Erdoğan's remarks on 'Bahçeli', 'concerts', and 'Assad': 'We are in full agreement'

President and AKP Chairman Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has returned to the country after completing his contacts in Riyadh and Baku.

Erdoğan answered questions from journalists on the plane during his return journey.

“WE ARE MAKING EFFORTS TO ENSURE COERCIVE MEASURES ARE TAKEN AGAINST ISRAEL”

The first stop of Erdoğan's visits was Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia. Erdoğan attended the Second Extraordinary Joint Summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the Arab League there.

In his speech, the President stated that he drew attention to the need for humanitarian aid to reach those in need in an uninterrupted and regular manner, with an immediate ceasefire in Gaza being the priority.

Erdoğan said, “We are making intense efforts to keep the pressure on Israel alive and to ensure that coercive measures are taken against this country based on international law.”

“TURKEY IS THE COUNTRY THAT HAS TAKEN THE MOST CONCRETE STEP”

Pointing out that Turkey has given the strongest and most concrete response to Israel's ongoing attacks in the region, Erdoğan said that 52 countries and two international organizations have expressed support for the initiative Turkey launched at the United Nations to prevent the shipment of arms and ammunition to Israel.

President Erdoğan said, “We recently conveyed our letter regarding this initiative to the President of the United Nations General Assembly Security Council and the United Nations Secretary-General. At our summit in Riyadh, a decision was also taken inviting all members of the organization and the Arab League to sign our letter. Our country's steps to stop the massacre and its humanitarian aid efforts were praised.”

BILATERAL CONTACTS IN RIYADH

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan also explained that he had the opportunity to hold bilateral meetings on the occasion of the summit.

Stating that his meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was productive, Erdoğan explained that he held contacts and meetings with the heads of state, government, and other officials from Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Lebanon, Iraq, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Chad, Guinea-Bissau, Senegal, and the Maldives, in addition to King Abdullah of Jordan and Palestinian Leader Mahmoud Abbas.

DREW ATTENTION TO THE IMPORTANCE OF THE ZERO WASTE PROJECT IN BAKU

Recalling that he moved to Azerbaijan for the second leg of his visit, Erdoğan thanked Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev for his hospitality at the World Leaders Climate Action Summit held in Baku.

Stating that the most anticipated negotiation topic at the summit was climate change financing, Erdoğan said, “In particular, how the financial resources needed by developing countries will be created was discussed. We evaluated the confirmation of the 100 billion dollar annual climate finance target announced at the 2009 Denmark Climate Summit for the post-2025 period and its support with additional mechanisms.”

Stating that he explained Turkey's steps and efforts in the fight against climate change in his speech at the summit, Erdoğan said, “I expressed the importance of the Zero Waste Movement, which was initiated with the initiatives of my wife Emine Erdoğan and turned into a global project in a short time. I also pointed to the progress we have made in the areas of afforestation, water management, and renewable energy.”

President Erdoğan stated that he also held bilateral contacts in Baku, adding, “In this context, we met with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of Moldova Maia Sandu, President of Montenegro Jakov Milatovic, and President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev. In these meetings, we held consultations on regional developments along with our bilateral relations.”

The questions directed to President Erdoğan and his responses are as follows:

CLIMATE SUMMIT

QUESTION: With your participation, Turkey became one of the countries represented at the highest level at the COP29 Climate Summit held in Baku. Renewable energy sources in energy production have risen to 55 percent during the AK Party government, which is a record. Turkey, which sees green development as a national issue, has placed fifth in Europe and 11th in the world, as you just mentioned. Evaluating this in this context, is our zero-emission target by 2053 realistic and will we be able to achieve it, sir?

