Erdoğan: I Still Hold Out Hope for Assad

Forex - President Erdoğan expressed hope for the restoration of relations between Syria and Turkey by stating, "I still have hope in Assad." He made these comments while addressing questions from reporters on the flight back from his visits to Saudi Arabia and Azerbaijan.

Erdoğan emphasized that Turkey is focused on measures and collaborations to enhance stability in the global economy, highlighting that "Energy security is a critical issue for Turkey. We must create an agenda that includes concrete proposals to address the economic challenges faced by developing countries in a globalizing world."

Here are excerpts from Erdoğan's speech:

"Dear members of the press, I greet you with my warmest feelings and affection. We have reached the end of our two-day trip to Riyadh and Baku. In my speech at the Second Extraordinary Joint Summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the Arab League in Riyadh, I addressed the genocide in Gaza and Lebanon. I emphasized the need for an immediate ceasefire as a priority, and for humanitarian aid to be delivered uninterruptedly and systematically to those in need. We are making intense efforts to keep the pressure on Israel alive and to implement coercive measures against this country based on international law. Without a doubt, Turkey is the country that has responded most strongly to Israel's atrocities, taking the most concrete steps, including halting trade. We are also at the forefront in terms of the amount of humanitarian aid sent to Gaza. Our initiative at the United Nations to prevent the delivery of weapons and munitions to Israel has garnered the support of 52 countries and 2 international organizations. I conveyed our letter regarding this initiative to the Chair of the UN Security Council and the UN Secretary-General recently. At our summit in Riyadh, a decision was made to invite all members of the organization and the Arab League to sign our letter. Our country's steps to halt the massacres and its humanitarian efforts were praised. We also had the opportunity for bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the summit. We met with Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and it was a productive meeting. Additionally, we had discussions with King Abdullah of Jordan, Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, as well as officials from Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Lebanon, Iraq, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Chad, Guinea-Bissau, Senegal, and the Maldives.

During the second leg of my visit, I attended the World Leaders Climate Summit held in Baku. I would like to take this opportunity to once again thank my brother, President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan, for the hospitality extended to me and my delegation. This summit, which is the most important climate event under the auspices of the United Nations, was attended by heads of state and government from 80 countries. The most anticipated negotiation topic at the summit was the financing of climate change. We discussed how to create the financial resources needed by developing countries. We evaluated the confirmation of the annual target of 100 billion dollars for climate financing announced at the Copenhagen Climate Summit in 2009 and its support through additional mechanisms for after 2025. In my address to the summit, I outlined Turkey's efforts in combating climate change. I emphasized that we will continue to contribute to the global climate trend. I highlighted the importance of the Zero Waste Movement, initiated by my wife Emine Erdoğan, which has rapidly transformed into a global project. I also pointed to the progress we have made in afforestation, water management, and renewable energy. We rank fifth in Europe and eleventh in the world in renewable energy. In addition to our water efficiency mobilization, we have declared every November 11 as "National Afforestation Day." Starting from yesterday, we have begun to connect millions of saplings with the soil, thanks to the support of our people. We also held bilateral meetings with the interlocutors who attended the Leaders' Summit. In this context, we met with UK Prime Minister Mr. Keir Starmer, Kazakhstan's President Mr. Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Moldova's President Ms. Maia Sandu, Montenegro's President Mr. Jakov Milatovic, and Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev. In these meetings, we discussed both our bilateral relations and regional developments. I hope that the decisions made at both summits will bring about blessings, and I thank our Saudi brothers and dear Azerbaijan, especially my brother Ilham for their kind hospitality. I greet you once again with respect. Now, I turn the floor over to you."

QUESTION: With your participation, Turkey became one of the countries most represented at the COP29 Climate Summit held in Baku. The share of renewable energy sources in energy production reached as high as 55% during the AK Party's rule, which is a record. Turkey, viewing green growth as a national issue, has placed fifth in Europe and eleventh in the world, as you just mentioned. In this context, can we consider our goal of net zero emissions by 2053 realistic, and will we be able to achieve it, sir?

