President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan commented on the recent developments while addressing journalists' questions on the return flight from his visits to Malaysia, Indonesia, and Pakistan.
President Erdoğan marked the completion of his visits to Malaysia, Indonesia, and Pakistan, which began on February 10, stating, "We deeply appreciate the spectacular reception shown to me and my delegation in these three friendly and brotherly countries, each of which is uniquely significant for us."
"The heartfelt courtesy extended by millions of people living thousands of kilometres away from Türkiye is a clear testament to the deep compassion for our nation," said President Erdoğan, and continued:
"The honorary doctorate bestowed upon me in Malaysia, the joint address we delivered with my esteemed friend Anwar Ibrahim to an audience of some 3,000 people, as well as the people's warm reception of us in Indonesia and Pakistan, which transcended beyond mere official hospitality, have been engraved onto our memories. We had the pleasure of gifting our national electric vehicle, Togg, to our counterparts as a symbol of our cordial relationships with each of the three countries. These visits have also set in motion our will to strengthen our cooperation with the continent as part of the Asia Anew Initiative, which we launched in 2019. We agreed with Mr Anwar Ibrahim to enhance our strategic partnership, which was established in 2022, through a High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council in Malaysia, the first destination of my visits. We have signed eleven agreements in a manifold of fields, particularly in the defence industry and technology. We have adopted a joint declaration that will illuminate the future of our relations."
Noting the goal of $5 billion in trade volume with Malaysia was reached in 2014 during his term as the prime minister, President Erdoğan stated that the next milestone they aim for is $10 billion.
President Erdoğan conveyed their expectation for the size of Indonesia's economy, which has reached $1.5 trillion, to become one of the largest in the world within the next decade, and added, "We want to help alleviate Indonesia's infrastructural needs and enhance our partnerships, including co-production in industries such as defence. We reaffirmed our shared commitment to reach our trade volume of $10 billion with my esteemed brother President Prabowo. Moreover, we assessed the steps that can be taken to increase our trade volume with these two countries in a balanced and sustainable manner."
"We aim to enhance our institutional relationships with ASEAN"
Conveying their aim of fostering institutional relationships with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), President Erdoğan stated, "Our ultimate goal is to become a dialogue partner to ASEAN, to which we have been a sectoral dialogue partner since 2017. In this context, we outlined our expectations from ASEAN to its host country Indonesia, and the term-president Malaysia. I believe that both Malaysia and Indonesia will show the necessary support to our country."
Pointing out the twelve memoranda of understanding that were signed during the first Meeting of the High-Level Strategic Council with Indonesia, President Erdoğan added that they agreed upon the establishment of a Joint Committee on Industrial Cooperation.
President Erdoğan stated that the seventh Meeting of the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council convened during his visit to Pakistan, where 24 agreements were signed in various fields, from mining to energy transitions and military cooperations to the defence industry.
President Erdoğan noted:
"We adopted a comprehensive joint declaration befitting the spirit of our special ties. We have decided to establish an additional joint standing committee to further reinforce the council mechanism, especially in the fields of defence, security, and intelligence. We discussed the steps necessary to reach our bilateral trade target of $5 billion with Pakistan during my meetings with President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. We reaffirmed our commitment to advance our projects in Pakistan, including supply, sales, and co-production. During all of my meetings with my counterparts, we discussed international matters in detail, focusing primarily on Gaza and Syria. We especially overviewed our collective actions within the United Nations, G8, and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.
I have observed that we are fully committed to upholding our steadfast support for our Palestinian brothers and sisters. We will maintain our collective endeavours toward the establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestinian State with East Jerusalem as its capital and territorial integrity based on the 1967 borders. I would like to express my gratitude once more to my esteemed brother Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, President Prabowo Subianto, President Asif Ali Zardari, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for their most sincere hospitality."
Journalists' interview
President Erdoğan answered journalists' questions after discussing his assessments.
In response to the question highlighting the reception of Türkiye as a reliable partner and ally during the visits, asking, "How would you assess Türkiye's perspective of Asia in this era of diminishing Western dominance?" President Erdoğan stated, "My brother Anwar Ibrahim, Prabowo Subianto, as well as our counterparts in Pakistan, they all mention one thing, the Ottoman Empire. They say, 'You are the successor to the Ottoman Empire. This is how we see you.' Their words have so much sentimental value for us. They know us well, but unfortunately, we cannot understand ourselves as much. This is the issue."