The climate issue is one of the most critical findings before the world. We approach this issue with the same seriousness as we care about wars, conflicts, and migrations. As the government in Turkey, we insistently focus on what measures we can take on this issue with our relevant ministries. We have taken, are taking, and will continue to take our measures to use our world's limited resources in the most efficient way and to bring our civilization, which we have developed as humanity over centuries, to a very different level. As Turkey, we care about this issue and make maximum efforts to do our part. However, it is not possible to find a deep-rooted and permanent solution to this issue with the efforts of only us or a few countries with us. We must act in an organized manner and shoulder the burden of this problem together. If some countries fight climate change completely while others ignore the necessary measures out of greed for profit, or even try to pollute the environment more, we cannot overcome this problem. We can overcome this global problem with a state of mobilization focused on the goal and with high awareness, starting from families, the smallest unit of societies, to institutions, organizations, local governments, civil society, countries, and international organizations. Especially for the participation of countries that do not have sufficient resources and opportunities in the fight against climate change, finance, technology transfer, and capacity development are important. In these days when the importance of the Zero Waste initiative is understood more and more every day, we are making efforts to spread this initiative and turn it into a lifestyle. Our environmental and climate sensitivity is at the highest level and will remain so. Just as we have taken our measures so far, we will continue to take them from now on.

US ELECTIONS AND TURKISH-AMERICAN RELATIONS

QUESTION: Mr. Donald Trump was the one who won the presidential race in the United States. You also had a phone call with him. I would like to ask you to evaluate the course of Turkish-American relations in the new period, in terms of opportunities and risks, and this new period.

The development of relations between Turkey and the United States in the new period will not be achieved through a phone diplomacy we conducted. We will determine how we will evaluate the next process much better by coming together with Mr. Trump, hopefully in international meetings or bilateral meetings. We need to see how Mr. Trump's cabinet will be formed and what kind of cabinet will emerge. Also, Mr. Trump's cabinet will get to know and know each other much more closely through the meetings they will have with the friends in my cabinet, and we will hopefully take our steps accordingly. At this point, the Vice Presidents and Foreign Ministers are important. These ministers will come together to get to know each other and consult. Our hope is that a much different process will begin between Turkey and the United States. Undoubtedly, opportunities always exist between the two countries. Our basic expectation is the will to evaluate these opportunities and to take steps that will benefit both countries. We approach the subject from the perspective of our country's interests, as every leader does. The Trump administration sees the economy as one of its priority goals. Turkey is also a country that offers investment opportunities with its strategic geographical location and young population. We can create new opportunities to increase the trade volume and encourage investments between the two countries. In particular, it is possible for us to develop new collaborations in the fields of energy, infrastructure, and technology.

QUESTION: Elon Musk and his son were with you during your meeting with Trump. Also, when you met with Elon Musk at the Turkish House in New York, he came out with your book “A Fairer World is Possible” in his hand. The issue I am curious about is whether you meet with Elon Musk from time to time at this point? Besides this, what awaits Turkey on the global level in terms of Turkey's space exploration efforts and technology-related work?

Musk took part alongside Mr. Trump in this campaign. The issue that interests us here is that Musk is a business person working in the field of space and technology... He is a name who follows technology closely and also takes some serious technological steps. We had a meeting with him in Turkey regarding this issue. When we met with him at the Turkish House at the last United Nations General Assembly, he had brought his child with him and had come to the Turkish House like that. We held our meeting at the Turkish House in a sincere atmosphere. The breakthroughs Turkey has made in the field of technology are attracting the world's attention. Technology is not a field you can advance in alone; you definitely need some collaborations. If opportunities for cooperation arise in this field, steps can be taken with Musk as well. We will see in time in which field Elon Musk will serve in the Trump administration and in which field he will be useful to Mr. Trump or the American administration with the duty he has taken.

POINTED TO JANUARY

QUESTION: To what extent did Donald Trump's election reduce the threat of regional war and Israeli occupation?

It seems a bit early to me for findings on this subject. Let's see Trump take over the office from Biden. We will see what kind of steps he will take in the new period after the handover, then. Our hope is that Trump will take much different steps towards the region in this period. Because the messages given from time to time can worry us. For that, we need to see January. I think we will see what kind of steps will be taken from January onwards. Just as we met and talked with him within a few days after he was elected, I believe that we will carry out these contacts in the same way in the coming period. Because in the past, our meetings with Trump were far more than those with Biden. Hopefully, we will take these steps in the best way in this period, and both the United States and Turkey will benefit from this.

US RELATIONS WITH CHINA AND RUSSIA

QUESTION: The West, led by the United States, sees China and Russia as a threat to the established order after the Second World War. How do you evaluate the stance of Russia and China on the issue of Israel and Gaza?

