“An honorable solution can be found to every problem that threatens regional stability”

 

Speaking at the 17th Traditional Iftar Dinner with Ambassadors, President Erdoğan, regarding the ongoing attacks on Iran, said: “Throughout this process, we have made intensive efforts to ease the tension, end the bloodshed and facilitate dialogue. We maintain our principled position that prioritizes diplomacy. We believe that an honorable solution can be found to every problem that threatens regional stability, our future and next generations. A new negotiation process is possible, and indeed, essential.”

President and Justice and Development (AK) Party Chairman Recep Tayyip Erdoğan delivered a speech at the 17th Traditional Iftar Dinner with Ambassadors in Ankara.

“THE HUMANITARIAN TRAGEDY IN GAZA IS CONTINUING”

President Erdoğan said: “We are going through a period when we feel a stronger need for Ramadan’s deeply-meaningful messages as well as its calls for peace and solidarity. While we are breaking our fast here at this table of friendship and fraternity, extremely worrisome incidents are unfolding in our region and across the world. The humanitarian tragedy on the ground in Gaza is continuing despite the agreement signed on October 10. Concurrently with the troubles experienced in the entry of humanitarian aid, Israel continues to terrorize the Gazan people through its systematic attacks. Over 640 Gazans have been martyrized in Israel’s attacks over the past five months alone, with nearly 2 thousand innocent people wounded. As with the land registration decision implemented last month, the West Bank is also affected by the Israeli government’s occupation and invasion policies. Since October 7, 2023, over 1,120 Palestinians have been massacred and about 12 thousand Palestinians wounded in the West Bank and Eastern al-Quds. Summary executions, occupation, annihilation and forced displacement increasingly continue in the West Bank, which is under heavy oppression. Taking the international community’s distraction from Gaza as an opportunity, Israel seeks to totally dynamite the path to the two-state solution. The unlawful and expansionist policies pursued by the Netanyahu administration since the declaration of October 10 demonstrate that it does not seek solution, nor does it favor peace. As in the past, Türkiye always stands with the brotherly people of Palestine, and will continue to offer the Gazan innocents every material and moral support.”

“WE OPPOSE THE MIDDLE EAST BEING PUT ON THE SURGERY TABLE AGAIN”

“To all these have been added the attacks on our neighbor Iran as of February 28. Nearly 1,500 Iranians, including over 300 innocent children, have been killed so far in the attacks underway for 10 days. In parallel with the missile and drone attacks originating from Iran, the tension has quickly escalated to a level threatening the stability of the entire region. Due to reciprocal retaliations, the casualties, the scale of the destruction and the cost of the economic crisis are rising asymmetrically. Needless to say that as the war drags on, the situation will unfortunately further deteriorate. Not only the parties to the conflict but also the entire region, even the entire world including Europe and Asia, will pay dearly for new adventures. We have repeatedly witnessed the consequences of the external interventions and geopolitical engineering attempts undertaken over the half a century in the Middle East, as well as the political, societal and economic devastation they caused. As Türkiye, we don’t want our region to experience the same sufferings again. We oppose the Middle East being put on the surgery table, being put under surgery again, just like a century ago.”

“THERE IS NO LOSER IN A FAIR PEACE”

“I would like to underline that Türkiye’s foreign policy is not focused on merely self-interest but also on values. We believe there is no loser in a fair peace, no matter where. Accordingly, we have supported the termination of the Russia-Ukraine war, which has entered its fifth year, through a fair and sustainable peace agreement. Today as well, we have displayed the same stance since day one. We have stated that airstrikes violate Iran’s sovereignty and contravene international law, and that we condemn them. Likewise, we have openly stated that we never approve of Iran’s attacks targeting the brotherly countries, first and foremost the brotherly Azerbaijan and Gulf countries, that this is wrong, and that this would only deepen the shared wounds and sow the seeds of division among brothers.”

“NECESSARY WARNINGS WERE ISSUED TO THE IRANIAN SIDE IN A LOUD AND CLEAR MANNER”

“Last week and today, ballistic elements headed towards our country were timely neutralized and the necessary warnings were issued to the Iranian side in a loud and clear manner. Throughout this process, we have made intensive efforts to ease the tension, end the bloodshed and facilitate dialogue. We maintain our principled position that prioritizes diplomacy. We believe that an honorable solution can be found to every problem that threatens regional stability, our future and next generations. A new negotiation process is possible, and indeed, essential. In your presence, I would like to underscore once more that the war must stop immediately before it spreads further in our region. Despite those who place the export of conflicts, chaos, crises and instability right at the heart of their foreign policy, we are determined to do our utmost to establish a climate of peace and prosperity in our geography, and to fight until the end in this path.”

“WE ARE REVITALIZING THE MODERN SILK ROAD WITH THE CONNECTIONS BETWEEN ASIA AND EUROPE”

“In this fight, we need the support, contributions and the constructive role of everyone, particularly the countries of the region. That is why we insistently promote the notion of regional ownership in the resolution of problems. Along the line extending from the South Caucasus to the Aegean, the Eastern Mediterranean to the Balkans, Africa to Latin America, we seek to advance a positive agenda through an understanding based on mutual respect, equality, and win-win. Investing hugely in our infrastructure, we have built multi-modal corridors between Europe and Asia, including Marmaray, Eurasia Tunnel, the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan, and Mersin Port. We have implemented megaprojects such as Osmangazi Bridge, Istanbul Airport, Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge and 1915 Çanakkale Bridge. We are revitalizing the modern Silk Road with the connections between Asia and Europe. The Trans-Caspian East-West-Middle Corridor, which, via Türkiye, extends first to the Caucasus and then, over the trans-Caspian route, to Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan, followed by Beijing, constitutes the backbone of the Modern Silk Road. Similarly, the Development Road project, the importance of which has become more visible recently, complements these initiatives. With the Development Road project, which we will implement in the period ahead with the support of the other countries in the region, we will be able interconnect a larger geography.”

“WE WILL HOST EXCEPTIONAL SUMMITS IN 2026”

“Day by day, Türkiye is further consolidating its status of being an island of stability in its region and a center of attraction for its surrounding geography. The strong capacity we have built in defense industry over the past 23 years serves as an unshakeable bulwark that safeguards not only our own national security but also the security of Europe and the brotherly countries. I believe that the NATO Summit we will host in July during such a critical period will contribute to peace and stability. The year 2026 will be a year when we will be hosting other summits besides NATO that are exceptional for the Turkish diplomacy. The Organization of Turkic States summit will take place in our country. The COP31 summit, during which decisions of critical importance in the fight against climate crisis will be taken, will also be held in Türkiye.”