Director of Communications Altun: "We view the opposition's eagerness to spread rumours, slander, and falsehoods as a grave threat to our democracy." Presidency's Director of Communications Altun stated that only those who are habitually engaged in disinformation and who use disinformation as their main tool for politics can be disturbed by the Presidency's Directorate of Communications, which prioritises the fight against disinformation, the greatest enemy of democracy. Only those who try to manipulate social media with troll networks and enslaved accounts may be disturbed by our efforts for truth and clean communication. We will continue to disturb them."
In his opening speech at the "Istanbul Security Forum" (ISF) organised by the Presidency's Directorate of Communications at the Conrad Hotel, Director of Communications Altun stated that they launched the forum to create a platform for global dialogue in the field of security.
Stressing his belief that the Istanbul Security Forum, with its inclusive themes, will make significant contributions to theoretical and practical studies in the field of security, Director of Communications Altun said, "We will endeavour to make this forum, where we will offer solutions to current regional and global security problems, a strong platform for the security ecosystem."
Indicating that the nation demonstrated great solidarity in the course of the earthquake, Director of Communications Altun continued:
"Türkiye also saw a great deal of international support and solidarity in this process. We have witnessed a great loyalty to the tremendous generosity our country has displayed all over the world for years. We owe a debt of gratitude to the international community for their unwavering support of search and rescue efforts and humanitarian aid. Undoubtedly, disasters are one of the biggest security problems in the global arena. Therefore, increasing international cooperation in the preparation, response, and recovery processes against all disasters, from earthquakes to floods, is also an important element in establishing global security. Türkiye has developed tremendous experience and capacity with its large investments in all aspects of disaster management in the last 20 years. Our country once again demonstrated its strength in this field with its response to the disaster of the century on February 6 and the reconstruction activities that were initiated rapidly in its aftermath.
"Climate change, environmental problems, natural disasters, and their consequences are also global security issues that cannot be ignored"
Stressing that the security threats of the 21st century do not only consist of developments that include conflicts between states, regional conflicts, or wars, Director of Communications Altun said, "Climate change, environmental problems, natural disasters, and their consequences are also global security issues that cannot be ignored. The direct impact of climate change and natural disasters on agricultural activities, living species, human health, and life necessitates addressing environmental problems on a global scale. We see that the problems within the scope of climate change, which directly affect the socio-economic structures of countries, generate new concepts such as water and food crises, new conflicts, and climate refugees."
Director of Communications Altun noted that President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan attaches special importance to each and every project focusing on green transformation-oriented solutions to climate change and environmental problems and added, "We doubled our emission reduction target until 2030 in order to meet our Net Zero Emissions target for 2053. Our Climate Law will be discussed by our Parliament in the near future. Our bid to host the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference demonstrates the significance we attach to the issue."
Explaining that they continue to address other greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming, Director of Communications Altun said, "The Zero Waste Project,” spearheaded by our First Lady Emine Erdoğan, was brought to a global scale with the adoption of a resolution by the United Nations General Assembly in 2022. And March 30 has been designated as "International Zero Waste Day." Another indication of the significance we place on green transformation is the production of our national pride, TOGG, which is now on the road as an electric vehicle."
Global pandemics
Indicating that global pandemics are also significant security crises that affect the world, Director of Communications Altun noted that the entire world has faced and continues to deal with the consequences of the coronavirus pandemic, in which the security of the global health infrastructure was in a state of severe crisis.
Emphasising Türkiye's successful and exemplary struggle during the global pandemic, where the administrative skills of states were also tested, Director of Communications Altun said, "In this process, we have seen the advantages of our strong healthcare system and city hospitals, which we have established with the investments made in the last 20 years under the leadership of our President."
Director of Communications Altun pointed out that they have never tolerated any weakness in meeting social needs during the pandemic and continued, "We shared all the opportunities at our disposal, from masks to respirators, with friendly and brotherly peoples around the world and offered our local vaccine, TURKOVAC, to the service of all humanity, together with our nation."
"Problems such as migration, refugee crises, and terrorism are the most urgent problems in the region that still need to be resolved"
Director of Communications Altun stated that in the last 30 years, the whole world has experienced the effects of regional and local wars and domestic turmoil, reaching global dimensions like never before.
