President Erdogan: Turkey Becomes One of the Main Actors of Peace Diplomacy
President Erdogan: Turkey Becomes One of the Main Actors of Peace Diplomacy
Following the Presidential Cabinet Meeting, President Erdoğan said, "Turkey is emerging as one of the key hubs of peace diplomacy. As a result of our efforts, the delegations of Russia and Ukraine came together in our country. After a three-year break, the second meeting was held today, following the first one last week, which resulted in the exchange of a thousand prisoners of war."
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan made a press statement after the Presidential Cabinet Meeting held at the Presidential Complex.
Making statements on the issues discussed at the meeting, President Erdoğan said the following: "We have just concluded the 41st meeting of our Cabinet. In our meeting, we discussed critical issues on Turkey's agenda, especially agriculture, transportation, economy and security. Before moving on to the nature of our consultations, I would like to express our debt of gratitude to our nation on one issue.
"HOW TURKEY CAME BACK FROM THE EDGE OF A DEEP ABYSS IS BETTER UNDERSTOOD TODAY"
The elections of May 14-28, 2023 have gone down in history as one of the turning points of our political life. Our nation made very important decisions about its future in both elections. Instead of a structure with inconsistency problems, internal strife and a tendency to constantly produce crises, they preferred the People's Alliance in the Parliament and our person in the Presidency. Today, I would like to sincerely thank each and every one of my 28 million 835 thousand citizens who once again deemed me worthy of the Presidency with 52.18 percent of the vote.
I would like to express my gratitude to all my citizens who went to the polls and protected our democracy, even if their preferences were different.
When we look back today, we see more clearly how vital the choices made on May 14th and May 28th were. Today, it is better understood how Turkey came back from the edge of a deep abyss. When I think about the developments, debates and divisions in the last two years, I think that this saintly nation with a prayerful tongue has a lot to give. Even the battle we have witnessed in the last week alone is more than enough to see this. Can you imagine, just two years ago, those who wore white shirts and made videos praising each other, are now gracing the headlines every day as the main actors of a fight at each other's throats. They show our young people under the age of 30, who have not experienced coalition periods, why the old Turkey is constantly skidding.... Look, I would also like to express this with all sincerity: The magnitude of the danger that our country has overcome will be better understood in time.
"OUR GOAL IS TO DISMANTLE THE RUSTY CHAINS THAT ARE ATTACHED TO THE ETERNAL BROTHERHOOD OF OUR NATION ONE BY ONE"
Inshallah, our Cabinet will complete its second year in office tomorrow. As the Presidential Cabinet, we have been serving our country and nation with love for two years in complete harmony. In the remaining three years, our aim is to develop our country, raise the welfare level of our people, strengthen our democracy, and remove the rusty chains that have been struck against the eternal and eternal brotherhood of our nation one by one. It is a fact that Turkey has the power, will and democratic maturity to solve all its problems, especially the problem of terrorism. Our Turkey without terrorism process will, God willing, be the anchor and helmet of this.
With each stage that is passed smoothly, our society relaxes and the fusion between the state and the nation increases even more. I always say this, and I would like to emphasize it again today: There is no problem Turkey faces that cannot be resolved, no matter how complex. The most solid ground for discussing our issues is undoubtedly politics. Thanks to 23 years of achievements, our democracy has gained the competence to discuss all kinds of problems within the framework of mutual respect, and moreover, to find solutions to them with common sense. No one doubts this. It is only natural that those who have been feeding on pain and tears for years are worried about the growing possibility of Turkey being freed from its burdens. We have not paid attention to them and we will not pay attention to them. We refer those who insist on being part of the problem instead of the solution to the vast wisdom of our nation.
I would like to take this opportunity to once again express my heartfelt gratitude to all our friends, members of the government and cabinet who have shouldered our struggle to serve the nation and the country during our tenure as Prime Minister and President. May God grant us many more years of service to our nation with determination, enthusiasm and excitement.
Since our last meeting, we have attended very important meetings, openings and visits both inside and outside the country.
On May 13, we discussed our defense projects at the Defense Industry Executive Committee Meeting.
