Presidency’s Director of Communications Altun penned a letter, criticizing The National News’ column containing unfair and false statements regarding Türkiye’s foreign and national security policy as well as President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. The National News has today published the letter sent by Altun.
Director of Communications Altun noted that, as Raghida Dergham rightfully indicated in her article titled “How Erdogan’s re-election bid is viewed by the rest of the world”, the upcoming elections in Türkiye “won’t have just local importance [but] geopolitical implications as well”. Altun also indicated that President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is a major player in the “regional [and] global geopolitical landscape”.
Disagreeing with the author’s portrayal of Türkiye’s foreign and national security policies with domestic politics, Director of Communications Altun emphasized that, in truth, President Erdoğan’s key policy choices reflect his commitment to defending Turkish citizens and interests in an increasingly uncertain world. Director of Communications Altun also noted in his letter:
“Our nation’s response to the Syrian crisis immediately comes to mind. In addition to hosting more Syrian asylum seekers than any other country, Türkiye has been actively involved in counter-terror operations against ISIS as well as the internationally recognised terrorist organisation PKK and its Syrian component, YPG. We remain committed to playing a stabilising role in that region. Any attempt to link Türkiye’s response to terrorist threats emanating from Syria to domestic politics would risk downplaying the countless attacks that armed groups in northern Syria have carried out against Turkish citizens as well as the safe zones, where millions of Syrians have sought refuge.
Likewise, Türkiye adopted a constructive and realistic approach to prevent and, later, stop the Russia-Ukraine war. In addition to stopping warships from entering the Black Sea, President Erdoğan leveraged his personal relationships with Presidents Volodymyr Zelensky and Vladimir Putin to promote peace and stability in the region. As a result of our President’s efforts, Türkiye hosted multiple meetings between Russian and Ukrainian officials, including their foreign ministers, and brokered the grain deal to prevent a global food crisis. Moreover, President Erdoğan’s administration played a key role in facilitating a prisoner exchange. Finally, our country hosted a meeting between the American and Russian intelligence chiefs to mitigate the nuclear threat in the Black Sea region.
Last but not least, I disagree with the characterisation of President Erdoğan as a “thorn ... in the side of NATO”.
Having joined the Alliance in 1952, Türkiye remains one of its most powerful members. In addition to commanding NATO’s second-largest army, our country has actively contributed to operations in Afghanistan, Kosovo, and elsewhere.”
“Turkish people will decide the future of our country”
Director of Communications Altun stated that Türkiye reiterated its commitment to NATO’s open door policy yet requested those countries to revisit some of their policies that Türkiye believed to undermine the Alliance’s values.
Director of Communications Altun emphasized that Türkiye’s foreign and national security policies are informed by our vested interests, and said, “Having emerged as a global player under President Erdoğan’s leadership, our country will continue to take constructive and stabilising steps without accepting faits accomplis and violations of international law. Regardless of the perspectives of foreign governments, the Turkish people alone will decide the future of our country in the upcoming elections.”