President Erdoğan spoke at a joint press conference with EU Commission President Leyen
Holding a joint press conference with EU Commission President von der Leyen, President Erdoğan drew attention to the fight against DAESH and PKK, and said: “Türkiye is the only country, the only NATO ally that has defeated both of the terrorist organizations on the ground. We will by no means allow these groups to thrive. There is no place for DAESH or PKK and its extensions in the future of our region.”
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen held a joint press conference following their bilateral meeting at the Presidential Complex.
Underscoring that the latest developments have underlined Türkiye’s position as a key country, President Erdoğan noted that the main item on the agenda of their meeting has been the common steps to be taken to revive the relations between Türkiye and the European Union, and said: “We can improve our cooperation through win-win formula and on the basis of mutual respect. In this regard, I am pleased to witness Ms. President attaching importance to close cooperation and dialogue. We have recently spoken on the phone by Ms. von der Leyen. During that call, we have underscored the importance Türkiye and the EU attach to Syria’s stability and security. We have discussed in detail the latest developments in Syria during our meeting today. I have observed that we are on the same page in terms of the establishment of a participatory administration, regarding the preservation of Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity in particular.”
“SYRIA MUST SWIFTLY STAND ON ITS OWN FEET”
Pointing out that the collapsed BAAS regime has left behind a great wreckage after a 61-year-long oppression and darkness period, President Erdoğan stressed that it is impossible for the Syrian people to get through such a heavy burden on their own, and added: “Syria must swiftly stand on its own feet with the strong support of its neighbors, friendly and brotherly countries as well as the EU and international organizations. I hereby would like to make it clear that unfortunately the international community had not, and had not been able to provide sufficient support to the Syrian people while they had been suffering a massacre for 13 years. It is now possible to make up for it. And the path to achieving this goes through supporting the efforts to rebuild and redevelop Syria. With this understanding, we reopened our Embassy in Damascus on Saturday after a 12.5-year-long hiatus.”
Stating that Türkiye will continue to stand with its Syrian brothers and sisters, President Erdoğan went on to say: “Obviously, the country should be prevented from being a hotbed of terror. The fight against both DAESH as well as PKK and its extensions has been one of the main issues we have discussed during our meeting. Türkiye is the only country, the only NATO ally that has defeated both of the terrorist organizations on the ground. We will by no means allow these groups to thrive. There is no place for DAESH or PKK and its extensions in the future of our region.”
“THE HUMANITARIAN SITUATION IN GAZA HAS FURTHER WORSENED”
President Erdoğan continued as follows: “During our meeting, I have told Ms. President that it is now time to put an end to Israel’s oppression in Gaza and its aggression in the region. With the coming of the winter, the humanitarian situation in Gaza has further worsened. Yesterday, yet another nefarious massacre, during which a school was targeted, was carried out.”
Underscoring that nearly all of the 50 thousand Palestinians, who have lost their lives in the Israeli attacks, have been children, women and the elderly, President Erdoğan said: “During our meeting with Ms. President, I have drawn attention to the importance of delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza and establishing a permanent ceasefire. I have stressed that our European friends should put pressure on the Netanyahu government. I have also shared our assessments and opinions about the establishment of a just and stable ceasefire in Ukraine without any delay.”
Pointing out that Türkiye and the EU need a stronger and more institutionalized relation than ever before, President Erdoğan stated: “We, as a candidate country, have such a will. And I believe that the European Commission will display the necessary will with Ms. von der Leyen. I wish that decisions aimed at lifting all the limitations in relations, reviving suspended high-level dialogues, meeting our expectations about the update of the Customs Union and speeding up visa processes until visa liberalization is ensured will be taken at the EU summit to be held two days later. On this occasion, I hope that we will elevate our relations to the level they should be by organizing the Türkiye-European Union Summit as soon as possible.”