We took important decisions at the 4th Agriculture Council held on May 14th. The online meeting between Turkey, the US, Saudi Arabia and Syria ushered in a new era in terms of lifting sanctions and investments in neighboring Syria.
On May 15, we presented certificates and plaques to 98 brothers and sisters who have completed 10 years, 20 years and 30 years as delegates of the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey.
"RUSSIAN-UKRAINIAN DELEGATIONS MET IN ISTANBUL TODAY"
On the same day, we hosted the President of Ukraine, Mr. Volodymyr Zelenskiy and his delegation in Ankara. On this occasion, we reaffirmed our principled policy to end the Russian-Ukrainian War with a just peace. Today, as you know, the Russian-Ukrainian delegations came together in Istanbul under the chairmanship of Mr. Hakan, and it was a really, really great meeting. As a result of this meeting, this time these prisoner exchanges exceeded a thousand, whereas before there were a thousand prisoner exchanges. Beyond the exchange of over a thousand prisoners, there was also the return of some bodies to each other on both the Russian and Ukrainian sides.
And these figures are really huge. Both Russia and Ukraine have given these figures, and my Foreign Minister and the media have announced these figures to the world public through a press release in Istanbul. This, of course, is very important in terms of showing how important these meetings in Istanbul are. We are indeed proud of this, thank God, Turkey has become a turning point for this issue with Istanbul.
My greatest desire is to bring together the President of the Russian Federation, Mr. Vladimir Putin, and the President of Ukraine, Mr. Zelenskiy, in Istanbul or Ankara — and even the President of the United States, should he agree. If they agree, I would like to meet with them at this meeting and thus turn Istanbul into a center of peace. We will take steps for this after this last meeting.
We were also in Tirana on May 16th to attend the 6th Summit of the European Political Community hosted by Albania. On the evening of the same day, we came together with thousands of our young brothers and sisters at the Young Fest program organized by the youth branches of our party. I would like to congratulate once again our artists who performed at the festival and everyone who contributed to the program.
We celebrated May 19 Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day with a pleasant conversation with young people and national athletes from 81 provinces in our national library.
On May 21, we went to Budapest to attend the Informal Summit of the Organization of Turkic States at the invitation of the Prime Minister of Hungary, Mr. Viktor Orban. Upon our proposal, it was decided to celebrate March 21 as the Organization of Turkic States Nowruz Commemoration and Celebration Day from now on. I wish this decision to be beneficial for the Turkic world.
"WE WILL CONTINUE OUR FIGHT AGAINST THE POLICIES OF SEXUALIZATION THAT HAVE TURNED INTO GLOBAL TYRANNY"
As you know, we declared 2025 as the Year of the Family in our country. We are trying to realize the Year of the Family in accordance with its meaning and importance with different events, programs and projects. At the International Family Forum, where ministers from 26 countries were present, we came together with many valuable names. We will evaluate not only this year but also the next 10 years to implement policies that prioritize the family. In the face of increasing threats, we will take steps to strengthen the institution of the family, to make it easier for our young people to settle down, and to bring our population growth rate, which has been alarm bells ringing, back to the level it should be. Our struggle against the policies of de-sexification that have turned into global tyranny will continue with determination.
On May 24th, we were at the opening of Necip Fazıl Kısakürek Culture and Research Foundation's 'A Poem, A Life, My Dear Istanbul Exhibition'. On the 42nd anniversary of his death, we once again commemorated with mercy and respect the great litigator and idea man Master Necip Fazıl, who has a distinguished place in Turkish literature with the title of Sultanu'ş Shuara.
"AS SYRIA ACHIEVES STABILITY, ALL COUNTRIES IN THE REGION WILL BENEFIT"
On the same day, the President of Syria, my dear brother Mr. Ahmed Shara and his delegation were our guests in Istanbul. After the December 8 revolution, we observe that Syria is rapidly recovering with the support of all brotherly countries in the region, especially Qatar and Saudi Arabia. We are very pleased that European countries have also decided to lift sanctions against Syria following the landmark statements of US President Mr. Trump. As their neighbors and brothers, we will support the Syrian people and government with all our means, God willing.
