On his flight back to Türkiye from a Gulf tour that included Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said, "We are striving to decrease the number of enemies and increase the number of friends."
President Erdoğan stated that all aspects of bilateral relations were discussed during the meetings, adding, "We had the opportunity to evaluate global and regional developments. We concentrated on significant and comprehensive collaboration projects with a win-win approach. Our cooperation with these countries will be strengthened and expanded in the coming years through concrete projects."
Noting that support for the Gulf region's peace and stability was also emphasised during the visit, President Erdoğan added:
"Regional issues, in my opinion, should be addressed through regional cooperation. In this regard, we agreed to keep consulting and coordinating on regional issues. I stated that our bilateral relations with Saudi Arabia have entered a new era. We strengthened our collaboration by signing five agreements. As you know, we travelled to Doha following our contacts in Jeddah. This year marks the 50th anniversary of our diplomatic relations with Qatar. Our relationship with this country, which also happens to be our strategic partner, is excellent. We agreed to expand our existing cooperation in various fields during our meeting with Emir Sheikh Tamim of Qatar."
"Trade and investment between Türkiye and the Emirates have enormous potential"
President Erdoğan emphasised that the UAE is one of the most important commercial and economic partners in the region, saying, "Last year, we increased our trade volume by 25 per cent to 10 billion dollars. This figure is still rising. Trade and investment between Türkiye and the Emirates have enormous potential. During our visit, we assessed the steps needed to realise this potential. We have elevated our relations to the level of a strategic partnership with the joint agreement we accepted."
President Erdoğan stated that they also established the High-Level Strategic Council mechanism, adding, "With the establishment of the mechanism, we have brought a platform where we can discuss the issues on our agenda at the highest level."
President Erdoğan noted that in addition to the joint agreement, 13 agreements totalling 50.7 billion dollars were signed in various fields and added, "2023 marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of our diplomatic relations with the United Arab Emirates. With our visit, we were able to commemorate this significant anniversary in a way that was appropriate for its significance. The business forums organised by the Foreign Economic Relations Board of Türkiye (DEİK) in all three countries contributed to the formation of new commercial partnerships."
Reiterating that they visited the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus on the last day of their visit to celebrate the July 20 Peace and Freedom Day, President Erdoğan said, "The Peace Operation, conducted by our heroic soldiers and mujahideen 49 years ago, saved the lives of our Turkish Cypriot brothers and sisters. In the interim, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus has made significant advances in every field. Throughout this process, we have always stood by our Turkish Cypriot brothers and sisters and will continue to do so."
Stating that the 49th anniversary of the Peace Operation was celebrated with great enthusiasm and the inauguration of new works and that they inaugurated the new terminal building and runway of Ercan Airport on this occasion, President Erdoğan said, "We shared our stance and recommendations regarding the resolution of the Cyprus issue with the entire world. While exerting efforts for the security, welfare, and well-being of the Turkish Cypriots, we will continue our diplomatic efforts to achieve a lasting and just peace on the Island. May Allah keep our path clear."
"We are striving to decrease the number of enemies and increase the number of friends"
President Erdoğan answered the questions of the journalists after his assessment.
Upon the question, "The visit to Vilnius was generally interpreted as a restoration of relations with the West. Your visit to the Gulf also took place with a very positive agenda. How would you assess Turkish foreign policy in the context of both the Vilnius Summit and this visit?" President Erdoğan stated that "decreasing the number of enemies and increasing the number of friends" is a roadmap of their policy, and they continue to do so.
"The axis of Turkish foreign policy has always been national interests"
Emphasising that Türkiye is a significant actor and a game-maker in the regional and global arena, President Erdoğan added:
"In an atmosphere dominated by indecision on global issues, our country stands out with its stable governance and policies. Placing people at the centre of every issue and striving to preserve human dignity, Türkiye is the only country that can establish friendly relations with the West, the Middle East, the Far East, Africa and the Arab geography at the same time. Since the very beginning, we have implemented a principled and resolute foreign policy. Right from the time we assumed power, we have advocated for the resolution of conflicting issues and the strengthening of relations. We cannot consider the processes of strengthening relations and making new friends as 'restoration'. The axis of Turkish foreign policy has always been national interests. This was, is, and will continue to be the case. We can say that it is the beginning of a new era for other countries that have earned or will earn our friendship."
