contact led us to make meaningful progress on many issues. The trade volume and potential of the two countries are obvious. We have a bilateral trade target of 100 billion dollars. As leaders, we have the political will to put this into action.

"In our meeting, in addition to trade and investments, we also discussed the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza and the issue of Syria. I also support Mr. Trump's vision for global peace. There is a consensus on both sides regarding stopping the bloodshed. Hopefully, we will achieve a breakthrough on this issue in a short time. We also had the opportunity to discuss all these issues in every aspect at dinner. Both I and my minister colleagues evaluated these."

When asked, "You made a very important speech at the United Nations regarding Gaza. In your one-on-one meeting with Trump, did you tell him about the blood shed in Gaza, the children who died, the hunger? Did you remind him? Did you say 'It must be stopped'? What kind of meeting was it in the context of Gaza?" Erdoğan replied as follows:

"Mr. Trump expressed the necessity of ending the conflicts in Gaza and reaching a lasting peace at the meeting. We explained how a ceasefire, and then a lasting peace, could be reached in Gaza and in all of Palestine. A consensus was formed there. Our meeting at the White House was a continuation of our meeting in New York.

We stated that the two-state solution is the formula that will ensure lasting peace in the region and that the current situation cannot be sustained. Mr. Trump is also aware that the current situation cannot continue like this. As Turkey, our primary goal is for the massacres in Gaza to end as soon as possible."

"THE PALESTINIAN CAUSE IS MUCH BETTER KNOWN TODAY"

The President was reminded of the photos of Gazan children he showed at the UN General Assembly and was asked, "What did you feel when you saw those photos? Two, do you agree with the view that it may be possible for this oppression to stop with Israel becoming increasingly isolated and America realizing that it is being harmed by this situation?" While answering this question, Erdoğan said:

"We saw once again at the General Assembly that Israel has begun to become isolated with its oppression and the crimes against humanity it has committed. Where words end, photos translate our feelings. The feet of a child who has been reduced to skin and bone say everything. The pitiful state of that little one pointed to the oppressors on one hand, and dealt a substantial slap of truth to those who remained spectators to the oppression on the other."

"The people among the ruins, looking with desperate eyes to get a bowl of food with buckets and pots in their hands, told us about Gaza. Those frames said to us, “you cannot stop”, “you cannot rest”, “you cannot get tired”. We are telling, we are looking for a remedy, we are striving to help them. Thank God, as those who defend justice and conscience, we are stronger today than we were yesterday."

"The Palestinian Cause is much better known today than it was yesterday. All the cries of conscientious people are bothering Israel much more today than yesterday. Look, is there anyone left standing by Israel other than a handful of countries? This picture emerged because they now see who is right, who is wrong, who is the oppressed, and who is the oppressor."

"Those who turned a deaf ear when we said “two-state solution” are now on the same side as us. We are speaking for the children of Gaza, for the honor of Jerusalem, for the dignity of Al-Aqsa Mosque. Those who have signed off on so many massacres, genocides, and human rights violations will be held accountable before both law and history. When that day comes, just as it is today, Gaza will be Palestinian land and these wounds will be healed. Honestly, I believe in this."

Erdoğan was also asked, "England and France took a step to recognize Palestine, but will they show a parallel political approach after this? Or will they insist on the goal of disarming and eliminating Hamas?" While answering this question, Erdoğan first said, "These recognition decisions carry a meaning. Remaining neutral in the face of oppression actually encourages the oppressor. The way for these decisions to fully achieve their purpose is through increasing international pressure on Israel," and then continued his evaluation as follows:

"The formula that will bring Israel closer to a two-state solution is for the international community, law, non-governmental organizations, and opinion leaders to take a united stance. No matter what Netanyahu and his network of massacres say, there is always hope. In all the countries that recognize Palestine, the muffled voice of the oppressors is insufficient to drown out the cries of the oppressed."

"Let them not think that the children dreaming of a Free Palestine among the ruins are alone… They are not. Countries, leaders, and most importantly, peoples see, hear, and know them. As a matter of fact, the meeting held in the main hall regarding Palestine this year is important."

''There had never been such a summit in the United Nations meetings I have been attending for 13 years. That meeting, which Macron chaired and where the Saudi Arabian representative was present, the participation in that hall, was for the first time this high, this full of excitement. The states that showed the will to recognize Palestine put forward the message “justice still exists, conscience has not yet fallen silent” in a very strong way. Now, the requirements of diplomatic recognition must also be fulfilled, and they must stand by the oppressed, victimized people of this state."

Erdoğan was also asked, "What are the new steps that Turkey will take in the coming period, especially in crisis regions such as Palestine, Syria, and Ukraine?" President Erdoğan gave the following answer to this question:

"Let's take the Ukraine-Russia war. Do you think only these two countries are losing there? There is a process there that makes everyone lose. That's how war is. Because we know this fact, we want peace to replace wars, and tranquility and stability to replace conflicts. Of course, it is easy to start wars, but difficult to end them. For this reason, we are striving for peace in all regions, especially in the conflict areas around us. It is possible to see that our efforts are not in vain if we look at the results we have obtained. The Black Sea Grain Corridor, prisoner exchanges, and the Istanbul negotiations are some of these results. As Turkey, we will continue our struggle until the bloodshed stops."

Upon being reminded that Türkevi has become a meeting place preferred by heads of state, Erdoğan made the following statement:

"Our Türkevi truly makes us proud every time we come. By hosting our friends in the best way possible, we are fulfilling the requirements of being a great state in New York. It is good that we have left a mark on history by building Türkevi in this way. We can say, “We now have a place in America where we can host all our friends.” Türkevi is a center of diplomacy, and we can discuss the most important issues on the world's agenda here."