President Erdoğan continued his remarks:
"You have seen the events in Malaysia, especially the ones in Indonesia. Similarly, you have witnessed the events in Pakistan, the last destination of our visits. This compassion for us was not fostered overnight. Quite frankly, the invaluable heritage of our ancestors is our most significant treasure. All the compliments we received were adorned onto us for the Ottoman heritage. Perhaps we would not have received these compliments or been treated in this manner if it were not for this impressive heritage. These compliments stem from the heritage entrusted to us by our ancestors. The interest of both the Eastern and Western countries in us is growing and will continue to grow as Türkiye's influence increases. Have no doubt in this regard. Our brothers and sisters from our kindred geographies are also overjoyed that Türkiye is influential both in its region and around the world. We are building a great bridge of hearts between two distinct worlds and civilisations. Our ancestors brought the culture and knowledge of Asia right into the middle of Europe and made those lands our home. We now inhabit these lands. We cannot abandon their legacy by adopting a narrow perspective."
Stating that they recognise, understand, and bear the marks of both cultures, President Erdoğan commented, "Therefore, to us, East, West, North, and South matter the same. As Mevlana Jalaleddin Rumi eloquently described, the needle leg of our compass is firmly set in Anatolia and Thrace, while we travel around the world with the other leg to bring goodness and beauty."
President Erdoğan noted that Türkiye's relationship with Asia is going through a very different time in terms of historical ties and cultural matters, and added:
"We will continue to live by enriching it. As Western supremacy diminishes and Asia gains geopolitical significance, Türkiye's perspective of Asia is becoming increasingly vital. We aim to enhance our economic, social, and political connections with Muslim nations in Asia by progressively fortifying our relationships. By expanding our collaboration with Muslim Asian countries, we can foster more opportunities for progress and prosperity. We also share a desire to seize these opportunities and transform our countries into global powers. We will never lose this willpower. Meanwhile, we are confident that economic and commercial ties with regional countries will benefit both Türkiye and Asian countries. We demonstrate to the countries in the region that Türkiye is a trustworthy country through the business people who accompany us on these trips. Meetings and bilateral discussions with business people there, of course, yield outcomes. Praise be to Allah, we are successfully bringing these forward."
"Gaza is a lingering ache in our hearts"
Answering the question, "Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's remarks about you, particularly about your leadership, were astonishing. In this context, what would your message be to the Islamic world, especially in regards to Gaza, given the responsibility attributed to you as the leader of the Islamic world?" President Erdoğan stated, "We need to say this clearly. Gaza is a lingering ache in our hearts. Gaza is a wound in our hearts. We work and must work hard to relieve that ache and heal that wound."
President Erdoğan added, "Regretfully, the Islamic world has yet to act uniformly on this matter. We could not accomplish this while we were waiting for our hearts to beat collectively," and went on to say:
"In this sense, we must overcome our flaws, release our obligations, and unload our luggage. We all have witnessed what happened in Gaza. Something caught my eye on the television screens this evening. Qatar is delivering construction equipment to Gaza. They most likely purchased this construction equipment from Egypt. They are transporting the construction equipment to Gaza. They will presumably use construction equipment to clear the excavations. There is no other way. The same is true for Syria. Syria urgently requires construction equipment. This is what we discussed during our meeting with President Ahmed al-Sharaa of Syria. This is what they also expect from us. When our Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Director of our intelligence agency paid a visit, they both recognised this situation as well. They require heavy construction equipment to remove all of the rubble before the efforts for reconstruction and restoration can begin in Syria and Gaza. As it is widely known, the oppressors there persecute those people without mercy, regardless of religion, language, or race."
President Erdoğan noted that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's recent visit to the United States was enlightening and stated, "At the bottom of these events, you realise that the matter of religion once again becomes a significant dividing factor."
President Erdoğan reiterated that they have yet to observe any indication of a ceasefire, despite the declaration of one. He stated, "The fifth step will now be taken. In this fifth phase, what will be the situation? This is what we are monitoring. Our expectation and hope is that this ceasefire will be established on solid ground, at least this time in the fifth phase. This is what we expect from the United Nations. We are eagerly awaiting the results of the one-and-a-half-hour meeting between President Vladimir Putin of Russia and US President Donald Trump that took place last night. If this meeting produces the results that we expect in good faith, the globe will have made a very different step."
"Ignoring the suffering in this region will not serve the interests of the US"
In response to the question, "How do you evaluate US President Donald Trump's statements on Gaza? Can the US administration and Türkiye develop a joint strategy on the Palestine and Gaza issue to have a lasting peace in Gaza and to stop the genocide?" President Erdoğan said, "Unfortunately, the United States is getting our area wrong. No one should adopt an approach that disregards the history, values, and accomplishments of this region."
