President Erdoğan made statements following the Cabinet Meeting at the Presidential Complex.
Here are the highlights from Erdoğan's statements:
My dear citizens, we have just concluded our cabinet meeting. During our meeting, we discussed current developments regarding domestic politics, the economy, security, and foreign policy. In a period where instability is increasing in our region and new areas of tension are emerging, we, as the government, continue to keep our country on the path of stability and development. The course of the world shows that preserving the environment of peace and stability in our country will become even more important for Turkey in the coming period.
I know that our citizens, regardless of their views, origins, or sects, are as meticulous as we are in protecting this environment of peace and stability, and I thank our nation for their common sense.
As Turkey, we are sincerely struggling to extinguish the fire, alleviate suffering, and stop the bloodshed in our geography against those who pour gasoline on it with expansionist ambitions. From the Balkans to the Turkic republics, wherever we have a brother, kinsman, or friend, we defend their rights in the strongest possible way on every platform. Starting with our neighbors, we are striving to establish friendly relations and good relations based on mutual respect with almost every country. We do not stop there; we are focusing on building new partnerships with countries with which we have had limited relations for various reasons for many years. Since our last meeting, we have all witnessed developments that have expanded Turkey's sphere of influence in the context of international relations.
CAMBODIA AND CANADA CONTACTS
On October 16, we discussed new cooperation opportunities with Cambodia in a wide range of areas, from bilateral trade investments to energy, education, and the defense industry. The military framework agreement signed between the two countries became a reference point determining the direction of our relations with Cambodia in the new era. Another historic step we took was the official visit of Canadian Prime Minister Mr. Carney and his delegation to our country. We crowned this visit, which constitutes a turning point in our 83-year diplomatic relations with Canada, by elevating our relations to the level of a strategic partnership. We also signed three new agreements that will strengthen our cooperation in the fields of defense, air transport, and energy.
We agreed to start negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement before the end of the year to increase our trade and investments. We aim to increase our trade volume, which is currently hovering around 3 billion dollars, first to 5 billion dollars and then to 10 billion dollars. Again, over the weekend, we hosted the 9th Mediation Conference in Istanbul, followed by the Foreign Ministers' meetings. Hopefully, we will host the President of Kazakhstan, Mr. Tokayev, in Ankara on Wednesday. We will celebrate the 103rd anniversary of our Republic with great enthusiasm with our distinguished guests from the Turkic world. On the same day, we will open the Beştepe People's Forest, the pearl of our Presidential Complex, to the use of our people.
"OUR FAMILY COUNCIL IS THE ORGANIZATION OF TURKIC STATES"
On Friday, October 30, we will host the 13th summit of the Organization of Turkic States, which we see as our family council, again in Ankara. I believe that as the Turkic world, we will stand tall with unity and solidarity against those who want to put dynamite on our unbreakable brotherhood.
After that, God willing, we will have a visit to South Korea. Upon our return from Seoul, we will organize the COP31 Summit in Antalya with the participation of many heads of state and government. Hopefully, we will utilize these visits and summits in the most efficient way to further strengthen Turkey's regional and global role.
"WE STOOD TALL BY THE SIDE OF THE LIBYAN PEOPLE"
We look at issues from the perspective of our Turkish state tradition. We are not after saving face, but building the future. The most concrete example of this is our Libya policy. We stood tall by the side of the brotherly Libyan people during their most difficult times. We tried to fulfill the requirements of our law of brotherhood. As you know, on November 27, 2019, we signed the memorandum on the delimitation of maritime jurisdiction areas, which has strategic importance, with the Libyan Government of National Accord. This memorandum has been a major step that guarantees the legitimate rights of Turkey and Libya in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Another good development took place last week. The memorandum was unanimously approved by the Libyan House of Representatives. In addition to the unanimity, this is also commendable: It is truly very valuable that the principle of a single Libya, a single state, which Turkey has been defending since the first day, has materialized in the context of the memorandum. Another important aspect of the decision is that our Libyan brothers act together on issues concerning their national interests despite their political differences. I find the development of this spirit extremely promising for the prosperous and secure future of Libya.
