President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said, "Türkiye is undoubtedly the country that reacts most strongly to the Israeli atrocities in the world and takes the most tangible steps, including suspending trade."
During the return flight from his visits to Saudi Arabia and Azerbaijan, President Erdoğan answered journalists' questions on the agenda and made assessments.
Recalling that he had concluded his visits to Riyadh and Baku, President Erdoğan recalled that he touched upon the genocide in Gaza and Lebanon in his speech at the Second Extraordinary Joint Summit of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation-Arab League held in Riyadh.
President Erdoğan said that he drew attention to the necessity of uninterrupted and regular delivery of humanitarian aid to those in need, with priority given to the declaration of an immediate ceasefire, and added, "As you know, we are making intense efforts to keep the pressure on Israel alive and to take coercive measures against this country on the basis of international law. Türkiye is undoubtedly the country that reacts most strongly to the Israeli atrocities in the world and takes the most tangible steps, including suspending trade. We are also at the top in terms of the amount of humanitarian aid sent to Gaza."
Stating that 52 countries and 2 international organisations have expressed their support for Türkiye's initiative at the United Nations to prevent arms and ammunition shipments to Israel, President Erdoğan said, "We have recently sent our letter regarding this initiative to the President-in-Office of the Security Council of the United Nations General Assembly and the Secretary-General of the United Nations. At our summit in Riyadh, a decision was taken inviting all members of the Organisation and the Arab League to sign our letter. Our country's humanitarian aid efforts and the steps it took to stop the massacre were praised."
Recalling that they also had the opportunity to hold bilateral meetings on the occasion of the summit, President Erdoğan stated that he met with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia and that the meeting was fruitful.
President Erdoğan recalled that he also held contacts and meetings with King Abdullah II of Jordan and President Mahmoud Abbas of Palestine, as well as with the heads of state, government, and other officials of Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Lebanon, Iraq, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Chad, Guinea Bissau, Senegal, and the Maldives, and said:
"During the second part of my visit, I attended the World Leaders Climate Action Summit in Baku. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan, who hosted the summit, for the kindness shown to me and my delegation. The summit, the most important climate action meeting under the umbrella of the United Nations, was attended by 80 countries at the level of heads of state and government. Climate finance was the most eagerly anticipated discussion item at the summit. The main focus of discussion was the generation of the financial resources that developing countries require.
We discussed the reaffirmation of the annual climate finance goal of $100 billion, which was proclaimed at the Copenhagen Climate Change summit in 2009, for the period beyond 2025, as well as the encouragement of supplementary mechanisms. I detailed our country's efforts to combat climate change during my address to the summit. I highlighted the fact that we will persist in our efforts to contribute to the global climate trend. I emphasised the significance of the Zero Waste Movement, which was sparked by the initiatives of First Lady Emine Erdoğan and has since evolved into a project of global scale. I then indicated how we have made strides in reforestation, water management, and sustainable energy. In renewable energy, we rank fifth in Europe and eleventh in the world."
President Erdoğan pointed out that in addition to the water efficiency mobilisation, they designated November 11 as "National Reforestation Day" and that they have begun to plant millions of saplings in the soil with the help of citizens.
President Erdoğan emphasised that they also engaged in bilateral meetings with his counterparts who were in attendance at the Leaders' Summit, meeting with Prime Minister Keir Starmer of England, President Kassym-Jomart Kemeluly Tokayev of Kazakhstan, President Maia Sandu of Moldova, President Jakov Milatović of Montenegro, and President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan.
Noting that they engaged in discussions regarding bilateral relations and regional developments during these meetings, President Erdoğan expressed hope that the decisions made at both summits would be auspicious and expressed gratitude to Saudi Arabia and Azerbaijan for their gracious hospitality.