President Erdoğan emphasised that ignoring the suffering in this region will not serve the interests of the US and continued:
"Listening to Zionist lies and interfering with the country's settings will only make matters worse. This is the wrong approach. It will only cause more bloodshed in the region to believe in the words of Netanyahu, who is currently undergoing a trial in his own country. We have seen this very clearly. This will not bring the longed-for peace; on the contrary, it will exacerbate the conflict and shed more blood and tears. Nothing is more vital to Israel than protecting its own interests. Turn to history; they have even clashed with countries that helped them create their state. We expect Trump to fulfil the promise he made before the election. These steps must be taken to ensure peace, not to cause a new war. This region will not accept a 'this is how I do it' approach."
Stressing the extremely delicate and complex nature of the situation in Gaza, President Erdoğan noted that the situation in Gaza is sparking great concerns over international law and human rights.
President Erdoğan emphasised that a fairer approach must always be a priority in the search for a solution and went on to say:
"The protection of the Palestinian people and an objective approach to finding a fair solution are very important to us. Türkiye always advocated for Palestine's rights and brought attention to this issue in the international arena. Türkiye's efforts in the established ceasefires cannot be overlooked. Given all these efforts, a strategy to pursue an equitable solution to Gaza and Palestine can also be developed. These steps can only be taken under a condition that is truly acceptable to the Palestinian people and can provide an objectively just solution. All countries must cooperate and act with common sense to end the genocide in Gaza and establish a lasting peace. It is also imperative that the international community, particularly the big powers, adopt a constructive attitude to establish this lasting peace. Although each collaboration and strategy towards ensuring peace is considered a step in the right direction, what is more important is the protection of the rights of the Palestinian people and allowing them to live equitably. However, this process cannot be advanced in a sound manner with statements like 'let the chaos ensue' and malevolent plans that call for the banishment of Gazans, which adorn the dreams of that murderer Netanyahu. The displacement of Palestinian people from Gaza is utterly unacceptable. No Muslim country can accept this plan that tramples on the rights of the peoples of Gaza and Palestine. This approach does not contribute anything to establishing a lasting peace; conversely, it exacerbates conflicts."
President Erdoğan stressed that if the international community prioritises political agendas over protecting human rights and providing humanitarian relief, it will also deepen the regional crises, and added, "These wounds can only be remedied through recognising Palestine as an independent state founded on the 1967 borders. True peace must be built on solid ground, which ensures equality, justice, and equal recognition of the rights of either side. We will partake in any strategy towards establishing peace that is built on this ground."
In response to the question, "Do the statements of the US and Israel regarding the displacement hint at a more devastating genocide even after the prisoner exchange is completed? Do you believe this forced relocation will spark a regional war?" President Erdoğan stated that this displacement is an act of brutality and unacceptable.
President Erdoğan commented on the topic by saying that global political actors with a conscience and a sincere attitude always reiterate this, and as long as the world loudly calls for "peace and brotherhood," there will be no war.
President Erdoğan emphasised that Israel will maintain its desire to spark a regional war, although it will not be in their best interests, and continued his remarks:
"Israel currently has a government that thrives on blood and tears. We also observe that those who rushed to side with Israel on the first days of its massacres in Gaza are now beginning to realise the truth. Bluntly put, cowardice is the most distinguishing characteristic of oppressors. They quail and hide at the sight of a stronger will against them. I personally want to believe that strong will has emerged. The conscience of societies must unite under the determination of their leaders and, inshallah, leave those oppressors no quarter. We will continue to work tirelessly to achieve this. Allah willing, our will of steel remains unbreakable. Hamas has undoubtedly remained committed to its promises while advancing this process up to this point. It is the Israeli government that has contradicted its own statements. We are aware that the Israeli army demolished Palestinian homes and razed lands in the areas it withdrew.
"The situation in Gaza is extremely delicate"
Noting that they are well aware of an Israeli bombing conducted via drone on the eastern side of Rafah to the south of the Gaza Strip during the ceasefire regime in Gaza, which martyred one Palestinian, President Erdoğan commented, "The Ministry of Health of Gaza announced that 92 Palestinians have lost their lives to the Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip since the ceasefire agreement that came into effect on January 19."
President Erdoğan argued that all of these events are evidence of the Israeli government's unwillingness to establish a permanent ceasefire and that pursuing a new and greater strategy of massacre, encouraged by the US, will lead to greater losses even for Israel.
President Erdoğan stated that the prisoner exchange footage from Gaza demonstrated that Hamas had maintained its strong determination despite the 15 months of heavy blockade and bombardment, and added, "I am not sure how long the US administration will keep indulging the Israeli government. It remains to be seen how long the people of the US will bear the cost of Israel's war, which is tearing their economy apart. Developments after the prisoner exchange should be carefully monitored while maintaining the efforts to reconvene to establish peace. The situation in Gaza is extremely delicate, with the risk of re-escalation at any moment. Therefore, it is crucial for both sides to act with common sense and seek peaceful solutions."
