Erdoğan: 'Those who complain about us today will offer prayers of gratitude tomorrow'

President and AKP Chairman Recep Tayyip Erdoğan made a statement at the TOBB General Assembly held at the TOBB Twin Towers.

Erdoğan said the following:

“As Turkey, we are unfortunately also being affected by the general course of the global economy. During the February 6 earthquakes, more than 53 thousand of our people lost their lives, and 850 thousand independent units became unusable.

These friends of ours are the closest witnesses to the struggle we have waged for the recovery of our earthquake-stricken provinces. We did not compromise our determined stance, even at the cost of paying a price at the ballot box in the local elections.

"WE ARE TAKING CRITICAL STEPS"

We have not taken any steps that would place an additional burden on our country for our personal future, and we will not do so in the future. Those who complain about us today will offer prayers of gratitude for us tomorrow. We have begun to see the results of our economic program.

Despite the weak outlook in external demand and the effects of the earthquake, we have broken the record in our republican history. Another issue of vital importance to us is employment. The unemployment rate is at its lowest in the last 11 years. We will definitely resolve the supply-demand imbalance.

We will focus on policies aimed at increasing qualified employment. Our country's risk premium is gradually falling. Access to external financing is becoming easier. We are taking critical steps to strengthen our medium-term program.

"WE HAVE 3 MAIN PRIORITIES"

We have 3 main priorities in strengthening the program. Turkey is a country that must both grow by producing and use its resources in the most efficient way. We cannot rely on anything other than our sweat and the strength of our arms.

We are a country that has shown care in protecting public property, which is the right of the orphan. We are implementing a very strong application model with this package. The measures cover the entire public sector. All public institutions and personnel must comply with the austerity measures.

"WE ARE PASSENGERS ON THE SAME SHIP"

We are all passengers on the ship of Turkey. It is our common duty to bring this ship from stormy waters to the safety of the shore. Whoever attempts to drill a hole in the bottom of the ship, it is in our common interest to stop them. Since our issues are common, we must reach a solution together with common sense and common will. As long as we work with this understanding, success will belong to all of us.”