Expressing his happiness to come together with the youth before the upcoming local elections slated for March 31, President Erdoğan stressed the importance of the elections in terms of Turkey’s future.
“You are all following what has been going on across Turkey in the fight against terror. We are putting up a fight both at home and abroad,” the President said, adding: “Our military, police force and village guards are waging a very important struggle. I believe we will obtain successful results. Thanks to the struggle of our security forces, our climate of peace and prosperity is getting stronger.”
Terror attack against Muslim worshippers in New Zealand
In response to a question regarding the terror attack against Muslim worshippers in New Zealand, President Erdoğan reminded that 51 Muslims died a martyrs’ death in the attack. Noting that world leaders had reacted strongly and come together in a rally in France following the Charlie Hebdo incident, President Erdoğan stated that western countries, however, remained silent in the face of the terror attack against two mosques in New Zealand.
U.S. President Trump’s decision on the Golan Heights
In answer to a question which noted that it is only Turkey that speaks up against U.S. President Trump’s decision regarding the Golan Heights and whether other Islamic countries have been warned about their silence during international meetings, President Erdoğan said that he gave the necessary messages in his speeches at both the UN General Assembly and the OIC Istanbul Summit.
Stressing that the Gulf countries as well as other Islamic countries fall short of displaying a decisive stance on the issue, President Erdoğan underscored that they should speak up, and added: “Regardless of whether they speak up or not, I, as the OIC Term President, am fulfilling my responsibility.”
Describing U.S. President Trump’s decision as a move aimed at rescuing Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, who faces corruption charges in his country, ahead of the elections to be held in Israel on April 9, President Erdoğan noted that Turkey will opt to resort to international mechanisms and exert efforts to make other leaders take action.