Hosting a fast-breaking (iftar) dinner for the ambassadors and the representatives of foreign missions in Turkey, President Erdoğan said: “We are determined to not make concessions on our rights on Al-Quds. We will never leave our first qiblah to the mercy of a state which feeds off blood, tears and occupation for decades.”
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan hosted a fast-breaking (iftar) dinner for the ambassadors and the representatives of diplomatic missions in Turkey at AK Party headquarters.
“OUR WORLD IS GOING THROUGH A VERY CHALLENGING AND PAINFUL PROCESS”
Addressing his guests after the dinner, President Erdoğan pointed out that the world is going through a very challenging and painful process, and added: “The problems we are faced with pose threats, even if they are at different levels, not only to a particular region but to everyone around the globe. All humanity confronts big challenges stemming from terrorism, violence, racism, discrimination, starvation, poverty, irregular migration, humanitarian crises and natural disasters. No one in the world, no matter where they are, feels themselves totally secure.”
“DIPLOMACY IS THE KEY TO GLOBAL PEACE AND STABILITY”
Stressing that diplomacy is the key to global peace and stability, President Erdoğan noted that diplomacy is the primary way to overcome the current crises and prevent new ones, and added: “Sadly, we cannot make enough use of the means of diplomacy during a period in which we need to apply them much more. We cannot actively use the diplomatic means which would solve bilateral and multilateral problems, improve cooperation and dialogue, and make our world more livable for everyone.”
“THE PALESTINIAN ISSUE IS INCREASINGLY BECOMING A TRAGEDY”
Stressing that many painful examples of that insufficient use of diplomacy are present in Turkey’s near geography, President Erdoğan said: “The Greek Cypriot side’s whims hinder any progress on the Cyprus issue. The Palestinian issue is increasingly becoming a tragedy in which more and more people are losing their lives. The avenues of solution in the Syrian crisis, which has displaced 13 million Syrian and claimed over one million lives over the past seven years, are constantly being blocked by some circles. The ongoing chaos in Yemen, the troubles in Libya, and the situation in Ukraine are the other examples. Innocent people continue to pay the price since the necessary determination are not displayed and diplomatic efforts are not made in all these crises.”
Drawing attention to the populist motives among some politicians, President Erdoğan continued: “While established practices and international law are trampled upon, multilateral agreements, which are the engine of the regional peace, are easily being shelved in a stroke. The pressure and demands of the anti-immigrant, Islamophobic, contentious and extreme right-wing trends over the politics are adding fuel to the fire. Populism-driven domestic and foreign policies are taking more and more captive of many countries, first and foremost the Western states.”
“WE SUPPORT TO THE END THE PEACEFUL USE OF NUCLEAR ENERGY”
Describing the cancellation of the nuclear deal with Iran and the steps taken regarding Al-Quds as the manifestation of that destructive foreign policy which undermines global peace, President Erdoğan stated: “As a country with energy shortage, we support to the end the peaceful use of nuclear energy. We believe that each and every country has that right. And we believe that all must respect this right of the countries which wish to meet their energy need by this means.”
Noting that just as the 450 nuclear power plants in 31 countries don’t pose a threat, those of the others will not pose a threat, either, if strictly overseen, President Erdoğan underlined that the real threat against Turkey and the region rather arises from nuclear weapons.
“THE WHOLE WORLD MUST BE CLEARED OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS”
Stressing that the Middle East must be cleared of these weapons first of all, President Erdoğan said, “I going further; the whole world must be cleared of nuclear weapons. Those who possess over 15 thousand missiles with warheads are at present threatening the world. While they are able to freely employ these weapons, why on earth the missiles with warheads of other countries pose a threat? If we are to be fair and display a just stance, then the countries with nuclear weapons presenting nuclear power plants as a threat doesn’t have any credibility in the world public opinion,” and added that Turkey welcomes other signatory countries’ adherence to the deal in the face of U.S. decision to withdraw from the agreement.
“THE U.S. HAS NOW PALESTINIAN CHILDREN’S BLOOD ON ITS HANDS”
Recalling that the step the U.S. administration took on May 14 in violation of the international law and established practices as well as the OIC and UN General Assembly resolutions caused 62 Palestinians to die a martyr’s death and 2 700 Palestinians to get wounded, President Erdoğan further stressed: “The U.S. administration became party to Israel’s massacres with its latest provocative step. I am telling openly; the U.S. has now Palestinian children’s blood on its hands. Any remarks the U.S. makes on democracy, human rights, freedoms and peace will be totally worthless from now on. It is a clear example of oxymoronic act for an understanding, which pats baby killers on the back, to talk about democracy. It is brazenness and insolence for a mentality, which disregards international law completely, to preach justice to others.”
“WE ARE DETERMINED TO NOT MAKE CONCESSIONS ON OUR RIGHTS ON AL-QUDS”
Recalling that Turkey, as the Summit Chair of the OIC, called the organization for an emergency summit, and that they held an extraordinary OIC summit in Istanbul on May 18 within 72 hours of the aforementioned call with the participation of 50 states, President Erdoğan said: “I would like to take this occasion to once again thank all my friends and brothers who participated in the summit and took a humanitarian stance with us. The summit has openly and clearly demonstrated the Islamic world’s sensitivity regarding the Al-Quds issue. We are determined to not make concessions on our rights on Al-Quds. We will never leave our first qiblah to the mercy of a state which feeds off blood, tears and occupation for decades.”
Stating that they will raise the recent developments in Palestine at the United Nations General Assembly, President Erdoğan said: “I am confident we will get the support of all Islamic countries and those with a conscience.”
“We will continue our fight until Al-Quds becomes a land of peace, tranquility and dignity for all three divine religions,” President Erdoğan said.
“PKK’S RAGS HAVE BEEN USED FREELY FOR YEARS IN WESTERN COUNTRIES”
Drawing attention to the double standards in the international arena in the fight against terrorist organizations, President Erdoğan said: “Those, who raise their voices against DAESH, suddenly becomes silent when it comes to the FETO or the PKK and its variants. The attitude regarding the PYD/YPG even turn into a manifestation of support for the organization to oppress and pressure more.” “PKK’s rags have been used freely for years in Western countries. The organization has been collecting money through extortion and threats. Its members can easily propagate terrorism at the most central squares in their capital cities.”
Pointing out that FETO terrorists are freely roaming many cities in the world, and its ring-leader runs his empire of terror from his mansion in the U.S., President Erdoğan said: “Many European countries have become safe havens for those murderers who spilled innocents’ blood. No progress can be achieved in the fight against terror as long as such an ambivalent attitude is exhibited against terrorist organizations. First you should call a terrorist terrorist and then fight against them in cooperation.”
“In the face of this grave picture, Turkey is taking the necessary measures to eliminate threats to Turkey’s survival at their source,” President Erdoğan said, noting that Turkey, with Operations Euphrates Shield and Olive Branch, cleared terrorist from an area of 4,000 km2, and neutralized nearly 4,500 PKK/YPG terrorists and 3,000 DAESH terrorists.
Source: Presidency