Time will show us what kind of attitudes Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Putin will have. The most ideal witness to this is time. We have to follow this, and we will follow it. We will see what kind of attitudes they take and what kind of steps they will take accordingly. Because these are countries that have now reached a very important position in the world. Therefore, we will now follow them as well. China and Russia have made statements that these attacks by Israel are unjust and unlawful. There are also declarations regarding the termination of the attacks and the resolution of the issue through diplomacy. Russia and China signed our joint letter initiative, which we launched on the UN platform, requesting measures to stop the shipment of arms and ammunition to Israel; this is an important step. Because as long as this shipment of arms and ammunition to Israel continues, Israel will become more aggressive. Every day that Israel is not stopped, the humanitarian picture in Palestine and Lebanon becomes a little more severe. Every day that the uninterrupted delivery of humanitarian aid cannot be ensured, people die due to lack of medicine, hunger, thirst, and brutal attacks.

'WE ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF SUCH A HUMANITY TEST'

QUESTION: You called on the leaders of Arab countries and Turkic world states to take a more active position on Israel. We observe that there has not been a clear stance to date. From which country have you been able to receive the most support for your call among Arab countries and Turkic states so far?

Since the day Israel started the Gaza genocide, we have been inviting everyone to be against the massacres and deaths. One of our agenda items with all the countries we meet is definitely the oppression Israel applies to the Palestinians. Being human is enough to be against oppression. It is not important which language you speak, which faith you have, the color of your skin or your hair, your eyes, but whether you have human values or not. Unfortunately, we could not see this from the administrations of some Western countries. It would be a fantasy to expect a stance against oppression from those whose hearts do not tremble in the face of the cries of struggling Palestinian children. Those who do not rebel when they see that hospitals and ambulances are being hit, those who see this as normal and try to cover up this crime under the guise of “Israel has the right to defend itself,” it would be a fantasy to expect a stance against oppression from them. We are working to expand the alliance of humanity with Arab countries and Turkic states, to show that we are one voice and one heart. We need to raise our voices against this oppression together and in the same tone with the same purpose. Doing this without multiplying the lost time is even more important. Our call includes concrete steps. For example, a legal struggle has begun at the International Court of Justice; strong support for it is important. Striving for the recognition of the State of Palestine is another concrete step. It is not possible for peace and tranquility to come to the region without a two-state solution. Trade restrictions and embargoes against Israel are also another form of struggle. It is also important to put forward an active diplomacy that will corner Israel in every field to increase diplomatic pressure. We are in the middle of a great humanity test. Passing this test is possible by being part of the alliance of humanity. Otherwise, history will judge those who stand by Israel and those who remain silent in the face of oppression.

TRADE WITH ISRAEL

QUESTION: Turkey has completely stopped trade with Israel. However, some allegations that trade is still continuing are being brought to the agenda. Who brings this to the agenda constantly and for what purpose? What do you think about this?

This is the dirtiest side of politics. Why do they do these things? They do it for this purpose with the understanding of how we can wear down the current government. We, as the State and Government of the Republic of Turkey, have currently cut off relations with Israel. We currently have no relations with Israel at this point. There is no step we have taken to develop these relations in the coming period either. These political parties, as you know, are 'as small as their power'. What are they doing now? They are in search of how we can wear down the People's Alliance or how we can bash the People's Alliance. It cannot be bashed with this. Currently, the People's Alliance is absolutely determined to cut off relations with Israel. We will continue this determination in the coming period as well. The Government of the Republic of Turkey, headed by Tayyip Erdoğan, does not continue or develop its legal relations with Israel. We have no such intention. Some have closed their ears, eyes, and minds with plugs of greed on this issue. They are blind to seeing the truth, deaf to hearing the truth, and dumb to speaking the truth. There is nothing left to do for them. Whatever we say, they will continue to struggle in the pit they are in. Our interlocutors have never been the slanderers. We have explained this issue to our nation and we continue to explain it. Because our nation is a witness to how sincerely we are making efforts on this issue. Not only our nation, but the world is a witness. We have cut off trade and relations with Israel, period. We are with Palestine in its rightful cause to the end. We will hold that tyrant called Netanyahu and his gang accountable for what they have done before the law. We will be on the heels of the oppressors to the end. We know that these slanderers in Israel's wake will target us because we are exerting such pressure. We determine our direction not according to the dirty sentences of the slanderers, but according to the direction pointed out by our nation.