"You are all aware of the negative effects of the process that followed the invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan on the countries of the region, as well as the security issues that resulted," Altun said and continued:
"Since 2011, the Syrian civil war has created an environment of conflict and international terrorism, which has alarmed the entire world. It also created a regional and global environment of instability, which allowed terrorist organisations such as DAESH and PYD/YPG to flourish. The conflict in Syria not only caused great human tragedies but also led to the displacement of millions of people, primarily to migrate to neighbouring countries. Today, problems such as migration, the refugee crisis, and terrorism are the most urgent problems in the region that still need to be resolved.
The Russia-Ukraine war also highlighted once again the global nature of regional conflicts and security issues. Challenges such as the visible geopolitical divides caused by the war, access to energy and food, and the global economic crisis became the most pressing regional and international issues. While the Russia-Ukraine war has revealed the importance of interstate diplomatic negotiations in terms of ensuring regional peace and stability since the day it began, it has prompted us to rethink the responsibility of the international community to ensure global security."
"It is imperative to develop an international anti-terrorism campaign"
Underlining that one of today's most important security threats is undoubtedly the issue of terrorism of a global nature, Director of Communications Altun said, "At this point, it should not be forgotten that the target of terror structures that feed on violence is not only a country or its citizens, but all humanity."
Director of Communications Altun expressed that the attacks of terrorist organisations are directed towards all humanity, regardless of language, religion, race, or geography, and continued, "It is of great importance to demonstrate a commitment to prevent, fight, and impose sanctions on terrorism in all its dimensions. For this reason, it is imperative to develop an international anti-terrorism campaign without making any distinction between terrorist organisations and regardless of the region in which terrorist acts are carried out."
"We nearly eliminated the existence of terrorist organisations within our borders"
Stressing Türkiye's exemplary anti-terrorism approach for the whole world, Director of Communications Altun said, "Our country carries out an effective and determined struggle against all terrorist organisations, from PKK/YPG to DAESH and FETO, which threaten both our national security and regional peace and stability. We nearly eliminated the existence of terrorist organisations within our borders thanks to these efforts.
With the strategy of eliminating terrorism at its source, put forward by our President, we do not allow terrorists to breathe even outside our borders. The pinpoint operations we have conducted have transformed Türkiye into a state that conducts the most effective and fruitful fight against DAESH.
Director of Communications Altun noted that the National Intelligence Organisation of Türkiye neutralised the so-called leader of the DAESH terrorist organisation, Abu Hussein Al Qureshi, with the operation it carried out in Syria and said, "Türkiye's fight against DAESH strengthens regional security as well as its national security. However, unfortunately, we observe that Türkiye does not receive support for such efforts from the Western world. The significance of the most recent operation is obvious. It has shown how critical Türkiye's fight against DAESH is. The neutralisation of the DAESH leader has also revealed the international operational capability and capacity that Türkiye has developed. This DAESH leader, who was supposedly being pursued by numerous countries, most notably the United States, has been neutralised by Türkiye.”
Director of Communications Altun stated that Türkiye’s fight against the PKK/YPG benefits not only its national security, but also the territorial integrity and stability of Syria and Iraq, and that, apart from its security, Türkiye’s struggle against the terrorist organisation FETO seeks to prevent the threats that this evil and blood-thirsty organisation poses to the countries in which it operates.
Indicating that Türkiye, which has been waging a determined struggle against these structures as the direct target of terrorist organisations, does not receive the support and solidarity it deserves in this struggle, Director of Communications Altun said, "The terrorist organisations and terrorists we fight against are even supported by various countries. Not only is Türkiye left alone, but the terrorist organisations it is fighting against are supported by countries that claim to be Türkiye's allies. This is beyond explanation. No matter what happens, we will continue to fight until the end."
"Bear in mind that this death adder in your pocket will sting you one day"
Director of Communications Altun indicated that those who support another terrorist organisation under the guise of the fight against terrorism are betraying the global fight against terrorism and continued, "These countries should immediately abandon this misguided strategy that will cost them dearly. Bear in mind that terrorist organisations cannot be allies. Bear in mind that you cannot fight against terrorism by making a distinction between terrorist organisations and using one against the other. Bear in mind that this fire you fuel will burn you one day. Bear in mind that this death adder in your pocket will sting you one day."
Director of Communications Altun stressed that Türkiye is capable of protecting its national borders and ensuring its national security with its own power and said, "Our country has carried its capabilities against all kinds of security threats to higher levels with the defence industry breakthroughs realised in recent years under the leadership of our Honourable President and will continue to do so. We will continue to contribute to regional and global stability and security while fighting terrorism and protecting our national borders, with our increased military capacity thanks to our UAVs, UCAV, Hürkuş, Kızıl Elma, Altay tank, National Combat Aircraft Kaan, and many other breakthroughs."