"THE REACTIONS GIVEN BY THE EU ARE NOT LEGITIMATE"
I want to express this here with all my heart. We believe that the path to peace, prosperity, and security passes through unity and solidarity. For this, we are making a sincere effort to reduce conflicts and grow alliances throughout our geography. As Turkey, we do not want to see separation or discord in Libya or any other Islamic land. Hopefully, this desire of ours will also turn from potential to reality in Libya. Turkey will continue to be in dialogue with all actors for this.
My dear nation, of course, we must also underline this fact here. There is no legitimate justification for the reactions given, especially by the European Union, after the approval of the memorandum. Our policy regarding the Eastern Mediterranean is very clear. We are not, so to speak, trying to score a goal against anyone in the Eastern Mediterranean. We are only concerned with protecting our maritime jurisdiction areas, rights, and interests. We advocate that disputes be handled through peaceful methods and resolved through dialogue with all coastal states. We expect all actors, especially the European Union, to demonstrate the same constructive will.
Once and for all, everyone should know this: Aggressive rhetoric detached from reality is of no use to anyone. Turkey is not a country that gives credit to such rhetoric or determines its policy according to them. Our only compass in politics and foreign policy is Turkey's interests. Even if it costs a price, we never hesitate to do what is right and beneficial for Turkey and the Turkish nation. I remind those who try to exclude Turkey from the Eastern Mediterranean once again that we expect respect for the joint will of our country and Libya. I send my most heartfelt greetings to our brothers in the Libyan House of Representatives and the brotherly Libyan people. May God make our solidarity permanent, I say.
"TURKEY WAS NOT FOUND ON THE STREET"
I find it valuable that politicians who ask "What are we doing in Libya" acknowledge our rights today. I especially express that I find it valuable for the future of politics. Look, I have said it before. Turning politics from competition within the democratic ground and consensus into a fight between enemies is as wrong as it is a dangerous approach.
I see the war jargon that the opposition has been using lately, which is not clear who or what it serves but is very obvious that it does not serve Turkey, as one of the most obvious examples of this irresponsibility. Turkey, thank God, is a country where peace and tranquility prevail in every corner. Turkey is a country where 86 million people live together in unity and peace, and it is an island of peace in its region. However, if there are those who dream of a similar attempt by taking courage from the events in some European countries, they should know that Turkey was not found on the street. It is not a country to be surrendered to the street.
Those who attack our government under the pretext of press freedom should, if they can, come out and explain the dirty relationships they have engaged in before trying to cover up their crimes with demonstrations. No one should take offense. Those who openly threatened media organizations, journalists, and television channels in the squares until yesterday cannot teach us lessons about press freedom.
We have no problem with press freedom or critical voices. Turkey is one of the most advanced countries in the world in terms of media diversity. Our country ranks among the top in Europe in terms of the number of television channels. Hundreds of television channels and thousands of radio channels from every view broadcast freely in our country. As long as it does not contain insults, lies, and disinformation, anyone can say, write, and speak whatever they want. We see this as a symbol of Turkey's sociological diversity and welcome different voices. But like all democratic countries in the world, Turkey does not and cannot allow operations to be carried out against it through shady relationships.
I would like to remind you of this fundamental truth again. Whether we are in power or in opposition, we are all people obligated to serve the country and the nation. Our positions, titles, and all the ranks we possess today are merely tools given to us by our nation to serve it. Our priority should be Turkey. It should be the peace and stability of our country. We must not give an opportunity to those who rub their hands to disrupt the environment of stability and trust that we have achieved with great difficulty after many years.
"WE ARE CREATING THE FINANCIAL MEANS TO IMPROVE THE SITUATION OF OUR RETIREES IN THE 2027 BUDGET"
"With the 2027 budget, which we prepared by focusing on social welfare and social justice, we will increase our country's production power and competitive capacity, and make our economy more resilient to external shocks. My dear citizens, we submitted our 2027 Central Government Budget Proposal to the appreciation of our Grand National Assembly last week. We calculate the expenditure as 27 trillion 276 billion liras and the revenue as 23 trillion 408 billion liras. Hopefully, in the 2027 budget, we are creating the financial means to improve the situation of our retirees, who are the crown of our heads, a little more. We hope to implement the necessary legal regulation for this by the end of the year, within the framework of justice and fairness, with the appreciation of the TBMM."
News Source: 12punto