LEAVING THE HALL WHILE ASSAD WAS SPEAKING

QUESTION: Your presence in the family photo with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad at the Extraordinary Summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the Arab League has become the most talked-about issue in our country, especially since yesterday. Did you have any contact with the Syrian side on the sidelines of the summit? What is the latest situation in the normalization process with Syria?

I did not have the opportunity to listen to Bashar al-Assad's speech. I left for a meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. I am still hopeful about Assad. I still have hope that we will come together and hopefully put Syria-Turkey relations on track. Because we need to destroy the terrorist structures between Syria and Turkey. There is a ground for fair and lasting peace in Syria. The steps to be taken to ensure this are also clear. We have extended our hand to the Syrian side regarding normalization. We think that this normalization will open the door to peace and tranquility in Syrian lands. It is not us who threaten the territorial integrity of Syria. The territorial integrity of Syria is threatened by terrorists, primarily the terrorist organization PKK/PYD/YPG. The territorial integrity of Syria is not threatened by Syrians scattered to most countries either. Assad should realize this, take the step to start a new climate in his country, and take ownership of his country. The Israeli threat right next to them is not a fairy tale. It should not be forgotten that the fire in the surrounding area will spread rapidly in unstable lands.

CROSS-BORDER OPERATION

QUESTION: While touching on the issue of Israel's aggression, you said, “we will not wait for the fire in the region to burn us too.” Can we perceive these words of yours as a new buffer zone operation beyond our borders before the fire approaches us?

There is a 30-kilometer depth situation regarding this terror-free zone. In the 30-kilometer depth issue, there were actually steps for us to destroy these terrorist organizations inside Syria. On the other hand, the goal was to prepare the ground for the voluntary, safe, and honorable return of our Syrian brothers and sisters who came to Turkey. A certain distance has been covered on this issue as well. Our housing construction in northern Syria is still continuing. We have prepared a ground for our Syrian brothers and sisters with the housing construction there. Currently, the steps we will take in Syria are of great importance in the meetings we held both at the COP Summit and in Riyadh. As soon as we handle this, we will already cover a serious distance in northern Syria. Think of the Qamishli region in Syria right now. Why are we taking the necessary steps with our security forces in Qamishli? Because we say let's destroy the root of this terrorist organization there too. With these steps, our security forces have covered very serious distances there. They have achieved very serious results. Both our intelligence organization and our security forces have relieved Turkey with the results they have achieved there. Our cross-border operations are always on our agenda for the security of our country and the peace of our citizens. If we feel a threat, we have the preparation to start our cross-border operations at any moment. Let no one have any doubt about our respect for Syria's territorial integrity. However, complete instability prevails in northern Syria. This also creates a favorable environment for terrorist organizations to feed on the chaos in that region and hold on there. Instability in Syria and the holding on of terrorist organizations there is a security risk for us. The purpose of all our operations against both DAESH and PKK/PYD/YPG is to ensure our own security. The steps we will take from now on will also be for this. There are still areas in our borders where terrorists hold on, and this poses a risk to our security. It is not possible to ensure security in the full sense without completely clearing those places and drying the terror swamp.

INTERNAL FRONT COMMENT

QUESTION: Israel's aggression continues. We see that Western countries are also giving very intense support. Is this process a process in which borders are wanted to be redrawn in the Middle East? What do you think about this? You have given messages about the importance of the internal front before. How do you evaluate the importance of the internal front and the stance of the opposition on this issue?

Currently, the opposition has no such concern. Since the opposition has no such concern, we are now cutting our own umbilical cord ourselves. We have to, there is no other choice. All the news coming in, the result obtained in Syria, will also relieve Syria in my opinion. But our reviving the legal relations between us and Bashar al-Assad here will hopefully relieve the region much more. It seems the opposition has not been able to understand our approach of keeping our internal front strong. Strengthening the internal front is of course always important, but unfortunately, when we wanted to strengthen the internal front, we could not find an opposition acting with common sensitivities by our side. The opposition is dealing with daily political issues, gains, and rents. We, on the other hand, are working on policies that will extend over many years by reading global and regional risks. While keeping our internal front strong, we will also not give any room to terror. Strengthening the internal front does not mean opening space for terrorist organizations or turning a blind eye to them handing over the nation's resources to terror barons. We are calling for strengthening our unity and solidarity. We want us to respond to those who try to divide us, those who try to tear us apart with the same determination and the same tone, and say “we are one, we are whole, we are Turkey all together.” We are striving so that the hands of those who try to sow discord among us remain empty. This spirit of unity and solidarity is already in our essence. Our call to keep the internal front strong is a spark that will remind us of our unity, solidarity, and brotherhood. It is a call to hold on tightly to the values that make us who we are and to push away with the back of our hand those who try to stain that unique picture we have created.

