Trade with Israel terminated! First statement from Erdoğan...

Making statements while receiving a MÜSİAD delegation, President and AKP Chairman Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said regarding the complete cessation of trade with Israel: "We have only one goal here. It is to force the Netanyahu administration into a ceasefire. Once a ceasefire is declared, the objective will have been achieved."

Erdoğan, who also gave messages regarding the economy, had regional peace and Israel on his agenda. Erdoğan said, "Turkey ranks first in the world with nearly 50 thousand tons of humanitarian aid sent to Gaza. As you know, we have taken certain measures commercially to force Israel into a ceasefire. In the first stage, we imposed export restrictions on 54 product groups. As of yesterday, we have stopped export and import transactions with Israel, covering all products."

HE ATTRIBUTED INFLATION TO THE ELECTION MARATHON

Attributing the rise in inflation to the election marathon, Erdoğan continued as follows:

In the last year, we experienced 3 consecutive elections that strained our country's economy. The election marathon, which was highly competitive, has exhausted our nation, our economy, and our business world. As of the morning of April 1, we have left the election agenda completely behind. Turkey has a 4-year, treasure-like period ahead without elections. During this 4-year period, we will be able to focus on our main agenda, primarily the resolution of our economic difficulties. We shared the medium-term program and the 12th development plan with the public last year.

'STARTING FROM THE SECOND HALF OF THE YEAR...'

We are taking decisive steps to reduce inflation, which is our priority. The April inflation and foreign trade data are in line with our MTP expectations. We see that the increase in exports continues. We will see more promising figures in inflation starting from the second half of the year. We will solve the issue of the cost of living by reducing inflation and ensuring a permanent increase in prosperity.