Erdoğan says he didn't direct 'we may come suddenly one night' at Greece! 'A valuable member of NATO'...

AKP President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan gave an interview to the newspaper Kathimerini before his visit to Greece.

Pointing out that bilateral mechanisms that had been inactive for a long time have been revived, Erdoğan said, "Our dialogue channels are open and functioning at every level. Our mutual visit traffic is intense. We have the will to develop our cooperation on the basis of mutual trust in many areas that are important for our countries and our region. Now, what falls to both sides is to consolidate, institutionalize, and advance this understanding. I believe that Mr. (Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos) Mitsotakis also possesses the same will."

Erdoğan stated that this common intention would be recorded with full clarity thanks to the declaration on friendly relations and good neighborliness planned to be signed in Athens on December 7.

"WE NEED FRIENDS, NOT ENEMIES"

Stating that Turkey has never viewed its neighbor Greece as an enemy or adversary, Erdoğan said, "Like all countries, we need friends, not enemies. I often say that we believe there is no problem we cannot overcome with our neighbors, especially Greece. I think what has changed recently is that the Greek side has reviewed its perspective towards us and has begun to understand that we are a nation that never turns away a hand of friendship extended to us. Just as we always respond without hesitation to those who set their sights on the security of our people, our territorial integrity, and our national interests, we are also always open to advancing cooperation and friendship."

PRAISE FOR MITSOTAKIS

Erdoğan noted that he believes Mitsotakis understands this and that he can see Turkey's sincere desire to overcome the problems between it and Greece and to move relations forward.

Expressing his pleasure at observing an approach in Mitsotakis similar to the one in Turkey, Erdoğan said, "You asked what I would say to Mr. Mitsotakis. I will tell him this: Kyriakos, my friend, as long as you do not threaten us, we do not threaten you. Let us strengthen the trust between the two countries. Let us increase bilateral cooperation in every field: economy, trade, transport, energy, health, technology, education, youth. Let us show the necessary care and attention to the historical and cultural assets in our countries. Whether it is Aegean issues, the joint fight against irregular migration, or the ongoing problems of the Turkish minority in Greece, there is no problem we cannot solve through dialogue on the basis of mutual good will."

Pointing out that both governments were given strong public support in the elections held in both countries this year, Erdoğan said, "With this support, both we and Mr. Mitsotakis are in a position to take strong and constructive steps."

"PROBLEMS CAN BE SOLVED"

Noting that he believes problems will be solved within the framework of dialogue and good will, Erdoğan continued his words as follows:

"Of course, in the meantime, we have many problems besides the continental shelf. We must address these as a whole, as a package. It is not the right approach to approach issues selectively and talk about some while not talking about others. Because they are all interconnected. When we go to international arbitration, we should not leave any problems behind. But above all, we must talk about all our problems courageously and guide our public opinions correctly.

Our will to solve problems here will be extremely decisive. This will of ours is strong. When you look at the effort we show to resolve the disputes happening around us and our ability to make progress, you can see Turkey's understanding and potential to eliminate issues through peaceful means."

Stating that Turkey's sincerity and call are clear, Erdoğan noted that if Greece also presents a similar approach that is closed to external interference, he believes a good start can be made on the path to building a peaceful future for both countries.

"WE MAY COME SUDDENLY ONE NIGHT" REMARK RECALLED

Erdoğan also answered a question regarding his words "we may come suddenly one night", which have been reflected in the Greek press many times.

Claiming that he used the phrase "we may come suddenly one night" for "terror elements," Erdoğan said the following:

"However, those who threaten us should fear us. We said 'we may come suddenly one night' against terror elements that threaten the security of our country, and we did what was necessary. We have destroyed their terror nests, and we will continue to do so. This has always been the response from us to those who reach out to our territorial integrity, our unity, and our togetherness, and this will not change from now on. Defending our homeland and protecting the peace of our nation is our most natural right, and no one should have any doubt that we will continue to use this right to the end against all terror centers."

A VALUABLE MEMBER OF NATO

Pointing out that Greece is not Turkey's adversary but a valuable member of the alliance (NATO) it is in, Erdoğan said, "Furthermore, we are neighbors, we will remain neighbors, and we must mutually respect each other's rights and vital interests. The Greek people, with whom we have lived together for centuries, know well how embracing we are when we extend our hand of friendship. They know the tolerance and sincerity in our culture very closely. We want to advance our relations on the basis of mutual understanding and live in peace in this geography. We are a country that has proven many times that we do not say this just for the sake of talking when we express it. The Western media is in an effort to distort these words of mine."