G-20

QUESTION: What kind of stance do you plan, especially in terms of global economy and energy security, at the G-20 Summit to be held in Rio? What kind of suggestions will you make for the economic difficulties of developing countries?

I believe the Brazil meeting will be a summit where very different messages will be given to the world. We are determined on this issue. Hopefully, we will also study our lesson well. I think the Rio Summit in Brazil will be a very, very productive and useful summit. Our meeting there with Mr. Lula will hopefully be a meeting that will make a sound in the world. We see the G20 Summit to be held in Rio as an important platform on global economy and energy security issues. Turkey is a country focused on measures and collaborations that increase stability for the global economy. We have expressed the importance of solidarity between countries at every opportunity, emphasizing that common strategies should be developed for economic recovery processes, especially after the pandemic. Energy security is also a critical issue for Turkey. In a globalizing world, we must create an agenda that includes concrete suggestions for the economic difficulties of developing countries. Because we must take measures against crises that affect the economy of not only one country but many related countries with a chain reaction. Turkey, which is one of the active and effective members of the international platforms it is in, is working on many suggestions aimed at improving both its own economic interests and the situation of developing countries.

'WE ARE IN FULL AGREEMENT WITH THE PEOPLE'S ALLIANCE'

QUESTION: Mr. Bahçeli stood behind his call to end terror once again at today's group meeting. CHP Chairman Özgür Özel used the following expression after your speech supporting Mr. Bahçeli: 'They met at the same point, Erdoğan and Bahçeli are doing the same thing. But we will meet with the families of the martyrs.' When the old and new leaders of the CHP went to Diyarbakır, they did not meet despite the demand from the Diyarbakır Mothers, but today they put the families of the martyrs forward as a card. Do you find this move by Özgür Özel sincere?

I do not find this move by Özgür Özel sincere. Turkey has been fighting against the scourge of separatist terror for 40 years. We have given thousands of our security personnel, public officials, and civilian citizens as martyrs in the vile attacks of the terrorist organization. Finally, 5 sons of the homeland were martyred in the terrorist act against TUSAŞ; may God rest the souls of all our martyrs and make their places heaven. Thanks to our strategy of eliminating the terror threat at its source, we have achieved very important gains in the field. This struggle will continue with the same determination and resolve. There is no place for terror or terror-supported politics in Turkey's future. As the People's Alliance, we are in full agreement on this issue.

CONCERT DEBATE

QUESTION: Concert municipalism has become conceptualized in Turkey. Concerts given by Ankara and Istanbul Metropolitan Municipalities with astronomical figures are being discussed. What is your opinion on this? Can a measure be taken for this?

I also served as a mayor. But I did not do concert municipalism. What do you need to do? To equip every corner of Istanbul with whatever means you have at your disposal. To equip the infrastructure, to equip the superstructure. Pay attention, during my mayoralty, garbage, pits, and mud were eliminated in Istanbul. Now the situation is a disaster. Istanbul is like that, Ankara is like that, İzmir is like that, all of them are like that. We make our call to our citizens. We say let's not fall for the same game and let's walk to the future with firm steps. The nation voted for these mayors to provide services to their cities, but what they understand from service does not go beyond organizing entertainment. It is also newly emerging that they do not organize those entertainments for the nation, but for financial gain for some. We want local governments, wherever they are elected from, to meet the needs of the nation, and we support those who make this their goal. However, the state of the cities is obvious. The nation is confused about what to do due to the lack of service. And when millions paid to some under the name of concerts are added to this, it is the citizen who suffers. Just as we opposed the transfer of public resources to terrorism and terrorist organizations, we certainly oppose the transfer of these resources to cronies. Let everyone make their spending based on accountability. We will hold those who recklessly use public funds and provide capital to their cronies accountable before the law.

News Source: 12punto