President Erdoğan: We will continue to consolidate our brotherhood in every area in order for the 21st Century to become a Century of Turks

 

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan held a press conference at Ankara Esenboğa Airport ahead of his departure for Turkmenistan’s Awaza city to attend the First Summit of Heads of State of Türkiye-Azerbaijan-Turkmenistan.

Drawing attention to the preliminary works completed by the foreign ministers prior to the First Summit of Heads of State of Türkiye-Azerbaijan-Turkmenistan to be hosted by President Serdar Berdimuhamedov of Turkmenistan, President Erdoğan said: “In this way, we, as the Heads of State, are launching a new format of cooperation. Our cooperation with Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan, with both of which we have ties of common history, language and culture, grows increasingly stronger every passing day. It is also evident that we have the potential to further our solidarity. We take into account the opportunities offered by regional and global developments as well in our efforts to strengthen our relations.”

“ENERGY, TRANSPORTATION AND TRADE ISSUES WILL BE THE MAIN AGENDA ITEMS OF THE SUMMIT”

Describing the Awaza Summit as the newest and latest example of these efforts, President Erdoğan said: “Energy, transportation and trade issues will be the main agenda items of the summit. We will also sign various agreements to strengthen the contractual basis of our relations. We will therefore reinforce the existing mechanisms of cooperation between our institutions responsible for energy, transportation, trade, economy, customs, education, science and culture.”

Noting that views will be exchanged on regional and global issues as well during the Awaza Summit, President Erdoğan added: “Our goal is to build a more prosperous and safer future not only for the three countries but also for all the brotherly Turkic states and our region. It is also among our goals to enhance our cooperation at multilateral platforms, primarily at the Organization of Turkic States. I believe that the decisions to be made at the summit will help us in these efforts of ours.”

President Erdoğan answered reporters’ questions following the press conference.

Asked about the latest state of the works related to Türkiye being an alternative route for the shipment of Turkmenistan gas, President Erdoğan stressed that the Azawa Summit is mainly aimed at taking steps regarding natural gas, and added: “That is why our Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources is accompanying us for the summit. We will hold relevant talks there. The participation of Mr. Aliyev is also of importance. We will discuss this issue in a trilateral format. It is my wish that we may bring Turkmenistan gas to our country via the Caspian Sea.”

“WE CANNOT REMAIN SILENT TO ATTACKS ON OUR LANDS”

In answer to a question about a possible ground operation into Syria’s north, President Erdoğan said that it is not appropriate to announce a timeframe or location, and added: “However, the goals we have agreed upon with Mr. Putin in the Sochi Memorandum are clear. I have reminded him of them. We have a goal of 30-km depth southwards from the border. Unfortunately, our country faces a continuous terrorist threat from this region. They have significantly intensified recently. It is not possible for us to remain silent in the face of them. Just like the steps we have taken with the operation Claw-Lock, we cannot remain silent to the off-and-on attacks against our lands originating from Syria’s north. We warn and remind about this. We have requested support from him for future joint steps with Russia and, maybe, for the implementation. We can never compromise on this issue because it is my country that faces terrorist threat and while that is the case we are not supposed to ask anyone for permission.”