President Erdoğan responded to a question regarding the arming of the Greek islands by stating that he and Prime Minister Kiryakos Mitsotakis of Greece had a very frank discussion on the subject. Stating that the Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan had a similar talk with his counterpart and would continue to do so, President Erdoğan said, ''Of course, this concerns more than just Greece; as you know, their friends in the White House and the lobby constantly provoke them. Occasionally, unpleasant occurrences happened as a result of this provocation. Our Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Fidan, is communicating with his counterpart. The interactions between my advisor Çatay Kılıç and Mitsotakis' special representative will significantly alter the course of this procedure. I believe we will overcome this quickly."
"We will follow up on the Swedish side's promises and assurances"
When asked about Sweden's NATO membership, President Erdoğan said, "When the regulation regarding Sweden's NATO membership is presented to the Parliament, the process will develop in accordance with the parliamentary work schedule. In our meetings, we will follow up on the Swedish side's promises and assurances. We will proceed according to the steps taken by Sweden. The membership of Türkiye in the European Union, which has the second-strongest army in NATO and is the locomotive of NATO, will add vitality and strength to the Union. Sweden will benefit if it takes concrete steps in the delicately targeted fight against terrorist organisations and the extradition of terrorists. We expect the fulfilment of the promises and assurances."
When underscored that the Gulf tour took place as relations with Egypt were warming up and asked, "The current economic framework is extremely favourable. What outcomes are possible outside of this framework? For example, when we consider the current positions of Greece, Israel, and Egypt on the issues of Eastern Mediterranean geopolitics and the Blue Homeland, what will be the effects of the Gulf tour?" President Erdoğan answered:
"The appointment of ambassadors to Egypt is a new development in the region for us. I could tell they were satisfied with it. Our ministers and businesspeople are currently fostering their relations with Egypt. Fostering relations with Egypt will significantly increase our economic potential. We have also taken steps and made strides in relation to natural gas with Libya. This bothered some circles. Türkiye's relations with Egypt will evolve very differently with these developments. I hope we will soon travel to Libya. We may be able to arrange a trip to some other countries in North Africa along with Libya. Without making these visits, it is impossible to advance."
"Our relations with Qatar remain favourable"
Upon the question about the specifics of the agreement made between Türkiye and the UAE with a total value of $50.7 billion and whether there is a comparable figure with Saudi Arabia and Qatar, President Erdoğan replied, "Saudi Arabia and Qatar, like the United Arab Emirates, have taken and will take actions, and they have meetings with our business people. During my bilateral meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia, he stated that the country also has significant potential and that steps will be taken to realise it. Our relations with Qatar remain favourable. There, Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani of Qatar indicated that further action would be taken."
President Erdoğan noted that the shipment of ten thousand containers in response to the earthquake was the most significant action taken, adding, "We distributed and positioned the World Cup-used containers in an effective manner in the earthquake-affected region. For the subsequent process, they stated that they would continue to take similar actions."
President Erdoğan said that major agreements were signed with the United Arab Emirates in the areas of energy, transportation, infrastructure, logistics, e-commerce, finance, health, food, tourism, real estate, construction, the defence industry, artificial intelligence, and advanced technologies and continued, "We reached a massive agreement worth $50.7 billion. Moreover, the largest defence and aerospace export contract in the history of the Republic was signed during our visit to the Gulf countries. Beyond their monetary benefits, these agreements demonstrate the Gulf states' confidence in the Turkish economy and industry. Within the framework of the signed agreements, we will be able to materialise investments in Türkiye, as well as in these countries and in third countries, by expanding and diversifying our partnerships and collaborations."
"As of now, the number of returning refugees may have reached one million"
When asked about the contribution of regional talks to Syria, the refugee issue, and the peace between Israel and Palestine, President Erdoğan stated that the construction of briquette houses for Syrian refugees is ongoing in northern Syria. "We have now built between 100 and 150 thousand briquette houses," said Erdoğan, adding that Syrian refugees began to return as they were constructed. President Erdoğan noted:
"As of now, the number of returning refugees may have reached one million. This number will go up even more in the near future."
When briefed that assessments regarding the visit of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel to Türkiye had appeared in Israeli media in recent days and that there had been claims made about Israel's natural gas being transported from the Mediterranean to Europe via Türkiye and asked about his opinions on the subject, President Erdoğan replied:
"The most suitable project here is the transportation of natural gas to Europe via Türkiye. Otherwise, the cost of natural gas transportation from the Mediterranean to Europe is too high. However, if it passes through Türkiye, we will have entered a profitable period in terms of using it, and we will be able to transfer this service to Europe at a certain rate.