"The climate crisis is one of the most pressing challenges faced by the world"
When a journalist asked about Türkiye's goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2053, President Erdoğan responded:
"The climate crisis is one of the most pressing challenges faced by the world. We treat this matter with the same level of gravity as we do wars, conflicts, and migrations. Working with our relevant ministries, we place a high priority on identifying the best course of action in this regard as the government in Türkiye. We have implemented, are currently implementing, and will continue to implement measures to optimise the use of the limited resources of our world and elevate our civilisation, which we have nurtured over the course of centuries as a species, to a new level. Türkiye is deeply concerned about this matter and making every effort to contribute to the solution. However, it is impossible to achieve a profound and lasting solution to this issue solely through our own efforts or the efforts of a small number of countries cooperating with us.
To address this issue, it is imperative that we organise our efforts and shoulder the load of this problem collectively. We will not be able to tackle this issue when some countries are fully committed to the fight against climate change while others ignore necessary measures or even create more environmental pollution out of greed for profit. We can only tackle this global issue with goal-focused and highly aware mobilisation of, especially, the smallest unit of societies, the family, as well as organisations, institutions, local governments, NGO's, countries, and international organisations. Particularly, providing financing, technology transfer, and capacity building are crucial to facilitating the participation of low-resource countries in the fight against climate change."
President Erdoğan emphasised that the significance of the zero waste initiative is increasingly evident over time and highlighted his commitment to increasing this initiative's widespread adoption and turning it into a lifestyle. Emphasising that environmental and climate sensitivities are at the highest level and will remain so, President Erdoğan said, "We will continue to implement our measures as we have implemented them so far."
"Certainly, there are always opportunities between the two countries"
President Erdoğan was asked to evaluate Türkiye-USA relations in the upcoming period and the course of relations in terms of opportunities and risk based on his phone call with US President-elect Donald Trump. President Erdoğan said that the developments in Türkiye-USA relations in the upcoming period cannot be achieved through a simple phone diplomacy.
Stating that they will engage in bilateral or international meetings with President Trump to more effectively assess the upcoming period, President Erdoğan continued as follows:
"Right now, it is imperative to observe the assignment of President Trump's cabinet and the nature of the cabinet that will emerge. Members of President Trump's cabinet and my cabinet will be better acquainted through the meetings they will have, and, inshallah, we will take our steps accordingly. The vice presidents and ministers of foreign affairs play a crucial role here. They will hold meetings to get acquainted and consult with each other. We hope the course of relations between Türkiye and the United States of America will be a lot more different in the upcoming period. Certainly, there are always opportunities between the two countries. Our main expectation is a commitment and necessary action to embrace these opportunities, which will be advantageous for both countries. As every other leader does, we too approach the issue from the perspective of our country's own interests. Economy is one of the top priorities of the Trump administration. And Türkiye is a country that offers investment opportunities with its strategic geographical location and young population. We have the potential to foster new avenues for enhancing trade and encouraging investments between the two nations. There exists a significant opportunity to foster fresh collaborations, particularly in the fields of energy, infrastructure, and technology."
When reminded that Elon Musk and his son were present at the meeting with newly elected US President Trump and that Musk was holding his book "A Fairer World is Possible" as he left the meeting at the Turkevi Centre (Turkish House) in New York, President Erdoğan was asked, "Do you have meetings with Elon Musk occasionally? What developments do you foresee for Türkiye in the global arena regarding its ventures into space and other initiatives related to technology?", and he replied:
"During this campaign, Elon Musk aligned himself with Mr. Trump. What captures our attention is that Musk is an entrepreneur engaged in space and technology. He is a figure who closely monitors technological advancements and has made significant progress in the field of technology. We held a meeting with him in Türkiye regarding this matter. He was with his son when we met at the Turkevi Center during the most recent United Nations General Assembly. During our meeting at the Turkevi Center, the atmosphere was warm and friendly. Türkiye's technological breakthroughs are attracting the attention of the world. Advancement in technology is not something that can be achieved in isolation; collaboration is essential. Should opportunities for collaboration emerge in this area, actions can be pursued in partnership with Musk. In due course, we will observe the area in which Elon Musk will engage within President Trump's administration and how he may contribute to President Trump or the US administration."
