President Tayyip Erdoğan went to Washington, the capital of the USA, to attend the NATO Heads of State and Government Summit. Accompanied by his wife Emine Erdoğan, Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan, Minister of National Defense Yaşar Güler, and MIT Director İbrahim Kalın, Erdoğan held a press conference at Esenboğa Airport before the visit.
Stating that they will hold consultations to strengthen NATO’s deterrence and defense structure and strengthen the allies’ capabilities, Erdoğan said, “Our summit has a special meaning as it coincides with the 75th anniversary of NATO’s establishment. We will follow up on the decisions we made in Vilnius last year.”
WE ARE THE BACKBONE OF THE ALLIANCE
Stating that the Washington Summit will once again record the fact that NATO has a central role in the security of the Euro-Atlantic region, Erdoğan noted the following: “Turkey is one of the top five allies that contribute the most to NATO’s missions and operations . We are doing more than our part in terms of burden sharing. We are among the countries that are the backbone of NATO with the means and capabilities we have developed on land, at sea and in the air. The importance we attach to the alliance is clear in this period when threats are diversifying and increasing.”
THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY WAS INSUFFICIENT
“We will bring up the ongoing massacres against the Palestinian people in Gaza, where our common values are being tested for sincerity. We will emphasize that the international community is inadequate to stop Israel in the face of this dire situation and that it will not be possible for the global consensus to breathe easily without establishing a just and lasting peace in Palestine. While bringing all these issues to the highest level of the agenda, I will also discuss our assessments regarding them in the bilateral meetings I will hold with the heads of allied states and governments.”
WE HAVEN’T GOT WHAT WE WANTED YET
President Erdoğan made the following assessments when asked, “Do you think Turkey is receiving sufficient support from its alliance partners in its fight against terrorism? Can you list your concrete expectations from allies?”: “Of course, are we in the position we want with NATO at this point? I am saying this openly and sincerely, we are currently working to overcome these. We have not yet been able to get what we want and expect, especially with NATO regarding Israel-Palestine. I hope that we will bring these issues back to the agenda of our meetings in the US and get the results we expect. My Foreign Minister and Minister of National Defense are having meetings. We will warn them about this point with all these meetings.”
POSITIVE STEPS TAKEN IN DOHA
When asked about the latest status of efforts to establish a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, Erdoğan reminded us that there were very serious talks in Doha for a ceasefire. Emphasizing that the Mossad Director went to Doha and that some positive steps were taken in the talks in Doha, Erdoğan said, “Those steps have not been finalized since then. Of course, we are following the process patiently. Both our Intelligence Director and our Foreign Minister are following the process. God willing, we will get the result we expect from here soon.”
Flag welcome
President Erdoğan, who went to Washington to attend the NATO Summit, was welcomed by Turkish citizens in front of the hotel where he will be staying. Holding banners that said “Welcome” and Turkish flags, the citizens chanted the slogan “Turkey is proud of you.”
We will draw attention to the threat of terrorism
Stating that they will hold the last session of the summit in the NATO-Ukraine Council format, Erdoğan continued as follows: “Our expectation from the summit is to obtain results that will take into account the national security sensitivities of the allies and strengthen the alliance solidarity and the spirit of unity. The implementation of the decisions we made in Vilnius regarding the fight against terrorism and the removal of obstacles to the defense industry trade among the allies is important in this regard. In the talks we will hold, we will draw attention to the increasing threat of terrorism, especially in our immediate environment and in the world. We will also underline that NATO’s efforts must be increased in terms of carrying out a determined and holistic fight against terrorist organizations.”
WE PRESERVE OUR PRINCIPLED STANCE
“Turkey’s commitment and support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence is well known to everyone. While planning the steps to be taken to support Ukraine, we also maintain our principled stance that NATO should not be made a party to the war. We have stated from the very beginning that there will be no losers in just peace. To this end, we have done our part from the very beginning, starting with the Istanbul process, first to ensure a ceasefire and then to pave the way for a lasting peace. Every day that the guns speak, blood is shed and lives are lost shows how right we are.”
Our position in NATO will be strengthened
President Erdoğan answered the question, “What are Turkey’s expectations from the NATO Leaders’ Summit?” as follows: “We are one of the top five countries in NATO. I say this in terms of financial support and also in terms of adding strength to NATO. This is Turkey’s situation here. When we say the top five countries, we are not just saying this. This is now an approach for all NATO member countries. They all view Turkey the same way. We are continuing and will continue to strengthen our position in NATO from now on. What are our expectations from here? Whatever we discussed and talked about in Vilnius, of course, both my Foreign Minister and my National Defense Minister confirm the same situations in the meetings they have held in the upcoming period.”
We will not tarnish 13 years of work
President Tayyip Erdoğan reacted strongly to the scenarios presented regarding the refugees. Erdoğan, who chaired the Central Executive Board (MYK) meeting held the previous day at the AK Party Headquarters, also evaluated current issues. It was learned that Erdoğan, who reacted to the scenarios presented regarding the refugees, said, “We will manage the process without harming our brotherhood in relations with Syria, including the return of the refugees. We will not allow street gangs to stain our 13-year-long efforts.” It was reported that Erdoğan used the expressions, “It is just beating around the bush” regarding the early election discussions. It was recorded that Erdoğan, referring to the changes in the cabinet and party, said, “We started with the change of 2 ministers and 7 provincial chairmen, the flag change will continue. There are provinces where we plan to change the flag.”
TRNC can become a full member of TDT
When asked about the TRNC’s participation in the Organization of Turkic States (TDT) Informal Summit held in Shusha on July 6, Erdoğan made the following statements: “The TRNC is already a full member of the Organization of Turkic States in our eyes. Their approach, especially Azerbaijan’s, has almost reached the same position as ours on this issue. As you know, the TRNC was present at the last Shusha Summit. Our friends Cevdet Bey and Hakan Bey were also present at the summit. We are working on how to bring the TRNC to full membership in the upcoming process. We are developing this with the Turkish states with which our law is at the most advanced level among the Turkish states. We are also developing the relations of the TRNC President Ersin Bey with the heads of those states as much as possible.”
