Speaking following the meeting of the Presidential Cabinet, President Erdoğan underlined that Turkey will continue to pursue a determined and active policy regarding its rights in the Eastern Mediterranean, and said: “Let me be very clear for those who stand against Turkey at the cost of risking their own citizens’ security and welfare that they hopefully won’t have to pay a heavy price when the time comes. We say at every opportunity that we are in favor of resolving disputes through discussions, talks, negotiations and reconciliation.”
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan held a press conference following the Presidential Cabinet meeting.
“A NEW ERA HAS BEEN USHERED IN FOR TURKEY”
Drawing attention to the ongoing efforts aimed at rapidly eliminating the economic and social effects of the pandemic as well as coping with the setbacks caused by the measures taken in the meantime, President Erdoğan said: “We will ensure that our country emerges in the most advantageous position from the political and economic restructuring process triggered by the pandemic. We are of the belief that a new era has been ushered in for Turkey with its strong infrastructure particularly in production, highly qualified population, ever-developing technology and logistical edge. As a matter of fact, its implications are already visible. I invite our business community to make the most of the opportunities offered by this new era.”
“WE ARE IN PREPARATIONS TO INTRODUCE NEW REFORMS”
President Erdoğan stated: “We undertake projects in a wide range of hi-tech fields such as automotive and defense industries which can make Turkey one of the top few countries of the world. We are also in preparations to introduce new reforms related to human rights, judiciary and commercial regulations that would facilitate the lives of our citizens from every walk of life. With its current level of self-confidence that it has gained as a result of these efforts, Turkey has now become a country that has a say in its region and the world. We are being taken into account this much because we have the infrastructure and determination to effectively use when need be every mechanism from diplomacy to military power to defend our independence and future.”
“EVERY DISRESPECT AGAINST TURKEY FURTHER CONSOLIDATES OUR RESOLVE”
Drawing attention to the warm welcome FETO members received abroad after its coup attempt had been thwarted by the Turkish people, President Erdoğan noted that when Turkey took action for the security of its southern borders, it was yet again confronted by many countries that have designs and interests in the region.
“We have found no one at our side when we foiled the schemes of those who try to confine a country of 780 thousand square kilometers to its coasts through islands of 10 square kilometers,” the President said. Pointing to the unjust and unlawful attempts targeting the activities Turkey carries out based on agreements made in accordance with international rules and UN decisions, President Erdoğan stated that Turkey notes down the moves aimed at further deepening the injustices which the Turks in Cyprus have been enduring for long years. Stressing that those who used to belittle and ignore Turkey in their decisions and actions have grown more furious as they see that they can no longer maintain this attitude, President Erdoğan added that those, who disregard every kind of diplomatic and legal documents, precedents and practices, saw this time a completely different Turkey before them when they attempted to obtain results through shows of strength. The President further stressed that every political, diplomatic or military disrespect or wrong against Turkey further consolidates the country’s resolve, let alone divert it away from its path.
“WE ARE IN FAVOR OF RESOLVING DISPUTES THROUGH DISCUSSIONS, TALKS AND NEGOTIATIONS”
Also touching upon the recent developments in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Aegean, President Erdoğan noted: “Those who, disregarding Turkey’s rights in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Aegean, try to implement a fait accompli without learning their lesson from history will also understand this truth. Let me be very clear for those who stand against Turkey at the cost of risking their own citizens’ security and welfare that they hopefully won’t have to pay a heavy price when the time comes. We say at every opportunity that we are in favor of resolving disputes through discussions, talks, negotiations and reconciliation. I advise that those, who defy us with their dilapidated militaries instead of sitting at the table with us, should closely analyze – let alone history – the diplomatic activities and military operations we have carried out over the past four years. I call on those, the European Union in particular, who have taken with blind fanaticism an opposing stance against our country on this issue without making a distinction between right and false, fair and unfair, moral and immoral, to act with fairness and common sense.”
President Erdoğan added: “We hope that European countries, which have failed the test in Cyprus, Syria and Libya, will follow a consistent path at least in the Eastern Mediterranean. Turkey, as is the case with its border security, will continue to pursue to the end a determined and active policy regarding its rights in the Eastern Mediterranean, as well.”