"We had far more meetings with Trump than with Biden"
In response to the question regarding the impact of Donald Trump's election as President of the United States on the threat of regional war and Israeli occupation, President Erdoğan stated:
"It appears that forming an opinion on this matter at this stage may be premature. First, we should wait for Mr. Trump to take over the position from Mr. Biden. We will only be able to assess the steps he will take in this new term once the handover is complete. We hope that President Trump will implement more different measures concerning this region during his term. Sometimes, certain messages can lead us to worry. And for that, January needs to arrive first. I believe that only with the arrival of January will we truly understand the steps that will be taken. I believe we will continue to have these kinds of interactions moving forward, just as we experienced in a couple of days shortly after his election. Because we had far more meetings with Trump than with Biden. I hope that we will carry out these steps effectively during this period, allowing both the United States and Türkiye to benefit from the outcomes."
When President Erdoğan was asked, "The West, spearheaded by the United States, views China and Russia as threats to the post-Second World War order. What is your take on Russia and China's stance regarding Israel and Gaza?", he replied:
"Time will reveal the stance of President Xi Jinping of China and President Putin of Russia. Time serves as the most ideal witness to this kind of matter. We have a responsibility to address this matter, and we will. Accordingly, we will observe the attitude they adopt and the actions they will undertake. These countries have gained considerable significance on the global stage. Hence, we will continue to follow them from now on. China and Russia issued statements declaring Israel's attacks to be unjust and unlawful. Furthermore, they have statements that support the cessation of the attacks and the resolution of the issue through diplomatic channels. Russia and China have endorsed our joint letter initiative at the United Nations, marking an important advancement in efforts to halt the transfer of arms and ammunition to Israel. Because Israel will become increasingly aggressive as long as the delivery of these arms and ammunition continues. The humanitarian situation in Palestine and Lebanon deteriorates with each passing day, while Israel remains unchallenged. People die every day due to hunger, thirst, lack of medicine, and brutal attacks, as they do not have uninterrupted access to humanitarian aid."
"Being human is enough to stand against oppression"
When asked which country offered the most support for his appeal for "Arab and Turkish states to take a more active role on Israel," President Erdoğan emphasised that they have consistently urged all nations to oppose the massacres and fatalities that began with Israel's genocide in Gaza.
President Erdoğan emphasised that the oppression of Palestinians by Israel is a matter that is consistently addressed in discussions with all the countries they engage with and continued:
"Being human is enough to stand against oppression. It is not the language you speak, the faith you have, or the colour of your skin, hair, or eyes that matters; it is whether you possess human values. Regrettably, this perspective was not evident in the actions of certain Western governments. Establishing common ground with individuals who are unaffected by the pleas of Palestinian children is highly challenging. It is delusional to anticipate that individuals who do not react in the face of attacks on hospitals and ambulances will take a stand against oppression, as they perceive such actions as normal and justify them under the pretext that "Israel has the right to defend itself.
We are collaborating with the Arab and Turkic states to strengthen the alliance of humanity, demonstrating that we stand united as one voice and one heart. We must unite in our opposition to this oppression, speaking with the same purpose and intonation. What is more important is to do so without losing any more time. Our call entails specific actions. A legal battle has commenced at the International Court of Justice, and it is essential to provide strong support for it. Working for the recognition of a Palestinian state is another concrete step. Without the two-state solution, it is not possible to ensure peace and calm in the region. Trade restrictions and embargoes against Israel are another form of this struggle. In order to increase diplomatic pressure, it is also important to pursue active diplomacy that will challenge Israel across all areas. A tremendous test of humanity is currently underway. Successfully passing this test can be achieved by engaging in the alliance of humanity. Otherwise, history will judge both those who stand by Israel and those who remain silent in the face of oppression."