The climate issue is one of the most critical concerns facing the world. Just as we take seriously wars, conflicts, and migrations, we approach this issue with the same gravity. As a government in Turkey, we insistently focus on what measures we can take alongside our relevant ministries on this matter. We are taking steps to use the limited resources of our world as efficiently as possible and to elevate the civilization we have developed over centuries to a very different level. Turkey attaches great importance to this issue and makes maximum effort to fulfill our responsibilities. However, it is impossible to find a deep and lasting solution to this problem with just our efforts or those of a few countries. We must act in an organized manner and shoulder the burden of this issue together. While some countries fully combat climate change, others ignore necessary measures driven by profit motives, even attempting to pollute the environment further. We can overcome this global problem through a mobilization focused on objectives and marked by high awareness, starting from families as the smallest social unit, extending to institutions, organizations, local governments, civil society, countries, and international organizations. Particularly, it is essential to provide financing, technology transfer, and capacity development to engage countries lacking sufficient resources and opportunities to join the struggle against climate change. The importance of the Zero Waste initiative is increasingly recognized every day, and we strive to mainstream this initiative and transform it into a lifestyle. Our sensitivity towards the environment and climate is at its highest level and will remain so. We will continue to take measures as we have until now.

QUESTION: Mr. Donald Trump has won the presidential race in the United States. You also had a phone call with him. I would like you to assess the course of Turkish-American relations in light of opportunities and risks in this new era.

The development of relations between Turkey and the United States in the new era will not be achieved solely through phone diplomacy. I hope to meet with Mr. Trump at international meetings or bilateral discussions to better assess how we will evaluate the upcoming process. Right now, we need to see how Mr. Trump’s cabinet will form and what kind of cabinet will emerge. Additionally, Mr. Trump’s cabinet will get to know my cabinet members better through discussions they will have, and we hope to take our steps accordingly. At this point, Vice Presidents and Foreign Ministers are significant. These ministers will meet to get to know each other and hold consultations. Our hope is that a very different process begins between Turkey and the United States. Undoubtedly, opportunities always exist between the two countries. Our fundamental expectation is the willingness to assess these opportunities and take steps that will benefit both countries. We approach the issue from the perspective of our country’s interests, as every leader does. The Trump administration sees the economy as one of its primary targets. Turkey, with its strategic geographical positioning and young population, offers investment opportunities. We can create new opportunities to increase trade volume and encourage investments between the two countries, especially in energy, infrastructure, and technology.

QUESTION: How much has Donald Trump's election reduced the threat of regional wars and Israeli occupation?

It seems a bit early for me to make assessments on this topic. Let's see how Trump will receive the office from Biden. After the handover, we will then see what steps will be taken in the new era. Our hope is that Trump will take much different steps towards the region during this term, as messages given at times can concern us. Therefore, we need to see January. From January onwards, we will see what steps will be taken. As we spoke and met shortly after his election, I believe we will continue to conduct our relations in the same manner in this process as well. Our previous meetings with Trump were considerably more frequent compared to those with Biden. I hope we can take these steps in the best way, and both the United States and Turkey will benefit from that.

QUESTION: The West, led by the United States, sees China and Russia as threats to the post-World War II order. How do you evaluate Russia and China’s stance on Israel and Gaza?

The attitudes of Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Putin will be revealed over time. Time is the ideal witness to this matter. We too must follow this and will be doing so. Accordingly, we will see what kind of attitudes they adopt and what steps they will take. These countries have now gained significant importance in the world. Therefore, we will also follow them closely. China and Russia have made statements that Israel's attacks are unjust and illegal. They are also expressing their views on the need to end the attacks and resolve the matter through diplomacy. Our joint letter initiative at the United Nations, requesting measures to halt the supply of arms and munitions to Israel has received signatures from Russia and China, and this is an important step. Because as long as the supply of arms and munitions to Israel continues, Israel will become more aggressive. Every day that Israel is not stopped exacerbates the humanitarian situation in Palestine and Lebanon. Every day that humanitarian aid cannot reach people leads to deaths due to lack of medicine, hunger, thirst, and brutal attacks.

