President Erdoğan spoke at the joint press conference with German Chancellor Scholz

 

Speaking at a joint press conference with Chancellor Scholz of Germany, President Erdoğan said: “One of the important topics we have focused on with Mr. Chancellor Scholz has been our cooperation in defense industry. We want to improve our cooperation, leaving behind some setbacks experienced in the past in the supply of defense industry products.”

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Chancellor Olaf Scholz of Germany held a joint press conference following their bilateral meeting at Dolmabahçe Presidential Office in Istanbul.

Voicing his pleasure over hosting Chancellor Scholz of Germany and his delegation in Türkiye, President Erdoğan drew attention to the extensive relations Türkiye has with its NATO-ally Germany, and added: “The recent mutual high-level visits between our countries are obvious manifestations of this fact. Our social relations and common interests are the engines of these relations.”

“ISLAMOPHOBIC, XENOPHOBIC FAR-RIGHT MOVEMENTS ARE ON THE RISE IN EUROPE”

President Erdoğan said: “One of the important topics we have focused on with Mr. Chancellor Scholz has been our cooperation in defense industry. We want to improve our cooperation, leaving behind some setbacks experienced in the past in the supply of defense industry products. I would like to note once again that I appreciate my treasured friend Mr. Scholz’s efforts on this issue. The Turkish community in Germany has naturally been on the agenda of our talks. Islamophobic and xenophobic far-right movements are on the rise in Europe. Those movements, which have achieved a strength so as to be a partner to the power in many countries, worry our brothers and sisters living abroad. We have discussed particularly the unifying attitude the German government has been pursuing. We have agreed on the importance of combatting terrorist organizations, PKK and FETO in particular, and waging a joint fight against terror.”

“THE HUMANITARIAN TRAGEDY IN THE REGION CONTINUES”

Stating that he has shared his views and expectations with German Chancellor Scholz about Türkiye’s relations with the European Union, President Erdoğan noted that he has stressed at the talks that EU’s steps for especially the update of the Customs Union and visa liberalization will benefit everyone, and went on to say: “The genocide Israel has been carrying out in Gaza and the occupied Palestinian territories and the attacks on Lebanon have been another important topic we have discussed. Unfortunately, the humanitarian tragedy in the region continues. As I have repeatedly stated, it is a must for us the international community to do our best in order for an immediate ceasefire to be ensured, for humanitarian aid to be delivered and in order to put the necessary pressure on Israel.”

Pointing out that as long as the massacres in Palestine and Lebanon continue, peace cannot prevail in the region and beyond, President Erdoğan underscored that over 50 thousand people have been killed in the region, and said: “We expect all conscientious and sagacious political actors to assume responsibility and say ‘No’ to Israel’s aggressive policies. Türkiye will maintain the conscientious stance it has been displaying since the very first day.”

Following his remarks, President Erdoğan answered reporters’ questions.

Answering a question about the genocide in Gaza, President Erdoğan noted that a massacre, during which over 50 thousand people have been killed regardless of their gender or age, has been going on in the region, President Erdoğan drew attention to the applications made to the International Court of Justice, a process which has started with South Africa and includes Türkiye.

Also touching upon Israeli Foreign Minister’s statements about himself, President Erdoğan noted that he expects reporters to find out why the Israeli Foreign Minister has made such a statement against the President of Türkiye.

“OUR DOORS HAVE ALWAYS BEEN OPEN TO REFUGEES COMING FROM SYRIA”

Asked about the issue of migration, President Erdoğan pointed to the 3,5 million Syrian refugees in Türkiye, and continued as follows: “Our doors have always been open to refugees coming from Syria. Particularly during such a period of war, if there is anyone that can come to Türkiye from there, including Lebanon, our doors are always open. What is more, there is a great number of Turkmens in Lebanon now, and we can take our Turkmen kinsmen inside. I have always stated that our doors are always open to them.”

Responding to a question regarding Islamophobia, President Erdoğan said: “Unfortunately, Islamophobia widely continues mainly in Europe. Again, I regret to say that unfortunately Islamophobia, spearheaded by such organizations as PKK and FETO, continues widely in Germany. Today we, together with my treasured friend, Mr. Chancellor, have agreed on waging a joint fight by displaying a common stance to these terrorist organizations. We will maintain this fight against terror in Germany. Both our Minister of Foreign Affairs and our intelligence organization will be in touch with their counterparts and will inshallah maintain this fight in solidarity.”

“ISRAEL CONTINUES ITS MASSACRES MERCILESSLY IN LEBANON”

Answering a question about some countries’ continuing support to Israel attacking Gaza and Lebanon, President Erdoğan stressed that the intention of Israel, the Netanyahu government is to spread this war, and continued as follows: “Obviously Israel’s means in hand are incomparable to other countries. They have now began to a position to use F-35s. Israel has all the means, such as rockets, missiles so on. And what is it doing now? It is now entering a period of extension. And during this period, the war that started in Gaza has now expanded to Lebanon. Unfortunately, Israel continues its massacres mercilessly in Lebanon as well. Netanyahu continues the massacres.”

Drawing attention to the approaches displayed by the West, the United States in particular, President Erdoğan said: “Supplying weapons, ammunition, vehicles and equipment is already not difficult for Israel. They are sent to Israel in big amounts and Israel maintains its massacres in the region with these means. In the face of all this, Türkiye considers what it can do concerning especially food and ammunition. And we are sending our means, through Kızılay in particular, as best as we can to the region, and will continue to do so.”