“Terror and democracy cannot go together”
Speaking at a graduation ceremony at the National Defense University, President Erdoğan said: “There can be no reasonable justification for those, who call for solidarity under the roof of NATO, to embrace murderers that have attempted a coup in Türkiye and massacred thousands of our citizens in 40 years. Terror and democracy, terror and security, terror and humanity cannot go together.”
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan made a speech at a graduation ceremony at the National Defense University in Istanbul.
Underscoring that the Turkish Armed Forces is one of the strongest and the most trustworthy armies in the world, President Erdoğan said that Türkiye has successfully fulfilled the missions it has carried out within NATO, and added: “We have never damaged the reputation of our nation, our army, or the international organizations under the roofs of which we serve. We have not done any harm to anyone’s property. We have not threatened anyone’s dignity. We have not caused any innocent person to lose their life. We have not done anyone any injustice. We have not handed over any oppressed person that has taken shelter in our country to their murderers.”
“FEW ALLIES HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO NATO AS MUCH AS TÜRKİYE OVER THE LAST 71 YEARS”
Underscoring that they have always made sincere efforts to establish peace and security and to restore the environment of peace and stability, President Erdoğan said: “Many children of ours have died a martyr’s death to that end in many places, from South Korea to Afghanistan.”
“Few allies have contributed to the NATO alliance as much as Türkiye over the last 71 years,” President Erdoğan stressed, and continued as follows: “While these realities are plain as day, we regretfully follow the campaigns conducted against our country for a while. As we see the steps taken at the expense of the violation of the settled practices, we are worried about the future of the Alliance. Everyone is well aware of our country’s attitude towards the expansion of the Alliance. We have been supporting the open-door policy of the Alliance. We stand ready to embrace anyone who will be loyal to the Alliance’s fundamental values, determinedly combatting terrorism in particular. We have shown our principled stance by approving Finland’s membership. However, we have not hesitated to respond to those, who protect terrorists and who do not take necessary measures in the anti-terror fight.”
“There can be no reasonable justification for those, who call for solidarity under the roof of NATO, to embrace murderers that have attempted a coup in Türkiye and massacred thousands of our citizens in 40 years. Terror and democracy, terror and security, terror and humanity cannot go together. The essence of the Alliance is the establishment of the climate of mutual trust and solidarity. Without that, there is no point in discussing other issues,” President Erdoğan stated.
