Delivering remarks following the Presidential Cabinet Meeting, President Erdoğan said: "There is no alternative protection method at the moment against the constantly changing virus other than vaccination. Leading our lives in peace in all areas from work places to educational institutions, from social activities to foreign travels depends on all of us getting vaccinated and completing our vaccine shots."
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan delivered remarks following the Presidential Cabinet Meeting at the Presidential Complex.
“TURKEY IS ONE OF THE LEADING COUNTRIES IN VACCINATION”
Stating that Turkey was one of the leading countries in the world in terms of vaccination, President Erdoğan noted that Turkey, experiencing no hardship in vaccine supply, would hopefully enter the stage of production and administration stage in domestic vaccine development, and added: “There is no alternative protection method at the moment against the constantly changing virus other than vaccination. Leading our lives in peace in all areas from work places to educational institutions, from social activities to foreign travels depends on all of us getting vaccinated and completing our vaccine shots.”
“WE HAVE ACCELERATED OUR WORKS TO INCREASE OUR BORDER SECURITY”
Drawing attention to the recent migration wave to Anatolia from South Asia due to the instabilities and poverty in that region, President Erdoğan, underscored that Turkey was obviously not an unprotected country where anyone could come to and leave freely or act as they saw fit, and said: “We have accelerated our works that we have been carrying out for some time to increase our border security. Particularly, we are about to complete our works to take our border with Iran under control through security wall, channel and electronic systems against migration, trafficking and terror activities. We are reinforcing these areas with the Turkish Armed Forces, Gendarmerie and Police staff as well as our village guards. We ensure the controlled return of irregular migrants to their countries of origin by increasing the numbers and capacities of our repatriation centers.”
“OUR PRIMARY AIM IS AFGHANISTAN’S STABILITY AND SECURITY”
Pointing out that nearly half of the irregular migrants arrested in Turkey over the past three years was of Afghan origin, President Erdoğan noted that there were currently 300 thousand Afghans, more than half of whom were registered, and went on to say: “As the instability and internal conflicts rise in Afghanistan, we see that the number of the irregular migrants that come to our country rises as well. As a matter of fact it is one of the reasons that lie behind Turkey’s intense efforts for the establishment of peace, tranquility and stability in Afghanistan. As is known, we have been holding several talks for a while to assume an initiative in Afghanistan once the U.S. withdraws from there. However, before our talks are concluded, the Taliban has taken the control of nearly the entire country. Since our primary aim is the stability and security of this country, we will, if need be, discuss our common agenda with the government to be formed by the Taliban.”
“WE WILL NEVER ALLOW THOSE, WHO DO NOT RESPECT TURKEY’S LAWS, TO EXHIBIT ATTITUDES THAT MAY STIR UP CHAOS”
Noting that Turkey brought back 500 Turkish citizens and 83 foreigners, President Erdoğan said: “There are fewer than 300 Turkish citizens who are waiting to be brought back. We will bring them back to our country as soon as possible. On the other hand, we are aware of the unease caused in our country by irregular migrants. Actually, there is not another country on earth that houses so many refugees but experiences so few problems with public order.”
“We will never allow those, who do not respect Turkey’s laws, to exhibit attitudes that may stir up chaos. Those, who resort to such actions, are apprehended and deported immediately. The rule of law is for all in our country, including the refugees. However, we will not turn a blind eye to those who want to use the refugees and irregular migrants for their dirty agendas,” President Erdoğan said.
“TURKEY HAS NO DUTY, RESPONSIBILITY, OR OBLIGATION TO BE EUROPE'S REFUGEE DEPOT”
“We need to remind our European friends the following fact; Europe, which has become a center of attraction for millions of people, cannot stay out of this problem by firmly closing its borders in order to protect the safety and prosperity of its citizens. Moreover, Europe, by doing so, is not only violating the international law, but also turning its back on humanitarian values. Turkey has no duty, responsibility, or obligation to be Europe's refugee depot. Once we firmly close our borders and send back irregular migrants, it is their own business to decide where they will go and thorough which channels,” President Erdoğan said.
“The issue of Syrians in our country is another matter. Surely some of these people will learn our language, improve their professional skills and achieve social adjustment. However, it is our obligation to Turkish citizens to ensure the refugees’ safe return to their homes in parallel with the improvement of the situation in their countries. Nearly 450 thousand Syrian people willingly returned to the areas Turkey secured. The number of people we sent to Afghanistan has reached 235 thousand,” President Erdoğan said.