QUESTION: Turkey has completely halted trade with Israel. However, there are claims that trade continues. Who brings these up and for what purpose? What are your thoughts on this?

This is the dirtiest side of politics. Why do they do these things? They do it with the understanding of how to tarnish the current government. Currently, we, as the Republic of Turkey and the Government, have severed relations with Israel. We have no relationship with Israel at this point. Nor do we have any steps to develop these relations in the future. These political parties, who burn with their "cold crimes," are trying to find ways to undermine or belittle the People's Alliance. Such undermining is futile. At this time, the People's Alliance is resolutely determined to sever relations with Israel. We will continue this determination in the future. The Government of the Republic of Turkey under Recep Tayyip Erdoğan will not continue or develop its relations with Israel. We have no intention of doing so. Some people have closed their ears, eyes, and minds with greed plugs. They are blind to seeing the truth, deaf to hearing the truth, and mute to speaking the truth. There is nothing left for them to do. They will continue to flounder in the pit they're in, no matter what we say. Our interlocutors have never been slanderers. We have explained this issue to our nation and will continue to do so. Because our nation witnessed how sincerely we have endeavored on this matter. Not only our nation but the whole world bears witness. We have cut off trade and relations with Israel. Period. We stand by Palestine in its rightful cause until the end. We will hold the tyrant called Netanyahu and his gang accountable for their actions in front of the law. We will be on the heels of tyrants until the end. We know that slanderers will target us because of the pressure we put on Israel. We determine our course not according to the dirty sentences of slanderers but in the direction indicated by our nation.

QUESTION: Your participation in the family photo at the Extraordinary Summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the Arab League, next to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, has become one of the most discussed topics in our country since yesterday. Did you have any contact with the Syrian side on the sidelines of the summit? What is the latest status of the normalization process with Syria?

I was unable to listen to Bashar Assad's speech; I went out to meet with Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman. I still have hope in Assad. I still hope that we can come together and put Syria-Turkey relations on the right track. Because we need to eliminate the terrorist organizations between Syria and Turkey. There is a foundation for a just and lasting peace in Syria. The steps to achieve this are clear. We have reached out our hand to the Syrian side regarding normalization. I believe this normalization will open the door to peace and tranquility in the Syrian territory. We are not the ones threatening Syria's territorial integrity. The terrorist organization PKK/PYD/YPG and others threaten Syria's territorial integrity. The Syrians scattered across many countries do not threaten Syria's territorial integrity either. Assad must realize this and take steps to initiate a new climate in his country and reclaim it. The threat of Israel next door is not a fairy tale. It should not be forgotten that the fire in the vicinity will spread rapidly in unstable lands.

QUESTION: While addressing Israel's aggressiveness, you said, "We will not wait for the fire in the region to reach us." Can we interpret these words as an indication of a new operation to establish a buffer zone beyond our borders before the fire approaches us?

There is a situation concerning a 30-kilometer deep safe zone. The matter of 30-kilometer depth actually involved our steps to eliminate these terrorist organizations within Syria. On the other hand, the goal was to create a basis for the voluntary, safe, and dignified return of our Syrian brothers. Some distance has already been covered in this regard. We are still continuing with housing construction in northern Syria. With these housing projects, we have prepared a ground for our Syrian brothers. The steps we will take in Syria are of great importance, both at the COP Summit and the meetings we held in Riyadh. The moment we resolve this, we will make significant progress in northern Syria. Just think about the Kamışlı region in Syria. Why are we taking necessary steps with our security forces there? Because we aim to eliminate this terrorist organization from its roots. With these steps, our security forces have achieved significant progress and results there. Our intelligence organization and security forces have relaxed Turkey with their achievements there. Cross-border operations are always on our agenda to secure our country and ensure the peace of our citizens. If we feel threatened, we are always prepared to begin our cross-border operations. No one should doubt our respect for Syria's territorial integrity. However, a complete instability prevails in northern Syria. This prepares a conducive environment for terrorist organizations to thrive amidst the chaos there. The instability and terrorist organizations in Syria pose a security risk for us. The aim of all our operations against both ISIS and PKK/PYD/YPG is to ensure our own security. The steps we will take from now on will be for that purpose. There are still areas across our borders where terrorists are holding ground, and this poses a risk to our security. It is not possible to ensure complete security without entirely cleaning those areas and drying up the terrorism swamp.

