President Erdoğan: I believe we will reverse the currency attacks

President Erdoğan: I believe we will reverse the currency attacks

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan commented on the current events after his visit to Qatar and answered journalists' questions. President Erdoğan said, “I believe that we will reverse these currency attacks. As I always say, hopefully, this one will pass by.”

President Erdoğan reminded journalists that they held the 7th Meeting of the Supreme Strategic Committee in Doha upon the invitation of Emir Sheikh Tamim of Qatar.

Emphasising that they had highly fruitful meetings with Sheikh Tamim, both individually and between delegations, and that they reaffirmed their mutual political resolve to deepen and widen cooperation with Qatar, President Erdoğan added:

“The agreements we concluded have taken Türkiye-Qatar relations to a new level. We both expressed satisfaction with the distance we have covered in our bilateral relations in recent years. Once again, we discovered that our perspectives on regional and global issues are similar. We held signing ceremonies for 15 agreements to strengthen our cooperation in various fields further. We signed the Joint Statement of the 7th Meeting of the Türkiye-Qatar Supreme Strategic Committee. Memorandums of understanding were signed between the Presidency’s Investment Office and Qatari Businessmen Association, between Türkiye’s Small and Medium Enterprises Development Organisation (KOSGEB) and the Qatar Development Bank, between Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD) and the General Directorate of Civil Defence of Qatar, between the Presidency of Religious Affairs and the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs of Qatar. We signed the implementation schedule of our collaborative efforts in health and medical sciences, culture, youth and sports and standardisation. We also signed a memorandum of understanding for cooperation in the field of protocol, as well as agreements on the organisation of large-scale events and the establishment of institutional cooperation between the Antalya Diplomacy Forum and the Doha Forum. In addition, cooperation deals were signed between Anadolu Agency and Qatar News Agency, between Fatih Sultan Mehmet University and Qatar Debate, and between Ibn Haldun University and Qatar University.

Stating that, following the signing of the agreements, he had the chance to address Turkish soldiers during his visit to the Türkiye-Qatar Combined Joint Task Force Command in Doha, President Erdoğan said that they met with Turkish soldiers, who selflessly represent their country and nation, and expressed their longings. 

Relations with Gulf countries

Pointing out that they have strengthened bilateral relations with Qatar as a result of mutual contacts and consultations, President Erdoğan said:

"Türkiye-Qatar relations also contribute significantly to regional security and stability. Türkiye and Qatar have demonstrated their true friendship by acting in solidarity in difficult times. We must never forget Qatar's solidarity for our country, particularly in the aftermath of the betrayal of July 15, 2016. We have taken every step possible to end the unjust blockade and sanctions imposed on our Qatari brothers and sisters. We will continue to stand with Qatar and our Qatari brothers and sisters inshallah. Türkiye does not isolate itself from the Gulf region's stability, security, and development. I am also pleased that the conflict between Qatar and several other countries in the region has been resolved. We hope that relations between all brotherly countries in the region would improve significantly in the coming years."

President Erdoğan added that on the evening of his arrival in Qatar, he had a family dinner with Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani of Qatar and his spouse Sheikha Mozah, during which they had the opportunity to discuss the process from the beginning to the end.

President Erdoğan emphasised that Türkiye is always willing to contribute to addressing regional tensions, hoping that the visit and the agreements reached would lead to auspicious results for both countries.

Operation of Kabul Airport

Upon the question of a journalist, "Was there a meeting between Türkiye and Qatar on the operation of Kabul Airport?" President Erdoğan answered, "Yes, there was. In this regard, the Qatari side has currently settled on a private sector company. Likewise, the Turkish side has settled on a company. These companies will assist us in our efforts in cooperation with relevant officials by communicating with one another and negotiating with the Taliban. They will take over the operation of this airport in Kabul if favourable conditions, particularly in terms of security, are provided." 

