Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday emphasised the significance of peace efforts in the Middle East and urged countries to focus on creating an atmosphere of peace but not strain.
Erdogan told reporters on a return flight from the 2024 NATO Summit that Turkey wants peace with Syria and expects “everyone who stands for peace to support this historic call.” According to him, the United States and Iran “should welcome these positive developments and support the process to end immense suffering,” as “a fair peace in Syria would benefit Türkiye the most.”
According to Erodogan, positive progress has reached so far and he hopes for concrete steps in the near future, emphasising that a just peace in Syria that respects its territorial integrity is in Turkey’s interest. A possible meeting with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, which he has hinted at in recent days, is in the pipeline as Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan is working with his Syrian counterpart. He said:
We have been striving for years to extinguish the fire in our neighbour, Syria. Our main expectation is that no one will be disturbed by the process in which Syria builds a new future as a united and whole country. Terrorist groups will do everything they can to poison the peace process in Syria. They will plot provocations and set traps. We are aware of all these plans and are prepared.
Erdogan also accused NATO and Western countries of not supporting Turkey’s fight against terrorism. In its nearly 40-year campaign of terror against Turkey, the PKK, recognised as a terrorist organisation by Turkey, the US and the EU, is responsible for the deaths of more than 40,000 people, including women, children and infants.
As a NATO member, we have always conveyed this discomfort to the West. Terrorism has found some degree of support in Western countries, particularly in Germany, France, and the UK. We have often been left alone in protecting our country’s, thus NATO’s, borders from terrorism and eliminating threats. Moreover, assistance and support were provided to terrorists threatening NATO’s borders, which only strengthened their threats, he emphasised.
Erdogan said regarding relations with Iraq, after his visit to the country, the two states noted the significant steps taken by the Iraqi administration in the fight against the PKK terrorist group. The KRG was responsible for the arson and fires, and the Erbil office confirmed the claims, Iraqi Interior Ministry said, according to him.
The Iraqi National Security Council has prohibited the PKK activities in Iraq. This has been reflected in actions on the ground, and cooperation between Turkish security forces and the Erbil administration has been satisfying. These developments in the fight against the PKK are unprecedented and promising, though not entirely sufficient. Our stance towards the administration in Sulaymaniyah, Iraq will not change, including the airspace embargo, as long as it does not distance itself from the terrorist PKK.
On Israel’s devastating war in the Gaza Strip, now in its ninth month, which has killed more than 38,300 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and injured some 88,300, according to local health authorities, the Turkish President said:
What those who want to stand on the right side of history need to do is recognise the state of Palestine. A fair, just approach requires this.
Regarding the Ukraine-Russia conflict, Erdogan, in constant contact with both countries over the ceasefire and other important issues, said the following:
We are in contact with both Russia and Ukraine. In doing so, we are striving to be as fair as possible. We have taken a fair step in the Black Sea grain corridor. We have met the demands of both Russia and Ukraine. We are holding discussions with both Russia and Ukraine to reopen the grain corridor. However, we have not yet reached a result. I hope that we can resume operating this corridor,
The Turkish President also commented on the popular vote in France and the upcoming November elections in the US. He said the US media are speculating about possible candidates, but Joe Biden himself said that he would not resign. Regarding France, he said Emmanuel Macron will have to decide who will form the government.
The coalition forces in parliament will do the necessary work, but the final decision rests with Macron. Those on the right side of history should recognise Palestine as a state, as justice and fairness demand this. The momentum for recognising Palestine has already begun in Europe, with countries like Spain, Norway, Ireland, and Slovenia taking significant steps, Erdogan said, again adding that France’s recognition of Palestine would contribute to global peace and stability.
He concluded by saying he opposes Germany’s restrictions on defence sales, as such restrictions are not in line with the principles of the NATO alliance. He also announced a possible visit to China after the UN General Assembly this autumn, expressing hope that President Xi Jinping would pay Turkey a return visit next year. In addition, the risk of World War III is not high, according to him, and he hopes to avoid such consequences, instead offering to work towards solutions that promote stability and co-operation.
All countries should work towards building a climate of peace rather than tension.