"We are expressing here how a solution, justice, and lasting peace can be established. This diplomatic traffic reveals a portrait of a Turkey that produces solutions not only in words but also in the field and at the table. The diplomatic traffic here is an indicator of Turkey's constantly increasing effectiveness. As the power of our word increases, our role in solving problems also expands."

"Thank God, both the meetings we held here with heads of state and government and the negotiations we held with businessmen bring Turkey to a much different position before them, and we find the opportunity to hear many things from them as well."

"TERRORISTS HAVE NO PLACE IN THE FUTURE OF SYRIA"

Erdoğan was asked, reminding him of the UN contacts of Syrian President Ahmed Shara, "You also met with Mr. Shara at Türkevi. What would you like to say about Syria's territorial integrity and its future?" President Erdoğan answered this question as follows:

"We discussed the latest situation with Syrian President Ahmed Shara at our Türkevi in New York. Their participation in the United Nations General Assembly this year was very, very important for the international legitimacy of the Syrian government. The reconstruction of the Syrian economy and infrastructure is also very important.

We are developing cooperation projects with Syria in every field; we always attach importance to Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity. Arabs, Turkmens, Kurds, Sunnis, and Nusayris, Druze, Christians… In other words, we want a country where Syrians live side by side in peace with all their identities.

The Syrian administration also shares the same feelings as us. We will not turn a blind eye to any initiative that will dynamite this. Terrorist organizations have no place in the future of Syria, and they cannot have one. The international community should also take steps for peace and stability in Syria. It should refrain from activities that encourage terrorist organizations in the region. We especially attach great importance to the lifting of sanctions against Syria."

Other questions directed to Erdoğan and his answers are as follows:

QUESTION: Is the good relationship established between Egypt and Turkey, and even the fact that the two countries' Naval Forces are currently conducting joint exercises in the Mediterranean after a 13-year hiatus, a sign that a similar maritime jurisdiction agreement to the one between Turkey and Libya could also be made with Egypt? At the same time, how would the Turkey-Libya-Egypt rapprochement be echoed in the Israel and Greece front in this context? In addition to this, is it clear when our second aircraft carrier, whose construction has just begun and from which the KIZILELMA unmanned combat aircraft will take off and land, will join the navy?

ERDOĞAN: "The peace achieved between the two warring parties in Libya through Turkey's mediation has been a source of hope not only for the Libyan people but for the entire region. The good relations we have established with Egypt and the fact that our Naval Forces are conducting exercises together in the Mediterranean after 13 years is a concrete indicator of the role Turkey plays in regional peace and security. Turkey and Egypt are two important countries in our region. The progress in our relations in recent years is at historical levels. We are working to increase these areas of cooperation.

Turkey has no designs on anyone's rights or sovereignty. However, it is also determined to protect its own rights and interests. Our approach regarding resources in the Mediterranean is clear. We take our share of these resources and do business together with our neighbors with a win-win principle.

This determined stance of Turkey causes calculations to be recalculated in the region; Turkey is now a power that has a say at the table, is a decision-maker, and is a director. As for the work regarding the construction of our aircraft carrier, the responsibility for this issue belongs primarily to our Naval Forces Commander, and especially our Minister of National Defense Yaşar Güler is following the matter. If we use an expression like “it will be finished at this time” as a time, it would be a bit exaggerated. But hopefully, we will finish our ship within 1-2 years.

QUESTION: Mr. President, you are a leader who has put a lot of effort into the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, especially in recent years. There is an election there on October 19, and you emphasize the two-state solution proposal on the Island at every opportunity and on every platform. Can Turkey's Cyprus policy change according to the election results on October 19?

ERDOĞAN: Our mind and our policy on Cyprus are clear. The federation book is closed for us now. No one can drag us back into federation discussions with word games. The Turkish Cypriot will never accept being a minority on the Island. The only realistic solution is the acceptance of the existence of two separate states on the Island.

We already expressed this clearly in our address to the United Nations General Assembly. We revealed our stance there once again; we announced it to the whole world. It would be wrong to expect this stance of ours to change. We want the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus elections to be auspicious. We believe that the Turkish Cypriot people will make the most correct and accurate choice. As the motherland and guarantor, we will never leave our Turkish Cypriot brothers and sisters alone.

QUESTION: In your August 30 Victory Day speech last year, you emphasized the internal front. You said, “If a breach is opened in our internal fortress, it will be arduous to patch it up. We will all pay the price. I believe that no one who loves their nation and feels they belong to these lands will give an opportunity to a climate of losing.” In the past 1 year, wars and tension points have increased even more in the world. What kind of message would you like to give to the opposition regarding the internal front at this point?

ERDOĞAN: That expression of mine was a reflection and determination of a very, very determined stance. With our emphasis on the internal front, we expressed the need for our country to strengthen in every field and for unity and solidarity to be reinforced. As a matter of fact, this process continued with the “Terror-Free Turkey” initiative launched afterwards. Hopefully, our country will reach the “Terror-Free Turkey” goal and we will walk into the future more strongly.

Every initiative that divides our nation, separates us, and damages our brotherhood actually serves the powers that try to destroy us from within. We will never allow this. If our internal front is strong, no one can make us kneel outside, and they cannot impose dictates on us.

We are strengthening our country not only on the internal front but in every field right now. We will continue to increase our breakthroughs in the defense industry, technology moves, economy, and many other fields. We are determined to leave a fully independent and prosperous Turkey to the generations after us.