In today's cabinet meeting, we discussed this issue as well as our measures for the Eid. We will have good news on energy very soon. Syrian Airlines will soon start flights to Turkey. Our AJet company will hopefully organize regular flights to Syria. Apart from these, we will stand by the Syrian people in different fields. As Syria attains stability and peace, we believe that all its neighbors and all countries in the region will benefit from this. I sincerely congratulate the Syrian government for their patient efforts for the unity, stability and integrity of their country despite all kinds of obstruction attempts. May God help and assist them.
On May 25th, we hosted the Prime Minister of another brotherly country in our country. The visit of the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Mr. Shahbaz Sharif and his delegation to our country was meaningful in every respect. The prudence of the Pakistani government in the recent tensions with India prevented the conflict from turning into a catastrophe. Our suggestions have also been in favor of dialogue, calm and negotiated resolution of the problems.
We concluded Ethics Week by signing a Cooperation Protocol on Ethics Education and Ethics Trainer Training signed between our Ethics Committee and the Ministry of Family Affairs.
"WE HAVE CLOSED THE COUP BOOK, NEVER TO BE OPENED AGAIN"
On May 27th, we first participated in the 163rd Anniversary Program of the Court of Accounts and then held the Expanded Provincial Chairs Meeting of our party. On this day, which also marks the 65th anniversary of the May 27th coup, we underlined our determination to protect our democracy. Once again, we remember with mercy the martyred Prime Minister Adnan Menderes and his friends who paid with their lives for their unique services to the nation, the country and democracy.
On the night of July 15th, with the epic of national will we wrote together with our nation against the FETO traitors, we have hopefully closed the coup book in this country, never to be opened again. We will continue to take all necessary measures to prevent our nation from experiencing the same pain again.
"A DEVELOPMENT AND INFRASTRUCTURE MOBILIZATION IS TAKING PLACE IN EVERY PART OF KARABAKH IN EVERY SENSE OF THE WORD"
On May 28th, on the occasion of the Independence Day of Azerbaijan, we were in the city of Lachin in Karabakh. Together with the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Mr. Sharif, we commemorated this important day in a manner befitting the eternal brotherhood of the three countries. During our visit, we also opened the Lachin Airport. I would like to say here with great pleasure: Thanks to the efforts of the victorious leader, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, a development and infrastructure mobilization is taking place literally all over Karabakh after 30 years of occupation. With roads, bridges, tunnels, residential areas and agricultural regions, Karabakh is rapidly healing the wounds of occupation. As Turkey, we are providing all kinds of support to these efforts.
"20 OF OUR STATE GARDENS, WHICH TURN INTO GATHERING AREAS DURING EARTHQUAKES, ARE UNDER CONSTRUCTION"
On May 29th, we celebrated the 572nd anniversary of the Conquest of Istanbul with great enthusiasm and pride. First, we sent off the Osman Gazi Floating Production Platform to the Black Sea. We sent off a giant platform 300 meters long, 56 meters wide, mashallah, such a platform to the Black Sea. Now it will be drilling there for 20 years, God willing.
Then we inaugurated Beykoz, Arnavutköy, Kâğıthane and Sultangazi, Cebeci National Gardens. As we always say, keep going, keep going. I wish that our four new nation gardens, with a total area of more than 428 thousand square meters, will be auspicious and auspicious to our Istanbul.
The construction of 20 of our nation gardens, which have turned into gathering areas in times of earthquakes, is still ongoing, and God willing, we will complete them and put them into the service of our nation. We will continue to follow in the footsteps of Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror, who said, 'Even their dreams cannot reach the places where my power reaches'. Once again, I say may Allah be pleased with that great sultan and his heroic army.
On May 30th, we opened the 2nd Istanbul World Islamic Economy Summit. The next day, we reunited with our non-governmental organizations and successful young people at the 4th Turkey Youth Summit.
Prior to our cabinet meeting, we sent off our new aircrafts that joined our forest fleet to their duty stations today. Apart from these programs, we continued our struggle to serve Turkey uninterruptedly by making many phone calls, receptions and meetings.
