Delivering remarks following the Presidential Cabinet Meeting, President Erdoğan said: “The improvement in the basic indicators of our economy continues uninterruptedly despite all the uncertainties in the global economy, escalating conflicts and tensions in our region, and the pessimistic scenarios drawn about the future.”
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan held a press conference following the Presidential Cabinet Meeting at the Presidential Complex.
“WE DO NOT ALLOW TREASONS AND VILE ATTACKS TO PREVENT US FROM ACHIEVING OUR GOALS”
Speaking about the issues addressed during the Cabinet Meeting, President Erdoğan drew attention to the progress made with determination towards the establishment of the Century of Türkiye, and said: “We recognize no obstacle in the way of a prosperous and peaceful future for our 85 million citizens. We do not allow treasons, sabotages, and vile attacks to erode our determination or prevent us from achieving our goals.”
“We hosted the foreign ministers of Azerbaijan, Armenia, Iran and Russia during the 3+3 Regional Cooperation Platform in Istanbul on October 18. We are witnessing that the platform, one of the most tangible examples of our sense of regional ownership, fulfills a major need. We desire to institutionalize this mechanism in the upcoming period,” said President Erdoğan.
Drawing attention to the unique opportunity that emerged for permanent peace in the South Caucasus following the 44-day Patriotic War, which ended the 30-year-long occupation in Karabakh, President Erdoğan stated: “The winds of peace are now blowing in this region, which had been known for pain, occupation and conflicts in the past. We are closely following the steps taken in this direction by Armenia and the brotherly Azerbaijan. Our wish is to receive good and auspicious news as soon as possible without giving any opportunity to the circles seeking to dynamite the process. As Türkiye, we will continue to work for permanent peace in cooperation with our Azerbaijani brothers and sisters.”
“INFLATION, WHICH HAS BEEN A HEADACHE FOR OUR COUNTRY ALONG WITH THE ENTIRE WORLD INCLUDING EUROPE AND THE U.S., HAS STARTED TO DECLINE”
Highlighting the positive developments in the Turkish economy, President Erdoğan stated: “We came together with the representatives of our business community during the 51st General Assembly of the Turkish Employers’ Association of Metal Industries, which celebrates its 61st foundation anniversary this year. We were particularly pleased to see our business community’s support for our economic policies. It further consolidated our confidence. The improvement in the basic indicators of our economy continues uninterruptedly despite all the uncertainties in the global economy, escalating conflicts and tensions in our region, and the pessimistic scenarios drawn about the future. There is a visible increase in every sphere, from the reserves of the Central Bank to exports, from tourist numbers to employment. Inflation, which has been a headache for our country along with the entire world including Europe and the U.S., has started to decline. The bubble of exorbitant prices has already disappeared in certain sectors. It will inshallah continue to do so. We will definitely not tolerate those who set their sights on the halal sustenance of our citizens.”
“WE ARE STRENGTHENING OUR COOPERATION WITH GERMANY IN A MANNER BEFITTING TWO ANCIENT FRIENDS AND NATO ALLIES”
Noting that this year marks the 100th anniversary of the Treaty of Friendship between Türkiye and Germany, President Erdoğan said: “Following German President Steinmeier’s visit in April, we hosted Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Istanbul last week. We are strengthening our cooperation with Germany in a manner befitting two ancient friends and NATO allies. Our target is to reach 60 billion dollars in bilateral trade, which currently amounts to 50 million dollars. We will inshallah accomplish this target by unleashing our potential at the highest level, first and foremost in tourism, investments, and defense industry.”
President Erdoğan added: “Even though we have differences of opinion on issues such as Israel’s massacres, Germany is our country’s most important partner in Europe and it will remain so.”
