Speaking at a vessel delivery ceremony at Istanbul Shipyard Command, President Erdoğan said: “We are right in the middle of an extremely chaotic era when those, who are not strong on the ground, cannot find themselves a place at the table, what is more, find themselves on the menu. Türkiye is one of the countries that have realized the spirit of this new era at a very early stage, and analyzed it in the most accurate manner. Defense industry constitutes the engine of our vision of a great and strong Türkiye. We have made significant progress over the past 23 years on the path we have set out with the goal of a fully independent Türkiye in defense industry.”
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan made a speech at a ceremony held for the delivery of the CAm. Roman offshore patrol vessel to the Romanian Naval Forces, and for the commissioning and flag-raising of the Turkish Naval Forces’ platforms at Istanbul Shipyard Command.
Voicing his pleasure over hosting President Nicușor Dan of Romania in Türkiye, President Erdoğan voiced his belief that both platforms will make significant contributions to the two countries, the security of the Black Sea, the NATO alliance and the tranquility of the region.
“We are right in the middle of an extremely chaotic era”
President Erdoğan said: “As you follow, our world has been going through one of the most drastic changes since the Cold War. While conventional patterns are shattering, a new security paradigm, which we call ‘might makes right’, emerges. Every crisis we come across remind us that national security is an issue that is too vital to be left to others. We are right in the middle of an extremely chaotic era when those, who are not strong on the ground, cannot find themselves a place at the table, what is more, find themselves on the menu. Türkiye is one of the countries that have realized the spirit of this new era at a very early stage, and analyzed it in the most accurate manner.”
“We have reached levels that cannot be dreamed of 23 years ago”
“Defense industry constitutes the engine of our vision of a great and strong Türkiye. We have made significant progress over the past 23 years on the path we have set out with the goal of a fully independent Türkiye in defense industry. Although we have faced preventions, limitations, and overt and covert embargoes, we have patiently advanced towards our goal. We have eventually reached levels that cannot be dreamed of 23 years ago. We are the world’s 11th biggest country in defense industry. We achieved a historic success by exporting 996 million dollar worth of defense and aviation products last month. While our annual exports were 248 million dollars 23 years ago, we, today, attain this figure merely in a week,” President Erdoğan stated.
“We neither violate anyone’s rights nor allow anyone to violate ours”
Describing Türkiye’s purpose as strengthening peace, justice, tranquility and stability in the region, not creating tension, President Erdoğan said: “We do not pursue crisis, chaos, dispute or conflict with anyone, on the contrary we favor strong cooperation based on mutual respect. We have never had an eye on anyone’s lands or sovereignty. We have never had an eye on anyone’s legitimate rights and interests. However, we do not allow anyone to threaten our sovereignty and country, or to harm our interests. Our principle is pretty clear: We neither violate anyone’s rights nor allow anyone to violate ours. We consider contributing to the security needs of our friends and allies to be a natural requirement of this understanding.”