"Under the leadership of President Erdoğan, the Republic of Türkiye will not maintain relations with Israel"
When reminded of some recent allegations of "Türkiye continuing its trade with Israel," President Erdoğan shared his views on the matter as follows:
"This represents the dirtiest aspect of politics. What is their purpose in doing these? They engage in this behaviour to weaken the current administration. The Republic of Türkiye and its government have severed ties with Israel. We do not have any relations with Israel at this point. We have not taken any steps to enhance these relations in the future. Considering that a small spark makes a small fire, what do these political parties do with all this? They are looking for ways to tear apart the People's Alliance or bash it.' They will not be able to accomplish this in this manner. The People's Alliance is currently dedicated to severing ties with Israel. We will maintain this resolve moving forward. "Under the leadership of President Erdoğan, the Republic of Türkiye will not maintain or expand relations with Israel. This is out of question.
Some have chosen to shut their ears, eyes, and minds, blinded by the allure of greed regarding this matter. They are blind to see the truth, deaf to hear the truth and mute when it comes to speaking the truth. There is nothing more that can be done for them. They will persist in remaining in the predicament they find themselves in, regardless of our words. We have never regarded slanderers as equals. We have communicated this matter to our people, and we will keep doing so. Our nation can see the genuine effort we are putting into addressing this issue. Both our nation and the world can see this. We have severed trade and relations with Israel, period. We stand with Palestine in its just cause until the very end. We will ensure that the tyrant Netanyahu and his associates are held accountable for their actions under the law. We will relentlessly pursue the oppressors until the very end. We recognise that those in charge of Israel's slander campaign will direct their attention towards us due to the significant amount of pressure we are exerting. We chart our course not based on the vile words of detractors but in alignment with the path indicated by our nation."
It was highlighted that the most prominent topic of discussion at the Extraordinary Joint Summit of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Arab League was President Erdoğan's presence in the family photo with Syrian President Bashar Assad. When asked whether he had any interactions with the Syrian side on the sidelines of the summit, President Erdoğan responded that he did not have the opportunity to listen to Bashar Assad's speech and that he left to meet with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia.
President Erdoğan stated, "I continue to harbour optimism regarding Assad. I remain optimistic that we can reconcile and restore Syria-Türkiye relations," and continued:
"It is imperative that we eliminate terrorist organisations that operate between Syria and Türkiye. There are grounds for a just and lasting peace in Syria. The steps to accomplish this are straightforward. We have reached out to the Syrian side for normalisation. We believe that this normalisation will pave the way for peace and harmony in Syria. We are not the ones threatening Syria's territorial integrity. The territorial integrity of Syria is threatened by terrorists, especially the PKK/PYD/YPG. Syria's territorial integrity is neither threatened by Syrians scattered in many countries. Assad should acknowledge this and implement measures to establish a new climate in his country and safeguard it. The Israeli threat next door is no fairy tale. It is important to acknowledge that the fire in the vicinity has the potential to spread rapidly in areas that are not stable.
"Our objective is to eradicate this terrorist organisation in that region (Qamishli)"
In response to his earlier remark, "We will not wait for the fire in the region to burn us," concerning Israel's actions, President Erdoğan elaborated, "There is a 30-kilometer-long terror-free zone. Regarding the matter of 30 kilometres of depth, we were indeed undertaking measures to eliminate the presence of these terrorist organisations within Syria. At the same time, the objective was to lay the foundation for the voluntary, safe, and dignified return of our Syrian brothers and sisters who sought refuge in Türkiye. Progress has been made in this matter."
President Erdoğan noted that housing construction continues in northern Syria, emphasising, "We have created an environment for our Syrian brothers and sisters through the ongoing housing efforts there. The steps we will take in Syria are of great importance at the moment, both in our meetings in Riyadh and at the COP Summit. As soon as we conclude this process, we will make significant progress in northern Syria. Consider the current status of the Qamishli region in Syria. Why are we taking the necessary steps with our security forces in Qamishli? Because our objective is to eradicate this terrorist organisation in that region."
