President Erdoğan: "We are free to use Israeli natural gas in our country, and, beyond using it, we may also engage in a joint effort for its transit to Europe. Inshallah, these issues will be on our agenda during Herzog's visit to Türkiye."
During his return flight from a visit to Ukraine, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan briefed the media members on the agenda and said, "We hope to bring Putin and Zelensky together at a high-level meeting. Zelensky is on the same page with us about this issue."
Sharing details about his official visit to Ukraine and noting that they had the 10th Meeting of the High-Level Strategic Council, which was established in 2011, President Erdoğan said that they held bilateral and inter-committee meetings and had the opportunity to discuss the current cooperation areas between Türkiye and Ukraine, as well as military, political, economic, business, and cultural developments during the Council meeting.
Drawing attention to the fact that the trade volume between Türkiye and Ukraine reached 7.5 billion dollars in 2021, President Erdoğan said, "Now we aim for a trade volume of ten billion dollars. Inshallah, we will achieve it as well. Our visit, which coincided with the 30th anniversary of the beginning of our diplomatic relations with Ukraine, was crowned with the signing of eight agreements. Particularly, the Free Trade Agreement, whose negotiations have been going on for 11 years, was very, very important and meaningful. We also had the opportunity to discuss many different issues during the meeting. We decided that our next Council meeting would be held in Türkiye on the 100th anniversary of our Republic."
"We stated that we would be willing to host a presidential summit"
President Erdoğan reiterated the visit's emphasis on Ukraine's sovereignty, political unity, and territorial integrity, and added:
"Unfortunately, the tension between Ukraine and Russia is escalating. We have stated clearly to Mr Zelensky that we are ready to help in de-escalating the situation. He said, 'I am prepared to contribute in any way possible if such a step is taken. I will go anywhere you say the instant you call, whether the following day or two days later, whenever and wherever you say'."
We stated that we would be willing to host a presidential summit or technical level talks on this issue. I said that I believed the intensification of the Ukraine-Russia conflict by the international press would do more harm than good. It is of great importance to maintain a peaceful attitude during this process, especially with meticulous sensitivity. Both lanes get blocked when bilateral problems are incorporated into the Euro-Atlantic Security Negotiations. However, if the two dimensions are evaluated separately and dealt with according to their respective dynamics, the chance of a solution increases significantly."
Construction of housing for Crimean Tatars
President Erdoğan stated that during his visit, they also discussed the issue of the Crimean Tatars.
President Erdoğan underlined that Türkiye had already made a promise to construct housing for Crimean Tatars, and he added, "We have promised to build a mosque for them in addition to the housing we will construct in Kyiv. The work on these projects is nearing completion. Inshallah, we will take this step with the Housing Development Administration of Türkiye (TOKI) and will see it through promptly."
Underlining that they would maintain intensive mutual contacts and consultations at all levels with Türkiye's strategic partner Ukraine, President Erdoğan said, “Cooperation between Türkiye and Ukraine will undoubtedly contribute to the peace and prosperity of the entire region. I am hopeful that the meetings we held and the agreements we signed in Ukraine will lead to auspicious results. I would also like to express my gratitude to all of the ministers, bureaucrats, and technocrats who accompanied me on this visit."
“The West has failed to contribute to the resolution of the issue”
When journalists asked him to comment on statements made by the international press, as well as some countries, most notably the US and the UK, regarding the escalation of tensions between Ukraine and Russia, President Erdoğan made the following remarks:
“Once again, I must state unequivocally that, if attention is paid throughout this process, the West has failed to contribute in any way to the resolution of the issue so far. I can only say that they appear to be putting up roadblocks. There is such a circumstance. I place a significant value on the meeting with Mr. Putin on this issue. Likewise, I realised during the meeting with President Zelensky that we had already reached an agreement on these issues. Because there is currently a severe leadership problem in Europe when it comes to tackling this issue. Prior to that, you could see Merkel showing up when needed, and she indeed held the key to the solution. But, aside from her, no such leader exists at the moment. There's no need to mention the others.
When it comes to the position of the US, Biden has yet to show a constructive approach toward the process. So far, no progress toward an outcome has been made in foreign ministers' meetings. We clearly see this in their stance. Hopefully, if we are tasked with the role of a mediator following our meeting with Mr. Putin, we will accept to be involved in the process in this capacity, and inshallah, strive to do our part for it.”
President Erdogan reiterated that President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson also visited Ukraine and added, “We want to review these visits later and take a step accordingly. Following his visit, we held some meetings with our brother Ilham Aliyev. The aim is to do everything possible to remedy the problem without expecting anything in return.”
“We hope to hold this meeting to bring Putin and Zelenksy together”
When asked if Türkiye could bring Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky together, President Erdogan stated that Putin responded positively, stating that he would pay a visit to Türkiye after returning from China upon Türkiye’s invitation.
