President Erdoğan: Ongoing developments lay bare the fact that Türkiye is a key country both for the Union and Europe

 

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan held a press conference following the meeting of the European Political Community at Prague Castle in Czechia.

Drawing attention to his tripartite meeting with Prime Minister Petr Fiala of Czechia and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, and his bilateral talks with President Emmanuel Macron of France, President Rumen Radev of Bulgaria and President of the Government of Spain Pedro Sánchez, President Erdoğan said: “I held a meeting with Mr. Pashinyan, Prime Minister of Armenia, as well. I sincerely believe that we can achieve our goal of full normalization in our region on the basis of good neighborly relations.”

“THE OBSTACLES RAISED BEFORE TÜRKİYE ARE NOT FAIR”

Underscoring that Türkiye’s primary expectation from the European Political Community that it strengthened Türkiye-EU relations and contributed to Türkiye’s membership process, President Erdoğan noted: “Our country has a vital importance in terms of addressing such fundamental issues as security, defense, terrorism, migration, energy supply security, healthcare and supply chains. Türkiye is irreplaceable when it comes to overcoming the challenges the European Union is faced with and in defining the international role of the Union. I have seen that this reality has started to be acknowledged by our European friends as well. I have underlined that the obstacles raised before Türkiye are not fair, and that what is more this situation jeopardizes the European Union very interests. We believe that more visionary and more strategic decisions on this issue should be taken from now on. We expect the European Union to advance the Türkiye-Union relations on the basis of a perspective of accession without giving in to some countries’ interests and ambitions. The ongoing developments lay bare the fact that Türkiye is a key country both for the Union and Europe.”

“TÜRKİYE’S VALUE IS GETTING BETTER UNDERSTOOD”

Underscoring that Türkiye’s mediatory and facilitative role in the Russia-Ukraine war was appreciated, President Erdoğan noted that Türkiye had been making great efforts to stop the bloodshed since the very first day of the war and avert the casualties as well as the destruction, and added: “Despite all the setbacks, we consider the opening of the grain corridor and the ensuring of the exchange of prisoners to be each an important diplomatic achievement. The value of Türkiye being in a position where it can hold talks with both sides, have sincere dialogues and where both countries have confidence in our country is getting better understood. As a matter of fact, many European leaders that we have met with today have praised Türkiye’s diplomatic moves. Although the unacceptable developments on the ground make it harder for us, with the understanding that the worst peace is better than war, we maintain our efforts in order for the conflicts to end. That being the case, we see that some EU-member countries choose to increase tension and provocations instead of cooperation and good neighborly relations with Türkiye. Let me hereby underline that Türkiye does not have an eye on any country’s land, sovereignty, or rights. All we do is to work to defend the interests of our country and the Turkish Cypriots. We do not want tension with anyone, or with any of our neighbors.”

“THE REALITIES IN THE ISLAND SHOULD BE ACCEPTED FOR A LASTING SOLUTION”

Pointing to Türkiye’s desire to resolve the problems in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Aegean within international law, President Erdoğan said: “I expect the European Union to call on our counterparts to dialogue at bilateral level rather than supporting unjust and unlawful initiatives under the pretext of ‘union solidarity.’”

“The only key to solution in Cyprus is the acknowledgement of the sovereign equality and equal international status of the Turkish Cypriot people. The realities in the Island should be accepted for a lasting solution,” stressed the President, and said: “Let me note that as Türkiye we want to enhance our relations with European countries, and stand ready for cooperation in advancing our membership process.”

Answering reporters’ questions following his remarks, President Erdoğan, in response to a question about his meeting with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan of Armenia, said the talks between the two countries were being maintained through special envoys, and that a sincere atmosphere prevailed in his meeting with Mr. Pashinyan. “Some requests were made at the meeting. We instructed both our Foreign Ministers and special envoys regarding these requests. Foreign Ministers will hold a talk, likewise our special envoys will meet, and we will take necessary steps according to the results of these meetings.”

In answer to a question whether Greece’s recent provocations and its policies towards migrants were on the agenda of the bilateral talks he held on the sidelines of the Summit, President Erdoğan said their policies were still based on lies, and that whenever Türkiye called for a meeting with the littoral states,’ they would not accept, but that expected Türkiye to take steps beforehand. “We do not have anything to discuss with Greece for the time being. We will see what time brings. Hopefully we will find chance to hold a talk.”