Upon the question, " The Council of Ministers of the Greek Cypriot Administration of Southern Cyprus took a decision last Thursday. In the 5th parcel, which includes Türkiye's continental shelf, an exploration permit was granted to a joint venture between an American company and Qatar Petroleum. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded to this matter. Was this issue brought up during the meeting?" President Erdoğan said: 

"We underlined that this unilateral move by the Greek Cypriot Administration of Southern Cyprus disregards the rights of our country and Turkish Cypriots because a part of the said licence area violates Türkiye's continental shelf in the Eastern Mediterranean and ignores the rights of the Turkish Cypriots, the co-owners of the Island. We, of course, reminded them about this matter. We also expressed our concerns. I hope they will overcome it. Our Ministry of Foreign Affairs, of course, will closely follow the issue."

New Economic Policy
 
When asked when the benefits of the new economic policy would be visible, President Erdoğan said:
"We don't believe in high-interest rates at all. With a low-interest rate policy, we will lower both the exchange rate and inflation and regulate it. High-interest rates, in my opinion, are an understanding that makes the rich richer and the poor poorer. This is something we can never allow. As a result, we'll do it once and for all; we'll stay on this path and at this level. Our main objective is to boost employment through encouraging low-interest investment, as well as to boost production and exports by increasing employment. This will help growth when we are successful. Furthermore, the OECD has already acknowledged this. We are the OECD's second-fastest-growing country. Türkiye's growth predictions for 2021 are given as 10% by several international institutions. We've already stated that we'll meet that target. Thankfully, we were able to attain 7.4% in the third quarter. I'm hoping for more of this, not less, by the end of the year. That's something we're sure about as well."
 
Telling that they would strengthen the economy even more through investment, production, employment, and exports, President Erdoğan expressed his belief that they would reverse the exchange rate attacks in the foreign currency and said, "As I always say, I believe this will quickly pass us by."
 
"We will never stop fighting against terrorism"
 
When asked about his thoughts on counter-terrorism operations, whether a cross-border operation is on the table, and the US providing additional armed training to YPG/PKK terrorists in Al-Hasakah, on the Syrian border, President Erdoğan said:
 
"We say to America, 'While you insist, we must cooperate against terrorism, you are providing terrorists with weapons, ammunition, and other forms of aid. What type of friendship is this, and how strong is NATO's unity? Could you please respond to this?' Of course, they are unable to provide us with an answer. We've just met with Biden. Our Minister of Foreign Affairs discusses these issues with his counterpart. These issues are also conveyed to them. Despite all these, the United States is, unfortunately, pursuing the wrong policy in the region. This is something we will keep telling them because neither in Mount Cudi, nor in Gabar, Tendürek, and Bestler-Dereler, wherever you can think of, we will never stop fighting against terrorism.
 
Stating that they closely follow the developments in Ukraine and its immediate surroundings in response to a question on his views on the impact of the tensions between Russia and Ukraine on regional and global balances, President Erdoğan said, "We hope that tensions do not worsen, and that regional stability is preserved. We are ready to give our best support to alleviate the growing tensions of recent weeks between Russia and Ukraine and establish a communication channel. We may provide facilitation, mediation, or assistance in any format desired with the consent of both parties. Of course, we will do our part for the peace of the region without hesitation."
 
"Why could not a similar process with Israel be possible?"
 
The journalists asked, "Could a similar process with Israel and Egypt be initiated or continued?" after mentioning a series of important agreements signed between Türkiye and the United Arab Emirates upon the arrival of the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi in Türkiye.
 
President Erdoğan explained that they gladly accepted this agreement with the Abu Dhabi administration after receiving such a request and offer and that they carried out the negotiations step by step by sending them to the Ministry of Intelligence and Foreign Affairs and added
:
"In this regard, our Minister of Foreign Affairs and intelligence service will play an active role in relations with Abu Dhabi. Why could not a similar process with Israel be possible? Because we work for the sovereignty of peace in a peaceful world, and we find it appropriate and beneficial for the region's peace. I had talks with Israel in the past. However, Israel must be more sensitive about its Palestinian policy in the region. It must be sensitive about Jerusalem and Masjid al-Aqsa. We will do our best and take appropriate action as soon as we observe them being cautious in this regard."
 
Upon the question of whether there would be a mutual reassignment of ambassadors, President Erdoğan said, "These are all possible. Israel is already aware of our concerns, and we do know theirs. As a result, we will resolve the issue in light of those concerns."