“Now, we will set a date. Then we hope to hold this meeting to bring together Mr. Putin and Mr. Zelensky at a high-level meeting. Zelensky is on the same page with us about this issue. If we could convene this meeting at a high level rather than a low level, I believe the outcome we will obtain from it will pave the way for a new structure in the region. During my meeting with Zelensky, I grew optimistic about it. I hope it ends well,” said President Erdoğan.
"We currently have significant bilateral relations with Russia"
Pointing out that his visit had a wider coverage in the Ukrainian media than the visit of British Prime Minister Johnson, the journalists posed the question, "Putin made a certain build-up. Could there be an initiative of Putin before his visit to Türkiye to ensure a solid seat at the table and not to waste this build-up? If so, how would be the nature of that meeting when he came to Türkiye and sat at the table?" President Erdoğan said:
"I don't want to see the glass as half empty; I want to see it as half full. We will discuss whether our meeting with Mr Putin will be on a tete-a-tete basis or within the High-Level Strategic Council Meeting framework. If they say we should do it within the High-Level Strategic Council Meeting framework, then we will do it in that framework.
In other words, we will meet for the High-Level Strategic Council Meeting in the same way we held our meeting between delegations in Ukraine. We will hold our High-Level Strategic Council Meeting while having the opportunity to hold a tete-a-tete meeting with Mr Putin, particularly to overcome this problem between Russia and Ukraine. Because we currently have significant bilateral relations with Russia. These relations are beyond the ordinary. This is why the steps to be taken are critical. In this regard, I attach great importance to the meeting with Mr Putin."
"My hope is for the region to remain peaceful"
President Erdoğan stated that this meeting is also of greater significance in terms of its implications for Ukraine and added: "Because the world has its eyes on here right now; the entire globe wonders how this conflict between Russia and Ukraine will end up. Of course, the problem is centred on the Donbass. The developments in the Donbass and along the borders have all shifted the world's attention to this region as of now. My hope is for the region to remain peaceful. This is why our struggle continues."
When questioned about the developments in the Eastern Mediterranean and Türkiye's assessment of signals of normalisation with such countries as Egypt, Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia, after being reminded that the United States had abandoned its backing for the EastMed project in the Eastern Mediterranean, leaving Türkiye as the sole viable route for Israeli gas, President Erdoğan responded: "Of course, these are not trivial numbers; but rather highly serious ones. In my opinion, the USA has had to withdraw its support from this project, as it was unable to obtain the desired results and did not find this task financially viable. Otherwise, the USA would not have withdrawn from it if the economic outcome had been realised."
President Erdoğan remarked that Türkiye took steps to safeguard the rights of Turkish Cypriots in the region, noting that three drilling vessels and two seismic vessels are currently operational, and another drilling vessel has been purchased.
"There might be natural gas supply from Iraq to Türkiye”
President Erdoğan stated that Türkiye took an economical approach to natural gas use and reminded that only the amount of natural gas distributed to the industry was reduced.
"Meanwhile, I had a meeting with the President of Iran," President Erdoğan remarked, emphasising that there was no natural gas cut-off for households and that the program was carried out accordingly. Similarly, we sent the Deputy Minister of Energy and Natural Resources as well as officials from the Petroleum Pipeline Corporation (BOTAS) to Iran. They also held meetings there. 'If you can wait 10-15 days, we will figure this out,' said the President of Iran. Indeed, the problem was resolved in 15 days, and everything went back to normal again."
President Erdoğan expressed that Iraq was also included in the process and added, “There might be natural gas supply from Iraq to Türkiye. If this happens, the issue will take on a new dimension. However, for the time being, Türkiye does not have a natural gas shortage. Painting a picture of a natural gas shortage when Türkiye has none serves no purpose other than to create a negative psychological impact on people during the winter."
“We discussed central Iraq with Nechirvan Barzani”
Upon being asked, “Will the gas to be supplied from Iraq come from northern Iraq? You have recently met with Nechirvan Barzani. It will be supplied from northern Iraq, not the central administration. Is that correct?” President Erdoğan said,
"Even though Nechirvan Barzani is in northern Iraq, we can talk about central Iraq with him, and so we did. Our friendship with Nechirvan Barzani is very special, and we have a long history. He also said he would do his best about this and discuss the matter with the central government and other officials. Inshallah, we will make deals about the Iraqi natural gas; this will be a win-win situation for both parties.”
“We have played key roles in the suppression of the terrorist organisation DEASH”
Upon the question about the US’ announcement that DEASH terrorist organisation leader Al-Qurayshi was killed as a result of an operation in Syria, President Erdoğan replied, “In order to maintain peace and stability, Türkiye remains committed to fighting the DEASH terrorist organisation and the twisted ideology it symbolises. We have actively contributed to international efforts in this respect. Besides, we have played key roles in the suppression of the terrorist organisation DAESH through domestic and cross-border operations, as well as the preventive measures we have implemented.” President Erdoğan also emphasised that Türkiye, as an active member of the Global Coalition against DAESH, would continue to contribute actively to international efforts to combat this terrorist organisation, adding that they believe it is essential to fight against all terrorist organisations without distinction to maintain international peace and security.