A similar step was taken during the term of Mr Berat, our former Minister of Energy and Natural Resources. That step was interrupted. Now, with this step, we are establishing our first contact with Netanyahu in this regard. I hope that this is the beginning of a period of much warmer relations between Türkiye and Israel."
"We maintain our relations with Russia"
After being briefed on the issue of Russia's closure of the food corridor, which was reported in the European press as "The NATO green light granted to Sweden has diminished Türkiye's mediation role," the question was posed, "Do you agree with this opinion?" In response, President Erdoğan stated his disagreement with this viewpoint.
President Erdoğan stated that Türkiye currently maintains its relations with Russia and that Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan and MIT Director of National Intelligence Organisation İbrahim Kalın continue their meetings.
President Erdoğan noted:
"Either through phone diplomacy or Mr Putin's previously discussed visit to Türkiye, we hope to reach a certain point with Mr Putin very quickly, in conjunction with the ongoing meetings. Russia also has some expectations. Russia is in favour of the active operation of this grain corridor if these issues are resolved. The termination of the Black Sea Grain Initiative will have a variety of consequences, including rising global food prices, famine in certain regions, and, consequently, new migration waves. We will not hesitate to take the initiative to prevent this. I believe that by discussing the issue in detail with Mr Putin, we will ensure the continuation of this humanitarian effort. We know that he also has some expectations from Western countries. Western countries need to take action in this respect."
Stating that they delivered more than 33 million tonnes of grain to the world markets with the Black Sea Grain Initiative, President Erdoğan underlined that they averted a global food crisis, the repercussions of which would have been much more severe in the aftermath of the pandemic and economic crisis.
President Erdoğan said, "Continuing an initiative that is so vital in terms of its outcomes is for the benefit of humanity."
Stating that they will use all diplomatic tools and focus all their efforts on this issue, President Erdoğan stated, "A compromise that benefits humanity has been reached in the midst of war, and we will do our best to ensure that it remains in place. I will hold my talks with Mr Putin upon my return to Türkiye. We will initially engage in telephone diplomacy. If Mr Putin's planned visit in August takes place, we will discuss these issues in detail. I believe that we will ensure the continuation of the Black Sea Grain Initiative without prolonging the process."
"The positive impact of Gabar oil on the economy will begin in 2024"
Upon the question, "Is there an estimated timeline for the Gabar oil?" President Erdoğan said:
"The positive impact of Gabar oil on the economy will begin in 2024. We are currently producing 12-13 thousand barrels per day. Inshallah, it will reach 100 thousand barrels, and thus Türkiye will have doubled its production by the end of 2024. In reality, we can say that the date of commissioning is the end of 2024. We will drill about 100 wells. We are currently directing all drilling rigs in Türkiye and the surrounding countries to the site. Kilometres of roads are being built in the mountains. There's a lot of hard work going on."
"We will make a renewal in our current administration upon our extensive congress"
Stating that they would hold an extensive congress at the beginning of October, President Erdoğan said:
"This congress is actually the signal flare of local elections. We will make a renewal in our current administration upon our extensive congress."
"We will continue in our current anti-drug efforts"
Emphasising that the state is employing all its means to protect young people from self-destructive behaviours such as drugs, President Erdoğan underlined that the fight against drugs should be a common ground of effort for Türkiye and all countries.
President Erdoğan stated that the fight against terrorism and narcotics required a global effort.
"Northern Cyprus has now taken its place as an observer member in the OTS with our efforts"
When asked about the messages regarding the recognition of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, President Erdoğan said:
"Northern Cyprus has now taken its place as an observer member in the Organisation of Turkic States (OTS) with our efforts. Now, the TRNC is invited to attend the meetings of the Organisation. We are working on ways to extend this globally, having begun from the Turkic world. Through bilateral talks and lobbying efforts, we communicate this to the West as well. We hope that, after the Turkic world, we can take these steps by making the Gulf countries, along with the West, feel the weight of this issue as well. Northern Cyprus currently has a population of 300-400 thousand, which is a significant potential. We are building the parliament building, we are building the Presidential building. With these, Northern Cyprus advances to a significantly improved position in terms of physical facilities."
President Erdoğan stated, "Inshallah, by displaying this physical infrastructure to the entire world, we will ensure that new steps are taken concerning Northern Cyprus."