Stating that with these steps taken, the security forces have made significant progress and achieved remarkable results, President Erdoğan emphasised that both the intelligence agency and the security forces have eased Türkiye's concerns with the outcomes they have achieved in these regions.
President Erdoğan said, "Cross-border operations have always remained on our agenda for the security of our country and the peace of our citizens. If we identify a threat, we are prepared to initiate cross-border operations at any moment."
Stating that there should be no doubt regarding their respect for Syria's territorial integrity, President Erdoğan added:
"However, instability prevails in northern Syria. This fosters a favourable setting for terrorist organisations to take advantage of the chaos in the region and establish a foothold there. The instability in Syria and the presence of terrorist organisations in the region pose a threat to our security. The objective of all our operations against DAESH and PKK/PYD/YPG is to ensure our security. Our next steps will be directed towards this objective. The presence of terrorists on our borders continues to be a risk to our security. Complete security cannot be attained without thoroughly eliminating the sources of terrorism and removing them entirely."
"We will not tolerate terrorism while reinforcing our home front"
In response to a journalist's question, "We have seen that Western countries have also supported Israel's aggression. Could this be a process of reshaping borders in the Middle East? You have previously conveyed messages regarding the importance of the home front. What is your take on the importance of the home front and the opposition parties' stance on this issue?", President Erdoğan stated that the opposition parties are not not currently concerned with this matter.
President Erdoğan said, "Since the opposition parties are not currently concerned with this matter, we are currently taking our measures. We must do so; there is no alternative. According to all the news that I have received, I believe that the outcome in Syria will also bring relief to Syria. However, the restoration of our relations with Bashar al-Assad will hopefully provide the region with considerably greater relief. The opposition parties do not seem to comprehend our perspective of keeping our home front robust. It is undoubtedly crucial to reinforce the home front; however, we were unable to come across an opposition that acted with the same sensitivities when we sought to do so."
Emphasising that the opposition deals with daily political concerns, gains, and profits while they analyse global and regional risks and work on policies that will endure for many years, President Erdoğan said:
''We will not tolerate terrorism while reinforcing our home front. Reinforcing the home front does not mean allowing terrorist organisations to operate freely and ignoring their looting of the nation's resources for terrorist barons. We call for strengthening our unity and solidarity. We want to respond to those who attempt to divide and pull us apart with the same determination and tone, saying, 'We are one, we are whole, we are Türkiye united'. We are working to ensure that those attempting to push a rift between us end up with nothing. This spirit of unity and solidarity is inherent in our very being. Our call to reinforce the home front serves as a reminder of our unity, solidarity, and brotherhood. It is a call to uphold the values that make us who we are and to keep out those who seek to damage the unique picture we have painted.''
''I believe the G-20 Summit in Rio will be highly fruitful and valuable''
When asked what stance he intends to take at the G-20 Summit in Rio, particularly in terms of global economy and energy security, President Erdoğan stated that the summit in Brazil will deliver quite distinct messages to the world.
Underlining that they are determined on this issue, President Erdoğan noted:
''Inshallah, we will be properly prepared for it. I believe the G20 Summit in Rio, Brazil, will be highly fruitful and valuable. I hope that our meeting with Mr. Lula there will have a significant global effect. We regard the G20 Summit in Rio as a crucial platform for the global economy and energy security. Türkiye is focused on stabilisation measures and cooperation for the global economy. We have emphasised the necessity of developing cooperative strategies for economic recovery processes, particularly in the aftermath of the pandemic, as well as the importance of international solidarity at every opportunity. Energy security also stands out as a critical issue for Türkiye. We must establish an agenda with concrete solution proposals to address developing countries' economic difficulties in a globalised world. We must take measures against crises that impact the economies of many related countries in a chain reaction, not just one country. As an active and influential member of international platforms, Türkiye is working on a number of proposals to improve both its own economic interests and the position of developing countries.''