"Measures were taken to alleviate pressure on the global food supply chain as a result of Türkiye’s initiatives as a mediator"
Director of Communications Altun stated that under the leadership of President Erdoğan, Türkiye is a power that maintains peace, ensures security, and offers stability both in the region and internationally, while also bolstering its own national security.
Indicating that Türkiye acts with the awareness that ensuring regional security is also the key to global security, Director of Communications Altun continued:
"Focusing only on diplomatic solutions from the very beginning to end the Russia-Ukraine war as soon as possible, Türkiye has always been in dialogue with the warring parties under the leadership of our President. With the signing of the grain corridor agreement, measures were taken to alleviate pressure on the global food supply chain as a result of Türkiye’s initiatives, in which it serves as a mediator. Until a permanent solution is reached between the parties, Türkiye will continue its dialogue efforts in this direction, involving Russia, Ukraine, and the international community.
With the roles it has taken on at the international level, the responsibilities it has assumed, and the discourses it has developed, Türkiye will continue to be a guarantor of peace and security. At the same time, Türkiye will emphasise the need for reform of the international system, as stated by our President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on every platform with the slogans "The World is Bigger Than Five" and "A Fairer World is Possible." Because we recognise that institutions that are unable to adapt to current conditions cannot survive. The international community, which cannot respond to current security concerns, cannot produce effective solutions. In light of this awareness, we, as Türkiye, will continue to offer constructive and practical solutions alongside our critiques of the international system.
"Disinformation is undoubtedly a major threat to democracies everywhere in the world"
Indicating that the digital world is one of the areas where modern security concerns are concentrated, Director of Communications Altun said that with the effect of digital and technological developments, the biggest change and transformation are experienced in the field of communication and media.
Director of Communications Altun underlined that in this digital age, where the source of news and information is diversified, and its speed is increasing, checks about the reliability of information have become a security issue that needs to be discussed at the national and international level, and added:
"States, societies, and individuals confronted with issues such as fake news, disinformation, and misinformation must devise security measures to address the security risks they create or may pose. Disinformation is undoubtedly a major threat to democracies. Disinformation is undoubtedly a major threat to democracies everywhere in the world. Therefore, we must collaborate to rid the democratic atmosphere of disinformation and create a fair, secure, and clean environment for communication."
Director of Communications Altun responded to CHP Chairman Kılıçdaroğlu's claims
Communications Director Altun stated, "Of course, those who have made a habit of lying and institutionalised the politics of lies will not abandon their habits." and continued:
"Last night, we once again witnessed the CHP Chairman’s policy of lies that knows no limits. CHP Chairman’s post about me containing slander against my colleagues at the Presidency’s Directorate of Communications has become a new indicator of his political burnout and the lack of strategy of the 'professionals' around him. We will never accept that a nonsense tweet written by the agency that provides them with services from abroad be used to target or threaten public officials.
We view the opposition's eagerness to spread rumours, slander, and falsehoods as a grave threat to our democracy. We know this very clearly and precisely: Only those who are habitually engaged in disinformation and who use disinformation as their main tool for politics can be disturbed by the Presidency's Directorate of Communications, which prioritises the fight against disinformation, the greatest enemy of democracy. Only those who try to manipulate social media with troll networks and enslaved accounts may be disturbed by our efforts for truth and clean communication. We will continue to disturb them."
"We are doing our job, and we continue to serve our nation"
Director of Communications Altun stated, "We are doing our job, and we continue to serve our nation", and continued:
"Regardless of these defamations, slanders, and lies, we shall keep striving under the leadership of our President to make the century of Türkiye also the century of communication. The fight against systematic lies and disinformation is an important pillar of our truth struggle as Türkiye. We view disinformation as a threat to national security, and combating it is a national security concern. In this regard, under the coordination of the Presidency’s Directorate of Communications, we established a capacity to combat disinformation, to which all our institutions and organisations contributed."
Stressing the necessity to adopt a comprehensive approach to the concept of security in the complex and insecure environment of the 21st century, Director of Communications Altun noted that it is vital to develop the capabilities and mechanisms that can produce a solution to new international security conditions on a global scale.
Director of Communications Altun also added that building resistance against the security challenges we face and reducing their negative effects can only be possible with solidarity and cooperation led by the international community.