"WE BELIEVE THAT PEACE HAS NO LOSERS"
Turkey is emerging as one of the key hubs of peace diplomacy. As I mentioned earlier, as a result of our efforts, the delegations of Russia and Ukraine came together in our country. After a three-year hiatus, the second meeting was held today, following the first one last week, which resulted in the exchange of a thousand war artifacts. The fact that the meeting took place despite yesterday's incident is an important achievement in itself.
Turkey's stance has been clear since the first day of the war. We never want to see conflict, fighting, war and oppression in our region. We believe that peace has no losers. We are making a sincere effort to establish a sustainable peace that both sides can accept.
"TURKEY IS A COUNTRY THAT HAS EARNED THE TRUST OF EVERYONE WITH ITS FAIRNESS"
I would like to bring this important point to the attention of all of you: Turkey is a country that has gained the trust of everyone with its fairness. Turkey is a state whose words, stance and behavior are closely followed. While many countries, including our rivals, speak highly of Turkey's growing influence, the former CHP chairman's vassal comparison of our country is an extremely ugly and insulting approach or rapprochement. His characterization of Turkey as a proxy actor of some powers is a new manifestation of his distorted view of his own country that has never been corrected. Turkey is neither a vassal, nor a pariah, nor a proxy actor of anyone, and this should be known as such.
"WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF ADDING NEW STARS TO OUR SUCCESS IN ALMOST EVERY FIELD"
Turkey is rapidly moving towards full independence in every field, not towards vassalage as the former CHP chairman claims. We well remember the unsoundness of his foreign policy forecasts from his assessments of Syria, where he pontificated that there is neither a bypass nor a parish left.
In the run-up to the May 14-28 elections, it was none other than him who went door-to-door in Western capitals and even boasted of importing economists. Unfortunately, as we condemn him to perdition, he continues his quest to earn a premium by slandering his own state through us. As far as we can see, his column writing, just like his politicking, is not progressing very brightly. While there is plenty of time, I recommend him to improve himself a bit instead of penning marginal theses that no one respects.
We are after big goals, not small calculations like these. Not only in diplomacy, but also in almost every field from transportation to agriculture, education to health, economy to trade, tourism to defense and security, we seek to add new stars to our table of success.
"A HISTORIC WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY HAS OPENED BEFORE TURKEY"
A historic window of opportunity has opened in front of Turkey, God willing. There is no reason to think negatively, to be pessimistic, or to listen to the doomsayers who spread fear day and night. Turkey is safe under the leadership of confident and competent cadres.
In May 2025, our exports increased by 2.7 percent compared to the same month of the previous year and amounted to 24.8 billion dollars. In the first five months of this year, our exports increased by 3.5 percent compared to the same period of the previous year, reaching a total of 111 billion dollars.
"WE WILL WALK TOGETHER WITH FIRM STEPS TOWARDS OUR GOALS"
Another positive development is that our annualized exports of goods rose to 265.5 billion dollars, the highest level in the history of the Republic. Despite all the negativities in the last year, we achieved a net increase of 1.9 percent, i.e. 5 billion dollars, in exports of goods. We estimate that our annualized exports of services will rise to 116.4 billion dollars in May. I congratulate all my brothers and sisters who contributed to this important success, especially our exporters.
Hopefully, we will continue to see the positive results of the economic program we have been implementing for the last two years in different headings in the future. Our nation can rest assured. We will overcome our periodic problems together. We will overcome the obstacles together, and we will take firm steps towards our goals together. I say, may God keep our path and our good fortune open.
I congratulate you in advance on the blessed Eid al-Adha, which we will celebrate on Friday.
Our highways and police units are taking the necessary measures to ensure that our citizens can travel safely, peacefully and comfortably. I expect our citizens to obey the traffic rules and prevent the tragedies that bring fire to our hearts.
As you know, we started to pay our pensioners' 4,000 lira Eid bonuses as of Friday, May 31. In this context, we will make a total of 57.4 billion liras of payments to 15.9 million pensioners until June 4. We are also making the payments of elderly pensions and disability pensions tomorrow. Thus, we will pay a total of 6 billion 300 million liras to 1 million 350 thousand brothers and sisters before the feast. I wish our payments to be auspicious and good luck to our pensioners, disabled and elderly people."