HAGIA SOPHIA STATEMENT

Stating that Hagia Sophia is under the ownership of the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Foundation and is essentially being used in accordance with the purpose of its endowment by the relevant Council of State decision, Erdoğan said:

"We are protecting this distinguished sanctuary with a meticulousness and respect that human history will rarely see, and we are enabling all of humanity to benefit from this magnificent monument in both material and spiritual ways. The practices and protection efforts of the last 570 years are also a registration of how meticulously our state approaches the subject at every layer of history. Now, we have started the largest comprehensive work at the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque since the protection works carried out during the Mimar Sinan period. Hagia Sophia Mosque will continue to be open to visitors of all religions and beliefs as a symbol of peace and tolerance."

HALKII THEOLOGICAL SCHOOL

Noting that with a decision taken by the Constitutional Court in 1971, all private higher education institutions across the country were nationalized, Erdoğan emphasized that this decision covered not only the Halki Theological School but all private higher education institutions in Turkey.

President Erdoğan stated that the Theological School lost its legal basis because there was no official higher education institution to which it could be transferred, and its activities stopped, saying, "In fact, today, the reopening of the Halki Theological School could only be possible as a result of comprehensive legislative changes. On the other hand, the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople has not approached positively the idea of the Theological School resuming education within the structure of a state university, subject to the Council of Higher Education (YÖK) legislation."

IRREGULAR MIGRATION

Pointing out that a serious increase has been observed in migration movements worldwide due to both political instabilities and different concerns, Erdoğan continued his words as follows:

"Unfortunately, criminal structures that profit from these searches of people and generate serious income are also increasing rapidly. As we have always said, this is not an issue that states can overcome on their own. Ultimately, irregular migration is a common challenge and requires common efforts. Naturally, as a country, we continue our fight against irregular migration with our intense efforts."

Stating that it is important for the European Union (EU) to support Turkey on this issue, President Erdoğan noted that, in the final analysis, it is essential to take joint steps aimed at preventing migration at its source, which envisages equal burden and responsibility sharing.

Stating that this should not be limited to cooperation between Turkey and Greece or migration movements in the Aegean, Erdoğan emphasized that an extremely large-scale struggle is necessary, requiring the involvement of the entire international community.

Erdoğan said, "We have always been open to sincere cooperation on this issue, and we continue to be. Moreover, the migration issue is a problem area that will not be removed from the world agenda even if wars end. There are predictions that one of the negative consequences of global climate change is climate migration and that this will increase in the future. Therefore, we must produce permanent solutions and functioning mechanisms for this problem. We must think about this issue with a holistic approach and be able to discuss problem-solving formulas."

"THE RIGHT SIDE OF HISTORY..."

Pointing out that Turkey is a country that is in the same Customs Union and holds candidate status within the framework of its relations with the EU dating back to 1963, Erdoğan stated that in this direction, Turkey has an extremely wide common denominator with EU and NATO member countries with its democratic structure and the values it defends.

Expressing that Turkey is also a founding member of many international organizations called Western, especially the UN and the Council of Europe, Erdoğan said, "We have always been the voice of equity, justice, and conscience in international relations. In line with this understanding, which we take as a guide in international developments, our main goal is to be on the right side of history."

"DOES TURKEY BELONG TO THE WEST?"

President Erdoğan stated that Turkey's reaction to the injustices and inhumane treatment suffered by the Palestinian people and its refusal to refrain from criticizing Israel due to its actions that clearly violate international law, international humanitarian law, and human rights law, is a natural requirement of this goal.

Erdoğan noted the following: "Remaining silent about the atrocity in Gaza is the most vivid example of this. In fact, by opposing the genocide in Gaza, we are also defending the fundamental values of Western society. In Gaza, the fundamental rights of people of all ages, from babies in cradles, are being trampled upon. Where does remaining silent about the blatant destruction of human rights, the systematic seizure of people's homes and lands by ignoring their property rights, and the deprivation of Palestinians' right to self-determination fall within the values of Western civilization? Is the bombing of hospitals, the hitting of schools, refugee camps, and marketplaces, and the killing of civilians in accordance with Western values? Is it a situation adopted by the West to tell people in Gaza to 'go south' and then rain bombs on those who head there? Now I ask, are the countries that deliberately remain silent about all these, or is Turkey, the one that belongs to the West?"