"The government must have complete control over Syria"
Answering the question, "Did Ahmed al-Sharaa inform you during the meeting about the steps he will take against the PKK terrorist organisation? What timeline do you think the PKK will follow to disarm itself in Syria?" President Erdoğan said that the Syrian people have the full power and discretion to decide the future of their country.
President Erdoğan emphasised that Syria has taken measures to restore its unity and recalled that the Baathist administration, which persecuted its citizens for 61 years, was abolished.
President Erdoğan declared that Türkiye would continue to support the Syrian people in the same way that it has up to now, saying, "The government must have complete control over Syria to maintain unity and stability in the country."
President Erdoğan acknowledged that terrorist organisations on Syrian territory pose a threat to both Syria and Türkiye, stating, "It is not easy; we have a 911-kilometre border, and we have to protect it from our own side and even from the Syrian side. We observe that the Syrian administration is dedicated to combating terrorist organisations. We also see that many armed groupings in Syria are already dismantling themselves. Terrorist organisations must understand that they have no place in Syria. I am reiterating that. Otherwise, we will not hesitate to take action to teach them the truth."
President Erdoğan stated that the situation in Syria is becoming clearer and easier to solve, indicating that a complex and tough process has been completed.
Noting that an administration that fosters dialogue and respects its citizens is now in power, President Erdoğan stated:
"During our discussions with President Ahmed al-Sharaa, we had a comprehensive discussion on the initiatives that must be followed to rebuild Syria and restore the country's unity. Türkiye's commitment to peace and stability in Syria is critical for all regional actors. We have not provided shelter or a chance for survival to terrorist organisations in northern Syria that constitute a threat to our country, and we will not do so in the future. We made our opinion plain to the al-Sharaa administration on this matter. It is apparent what steps Syria will take against terrorist organisations and what timeframe it will adhere to. During our conversation, we exchanged information on how to take action against terrorist organisations and we issued our strongest warnings to the terrorist organisations. Either they heed this message, or we shall bury them in their caves with the weapons they have not abandoned. We closely monitor all developments in the region and respond quickly. We fully trust and cooperate with the Syrian administration. This helps to speed up the procedure. It is critical that Türkiye closely observes such developments in Syria and intervenes promptly to avoid harmful consequences.
The efforts necessary to ensure Syria's future and territorial integrity are critical not only for Syria's internal situation but also for Türkiye's security and ties with all regional actors. We have zero tolerance for terrorist organisations. When we start taking steps to solve the issue, we will not allow anyone to stall us or try to buy time."
"Togg is not the end, but the beginning for us"
In response to the question, "Are there any specific plans for exporting Togg to nations such as Malaysia, Indonesia, and Pakistan, as well as positioning it in these markets? Could collaborations like Togg's manufacturing or joint venture in these countries be on the agenda?" President Erdoğan said, "Togg is not the end, but the beginning for us."
According to President Erdoğan, Togg represents a significant advancement in the automotive industry, but he also acknowledged that there is a significant amount of ground to cover on this journey, and it will be covered, and added:
"We hear compliments whenever a leader inspects or tests our car. This also occurred in Pakistan, Indonesia, and Malaysia. Everyone was enamoured with the car and its comfort. We are confident that Togg will solidify its position in the industry and keep moving further. Togg has the capacity to emerge as a competitive player in Türkiye and the world at large. In regards to Togg's exports and standing in these markets, it is critical that tangible steps are taken with nations like Pakistan, Indonesia, and Malaysia. Türkiye's automotive industry is fortified by these collaborations, which also influence trade relations with these nations."
President Erdoğan stated that the introduction of Togg in these countries might be the first priority, followed by its production or joint investment opportunities and that Pakistan has raised the issue of production in their country.
President Erdoğan went on to say that these are significant steps, saying:
"Togg's international positioning will create new opportunities for not only the automobile sector but also Türkiye's international status and commercial relations. Cooperation and collaborative investment opportunities in this context can result in a win-win situation for both parties. I believe that Togg, Türkiye's automobile, will become our country's global brand. We know how successful Asian countries, particularly China, have been with electric vehicles. In fact, we reached an agreement with a Chinese corporation. They are attempting to establish a factory in Manisa. The signing took place in Dolmabahçe, Istanbul. Another Chinese brand is also making efforts to establish a factory in Samsun. Work on this matter is underway, and our Minister of Industry and Technology Fatih Kacır is currently following up on this matter. Both are significant global brands. The automotive sector in Türkiye will experience a markedly different atmosphere as a result of the production of these vehicles in Manisa and Samsun. We are resolute in our commitment to sustain Togg's success in the domestic market and this momentum in the automobile sector. Türkiye is addressing the world with Togg, announcing, "We are in, we are here and strong'."