QUESTION: Israeli aggression continues, and we see that Western countries are providing intense support. Is this process an attempt to redraw the borders in the Middle East? What are your thoughts on this? You have previously emphasized the importance of the internal front. How do you evaluate the significance of the internal front and the opposition's stance on this issue?

Currently, the opposition does not seem to have such a concern. Since the opposition lacks such concerns, we are now having to cut our own umbilical cord. We have no choice. All the news coming from Syria suggests to me that the results there will also relieve Syria. But reviving our relationship with Bashar Assad will hopefully provide even more relief to the region. It seems the opposition has not understood our understanding of strengthening our internal front. While strengthening the internal front is always important, unfortunately, when we wanted to strengthen the internal front, we could not find an opposition that acted with shared sensitivities beside us. The opposition is busy with daily political issues, gains, and rents. Meanwhile, we are working on policies that will address global and regional risks for many years to come. While we strive to keep our internal front strong, we will not allow any leeway for terrorism. Strengthening the internal front does not mean allowing terrorist organizations room to operate or turning a blind eye to them looting the resources of the people. We are calling for strengthening our unity and solidarity. We want to respond to those trying to divide us and tear us apart with the same resolve and tone and say, “We are one, we are whole; we are Turkey together.” We strive to keep the hands of those sowing discord among us empty. This spirit of unity and solidarity is already in our DNA. Our call to keep the internal front strong is a spark to remind us of our unity, solidarity, and brotherhood. It is a call to push away those trying to tarnish that unique picture we've created by holding tightly to the values that define us.

QUESTION: What stance do you plan to take at the G-20 Summit to be held in Rio, especially in terms of global economy and energy security? What proposals will you make regarding the economic difficulties faced by developing countries?

I believe that the meeting in Brazil will be a summit where very different messages will be conveyed to the world. We are determined in this regard. Hopefully, we will prepare well for it. I think that the Rio Summit will be very productive and beneficial. Our meeting with Mr. Lula there will hopefully resonate worldwide. We see the G20 Summit in Rio as an important platform for global economy and energy security. Turkey is a country focused on measures and collaborations that increase stability in the global economy. We have emphasized the need to develop joint strategies for economic recovery processes after the pandemic, reiterating the importance of international solidarity at every opportunity. Energy security is also critical for Turkey. We must establish an agenda containing concrete proposals to address the economic challenges faced by developing countries in a globalizing world. Because we must take precautions against crises that affect not only one country but many connected economies in a chain reaction. As an active and effective member of international platforms, Turkey is working on numerous proposals to improve both its own economic interests and the situation of developing countries.

QUESTION: Mr. Bahçeli reiterated his call to end terrorism at today’s group meeting. CHP leader Özgür Özel expressed after your supportive statements towards Mr. Bahçeli, ‘They meet at the same point; Erdoğan and Bahçeli are doing the same thing. But we will meet with the families of the martyrs.’ Despite a request from the mothers in Diyarbakır, the CHP's former and new leaders did not meet with them when they visited. However, today they put martyr families in the foreground. Do you find Özgür Özel's statement sincere?

I do not find Özgür Özel's statement sincere. Turkey has been fighting the scourge of separatist terrorism for 40 years. We have lost thousands of our security personnel, public servants, and civilian citizens to the heinous attacks of the terrorist organization. Most recently, in a terrorist act against TUSAŞ, five patriotic children of our nation were martyred; may God grant peace to all our martyrs and their eternal resting places be paradise. Thanks to our strategy of neutralizing the terrorist threat at its source, we have achieved significant gains on the field. This struggle will continue with the same determination and resolve. There is no place for terrorism or terrorism-supported politics in Turkey’s future. We, as the People's Alliance, are in complete consensus on this issue.