“THE AXIS OF TÜRKİYE IS THE BACKBONE OF OUR FOREIGN POLICY”
Underlining that Türkiye has been executing its foreign policy through a 360-degree perspective in accordance with its geographical location and objectives as well as its humanitarian, historical and commercial ties, President Erdoğan stated: “While strengthening our relations with the West, we do not turn our back on the East. We are taking our steps with a free will in accordance with our own interests rather than in a direction others try to set for us. We are heading towards wherever Türkiye’s interests lie and we are developing cooperations in whatever direction that benefits Türkiye. Let me reiterate, given its importance, what I have said previously; the Axis of Türkiye is the backbone of our foreign policy. Türkiye’s national interests, security sensitivities, and economic and commercial benefits are above everything else and constitute our main priority. We are not changing direction. On the contrary, we are endeavoring to take our rightful place in the changing global system with a Türkiye-centered approach. This is the reason that lies behind our efforts to enhance our relations with multinational cooperation platforms at various levels.”
“OUR GROWING RELATIONS WITH BRICS ARE BY NO MEANS AN ALTERNATIVE TO OUR EXISTING ENGAGEMENTS”
Noting that he attended the 16th BRICS Summit in Kazan on October 22-24 at the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin, President Erdoğan said: “We had the opportunity to explain our country’s conscientious and principled stance on regional issues to our counterparts during the BRICS Summit in the outreach/BRICS Plus format. I had bilateral talks with the leaders of Russia, Venezuela, Uzbekistan, Vietnam and the Congo on the margins of the summit. We also met with other heads of state and government participating in the summit. I am of the opinion that we have a significant potential for cooperation with BRICS members. The following figures alone are enough to show that we shouldn’t stay at a distance from BRICS. We believe that it is in the best interest of our country, which is an economic center of attraction and among the top 10 economies of the world, to advance its relations with BRICS, which covers 30 percent of the earth area, constitutes 45 percent of the global population, produces 40 percent of the global oil, carries out 25 percent of the global goods exports, and accounts for two-fifths of the global trade. I am repeating; our growing relations with BRICS are by no means and can never be an alternative to our existing engagements. Türkiye participates in all of these platforms as a country that is a NATO ally and that is conducting negotiations for full membership to the EU.”
“THE TIMING AND THE TARGET OF THE TERRORIST ATTACK IN ANKARA WERE NOT COINCIDENTAL”
Stressing that the timing and the target of the terrorist attack on the Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) facility in the Kahramankazan district of Ankara were not coincidental, President Erdoğan stated: “The last attack has once again revealed whom and what the separatist terrorist organization serves as puppets and as pawns. It is understood that the terror barons who feed on blood are looking for new masters and patrons to serve in our region. I believe that our nation clearly sees the goals sought to be achieved and the messages tried to be conveyed with this attack. Let me express openly that we, as the Republic of Türkiye, have discarded the messages intended to be given through this vile attack.”
Describing the terrorist attack on TAI as a sign of panic, exhaustion and desperation amid the terrorist organization, President Erdoğan went onto say: “We retaliated the treacherous attack in a way stronger manner by crushing the separatist terrorist organization’s lairs in Syria and Iraq. More than 470 targets belonging to the terrorist organization were hit, and 213 terrorists were neutralized. May our nation and martyrs’ families rest assured that the Turkish Armed Forces and the National Intelligence Organization have avenged the blood of our martyrs.”
“TÜRKİYE WILL NOT TAKE EVEN A SINGLE STEP BACK FROM ITS STRATEGY OF ELIMINATING TERROR AT ITS SOURCE”
Underscoring that Türkiye will not take even a single step back from its strategy of eliminating terror at its source, President Erdoğan stressed that terror barons will not be able to shape Türkiye's politics, change its course or create division among the 85 million people.
President Erdoğan said: “The undignified death of the ringleader of the FETO betrayal network in Pennsylvania, which martyred our 252 brothers and sisters on the night of July 15, in the lap of his masters, should be a lesson to everybody. Those who shoot at this benevolent nation, betray it, stab it in the back, and shed the blood of its children can find peace neither in this life nor in the hereafter and they will always be remembered with condemnation. I hereby extend my heartfelt gratitude to all the brotherly and friendly countries, heads of state and government, and representatives of international organizations who displayed a strong solidarity with our country in the aftermath of the October 23 terrorist attack. We have also noted with appreciation the United Nations Security Council statement that condemns the attack and extends condolences to our country.”
