Delivering remarks following the Presidential Cabinet Meeting, President Erdoğan, as regards the hotel fire in Kartalkaya, Bolu, said: “Anyone with a mistake, negligence or fault, particularly those greedy ones who didn’t want to spend a single night’s profit on fire safety measures just to avoid expenditure, will be held to account one by one. The losses of lives have wounded our hearts. Rest assured that those with negligence will also suffer before justice.”
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan held a press conference following the Presidential Cabinet Meeting at the Presidential Complex.
“WE WILL CONTINUE TO STRENGTHEN TÜRKİYE IN EVERY AREA”
President Erdoğan said: “Just like our nation as well as the millions who have turned their face to our country, we are in great excitement as the dawn of the Century of Türkiye slowly breaks. No matter how tough the obstacles raising in our way are, we have more than enough will, determination and power to overcome them one by one. We are defending and upholding our country’s rights and interests in the face of the threats that keep growing more challenging. During all these processes over the past 22 years, we have cared about only what our nation says, not anyone else.”
President Erdoğan stated: “It is true that our responsibility is huge, our burden heavy. We are cognizant of the gravity of the responsibility emanating from the trust our nation has put in us for 22 years. Thank Allah, we have never disappointed our nation to date, and inshallah will never stain this legacy. Never casting any shadow over the national will, we will continue to grow and strengthen Türkiye in every area.”
“THOSE WITH NEGLIGENCE IN KARTALKAYA WILL SUFFER BEFORE JUSTICE”
Voicing determination to bring those with negligence in the Kartalkaya fire disaster to justice, President Erdoğan said: “We held last week’s cabinet meeting in an atmosphere deeply touched by the fire disaster in Kartalkaya, Bolu. I wish Allah’s mercy upon each one of our 78 brothers and sisters killed in the fire. I extend my condolences to their loved ones and relatives. Out of our 51 brothers and sisters injured in the fire, I wish a speedy recovery to our two citizens currently under treatment. Even though two weeks have passed since the disaster, both our sorrow and anger remain immense. We are doing whatever is necessary for the accountability of all those responsible and the manifestation of justice, and will continue to do so. The research commission, decided to be established in the Parliament, will contribute to this process and determine the necessary measures, legislative arrangements and other actions to prevent the recurrence of similar disasters in the future.”
Drawing attention to the ongoing investigation into the disaster, President Erdoğan noted: “Our chief inspectors of civil service, labor and tourism, assigned in the immediate aftermath of the fire, are about to wrap up their reports. These reports are also shared with the chief prosecutor overseeing the investigation. Let me re-emphasize that anyone with a mistake, negligence or fault, particularly those greedy ones who didn’t want to spend a single night’s profit on fire safety measures just to avoid expenditure, will be held to account one by one. The losses of lives have wounded our hearts. Rest assured that those with negligence will also suffer before justice.”
“WE WISH TO ENHANCE OUR COOPERATION WITH ALL COUNTRIES IN THE AFRICAN CONTINENT”
Touching up on the foreign policy issues addressed during the cabinet meeting, President Erdoğan said: “President of Rwanda, Mr. Paul Kagame’s visit on January 23 was of critical importance in that it was the first-ever presidential visit from Rwanda to Türkiye. We crowned this visit with four agreements signed between the two countries. We wish to enhance our cooperation with all countries in the African continent based on the win-win principle and equal partnership. The historic summit hosted by our country on December 11 and the understanding reached during the summit is an important testament to our country’s standing and prestige among the continent’s countries. We will continue to work with full force for peace, justice and development.”
“WE ARE STRENGTHENING OUR SOLIDARITY WITH THE TURKIC WORLD”
Pointing to Bosnian and Herzegovinian Parliament Speaker Denis Zvizdić’s visit to Türkiye on January 28, President Erdoğan said: “During the meeting with Speaker of the House of Representatives of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Denis Zvizdić, we discussed the recent developments in this country as well as in the Balkans. Our meeting with the ministers of foreign affairs, trade, and transportation of Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan signifies the importance we attach to the cooperation with the Turkic world. In line with the late Ismail Bey Gaspirali’s motto, ‘Unity in language, work and opinion,’ we are strengthening our solidarity in every area.”
“WE SHOULDN’T LEAVE OUR GAZAN BROTHERS AND SISTERS ALONE”
As regards Hamas Shura Council Chairman’s visit to Türkiye, President Erdoğan noted: “With Mr. Mohammed Ismail Darwish, Chairman of the Hamas Shura Council, and his accompanying delegation, we discussed in detail the latest situation in Gaza. I made it clear to them that Türkiye is ready to do its part to make sure the ceasefire agreement, facilitated by our country, becomes permanent. The Hamas delegation, for their part, expressed their appreciation for Türkiye’s strong support for the Palestinian cause the people of Gaza. The exchanges of prisoners and hostages continues despite all the provocations by Israel. Humanitarian aid has begun to enter Gaza following 15 months of heavy blockade and devastation. I would like to emphasize that our respect for our Gazan brothers and sisters further increases as we witness their determination to defend their homes, lands, and country. Just looking at the huge difference between the hostages released by Hamas and the prisoners released by Israel is enough to see the difference in their mentalities. We shouldn’t leave our Gazan brothers and sisters alone in this period. I would like to reiterate my call to increase our support to the Gazan innocents ahead of the holy month of Ramadan.”