As regards migration, President Erdoğan said: “It is not easy to summarize all this. First of all, the European Political Community is not an alternative to the European Union. It is a separate body. I guess following this first-ever meeting held by Czechia, a final declaration will be issued. What was spoken at the summit will be in that declaration.”

“NEARLY 550 THOUSAND SYRIANS RETURNED TO THEIR LANDS”

In answer to a question about the possibility of a meeting with Syria's Bashar al-Assad, President Erdoğan said: “As of now, of course, such a thing is out of the question. However, I am not a politician who is used to say it is impossible. Therefore, when the time comes, we may take the path of talking to Syria’s president. Currently, low level meetings are already being held. However, it is our desire that all terrorist groups are cleared of the area. And following that, we are taking steps to accelerate the return there by building brick houses. With regard to the return process, nearly 550 thousand Syrians returned to their lands so far.”

“Surely, the Russia-Ukraine war delayed in some sense the steps to be taken in the region. Because, Russia has an active role in the events in Syria, so do Iran and the coalition forces. And the coalition forces, the US in particular, are giving significant support, weapons, ammunition and equipment support to terrorist organizations. Our officials are holding talks with the US officials in due time, and we always ask them to clear the northeast and the entire north of Syria of them. Have we achieved what we want? No, we have not, but we are pursuing it. We continue,” President Erdoğan said.

A reporter asked: “When you said ‘we may come suddenly one night,’ did you actually mean ‘we may attack Greece’?” President Erdoğan answered as follows: “You actually got the essence of it. This is not just for Greece. No matter which country is attacking or harassing us, our answer will always be: ‘We may come suddenly one night.’ They should know that. They should understand that. Considering that you get it, they probably get it as well.”

“WE WANT TO WARM THE TÜRKİYE-AZERBAIJAN-ARMENIA RELATIONS AND SETTLE THE ISSUE”

Answering a question relating to his meeting with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan of Armenia, President Erdoğan recalled the ongoing talks between the two countries’ special representatives as well as the ongoing efforts undertaken by the two countries’ respective foreign ministers on a wide range of issues.

Underlining that Ankara wants to warm the relations between Türkiye-Azerbaijan-Armenia and settle the issue as soon as possible, President Erdoğan said that Türkiye has no preconditions whatsoever for the normalization of relations with Armenia. The President added that Ankara would take steps to open the borders and clear the way for land, rail and air transportation once Azerbaijan and Armenia reach an agreement.

Asked about Sweden’s NATO membership process, President Erdoğan noted that he exchanged words with Sweden’s former prime minister and foreign minister on the sidelines of the European Political Community meeting. Stressing that he talked openly with them, President Erdoğan said: “We told them everything clearly during this meeting. We won’t have a favorable view of Sweden so long as terrorist organizations continue holding rallies in Sweden and terrorists stay at the Swedish parliament.”

“SWEDEN IS A PLACE WHERE TERRORISM RUNS RAMPANT”

In response to a question about Finland and Sweden’s NATO membership bids as well as about his talks with Prime Minister Sanna Marin of Finland, President Erdoğan stated: “In fact we had a short meeting with her but it went well. I told her that Türkiye’s relations with Finland are different from its relations with Sweden as Sweden is not a country where terrorism runs rampant. Sweden, however, is a place where terrorism runs rampant. NATO needs to make a decision about Finland and Sweden. If NATO makes a decision in favor of Finland, we too will do our best in this regard.”

“I AM PROBABLY THE ONLY LEADER WHO CAN EASILY TALK WITH BOTH OF THE LEADERS”

In answer to a question about Türkiye’s role in the peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, President Erdoğan noted that he is probably the only leader in the world who can easily talk with both Mr. Putin and Mr. Zelensky. Underscoring the importance Ankara attaches to the exchange of war prisoners between the two countries as well as to the ongoing efforts as regards the shipment of fertilizers and grains, President Erdoğan added that he would thoroughly discuss the issue with his Russian counterpart in a phone call due for the next day.